Council Housing Leak - What Happens?

scarletspy

My grandmother and I moved into an amenity council house in January last year. It was a brand new building when the end of year defect inspection came up I mentioned that we were getting slugs in our kitchen. When the builders came to make repairs they said the slugs weren't getting in the door and I pointed out that the sealant between the bottom of the kitchen cupboards and the floor had came away as the house settled. I was told that they didn't have the right colour to reseal as only the plumber has clear sealant. That was a few weeks ago.

I phoned the council yesterday to report a couple of problems the builders didn't fix during the inspection including the slug problem and they said they would send an inspector round today.

The inspector pulled the baseboard under the sink away and put his phone in to take a picture. He told me he thought I might have a leak and sent round the plumber and joiner. They pulled everything out and discovered that I so have a leak. It's a slow leak that the plumber thinks has been there since the house was finished - before I moved in!! He said it's black and has spread to the kitchen outside door (I had seen this but thought it was a mark in the door) and has leaked through the wall to my nana's room and her walk in wardrobe floor. He said that the whole kitchen will need to be pulled out, a piece of my nana's wall will need to be cut out and the floor replaced. I asked if I would have to move and he said he didn't know that was up to the powers that be. These aren't things you expect from a brand new house!

I'm so mad! I can't believe that's been leaking since before we moved in. I think he said it was a loose fitting or something. Plus, my nana is very prone to urine and chest infections and she's had that dampness in her room all this time without us noticing. She's been in hospital twice this year with infections and I'm wondering if the mold/dampness they found is partially responsible. The plumber said it was black.

So anyone in the know...what do I do in this situation?? The plumber said he would let the inspector know and they'd get in contact with me but I'm really worried about my nana's health. Also, would we have to move do you think? My mother said they might put us up in a hotel until the work is done but I have 2 dogs and 2 cats. What's the usual procedure with things like this?

Also, who can I complain to about this regarding the effect on my nana's health? Is this something that could/should have been avoided?

theartfullodger

She (Nana..) reports the fault(s) in line with the landlord's (presumably council?) process & procedure which she was probably given paperwork about. In her shoes I would also report by letter, keeping a copy.


And nana should complain following council's complaint's procedure: Perhaps a relative might help her draft the letters??

See e.g.
http://www.slough.gov.uk/housing/repairs.aspx
&
http://www.slough.gov.uk/council/complaints-and-feedback/customer-feedback-and-complaints.aspx

Does she have a support or social worker?