Managing Company stopped Lifts - Help - Advice Welcome

Red-Squirrel_2

Nicki wrote: »

Why would disabled residents be living on the upper fooors of a privately owned block of flats (ie not social housing)? If there was a fire, they wouldn't be able to use the lift so I assume everyone living there is capable of using the stairs even if this would be more difficult for them.

Why would you assume that though? In a fire, disabled people living on upper floors are supposed to stay put behind fire doors and wait for rescue, and fire fighters have equipment to evacuate people who can’t walk. Have you never been in a tall building and spotted the evac chairs in the stairwells?

leslieknope

i agree that provisions should be made for the elderly or medically incapable residents. but do not frame these concerns as you did in the OP, where you asked about whether they should have to pay for you to find alternative accommodation, when nothing you have said suggests you would physically struggle. do what the others have suggested and write a letter detailing the medical concerns of x, y, z residents.do not include your own simple inconvenience in this.but honestly they need to at least sign this letter on their own behalf.

Nicki

Red-Squirrel wrote: »

Why would you assume that though? In a fire, disabled people living on upper floors are supposed to stay put behind fire doors and wait for rescue, and fire fighters have equipment to evacuate people who can’t walk. Have you never been in a tall building and spotted the evac chairs in the stairwells?

My office building is 20 floors high and when I had a period of temporary limited mobility I was told I could not come back to work until I was able to self evacuate from the floor I worked on (at that time the third).

If I had a permanent disability and was able to choose my own accommodation (as in the case of these residents) I wouldn't choose to live in an upper floor flat if I couldn't manage stairs at all

Red-Squirrel_2

Nicki wrote: »

My office building is 20 floors high and when I had a period of temporary limited mobility I was told I could not come back to work until I was able to self evacuate from the floor I worked on (at that time the third).

If I had a permanent disability and was able to choose my own accommodation (as in the case of these residents) I wouldn't choose to live in an upper floor flat if I couldn't manage stairs at all

The OP mentions elderly residents with protected tenancies.

Think outside the box!

HampshireH

To be fair the OP has ignored many comments on this thread


From their lost they must know their neighbours very well and we can only assume that he has had these conversations etc else he wouldn't know what type of tenancy anyone has or what support those individuals may have been offered (and may have declined who knows)?

However the OP also speculates throughout which would suggest he doesn't actually know at all and is also assuming.

2 months notice is plenty of time to have taken some action. It's naive to think you can argue the case on the week of works starting and be successful.

Also why is the freeholder so scary to all residents. No mention as to why this is the case except the OP feels his AST offers no security if the freeholder sees him as a troublemaker.

MonSaveHelp

IAmWales wrote: »

What is it that they have delivered everyday? A haemodialysis machine would remain in the property, and supplies are delivered every few weeks (and even then wouldn't weigh that much).

If they are having that amount delivered daily (and I doubt they are) they need to speak to their renal nurse to see what other options they have.

I have only had the time now to respond to these comments. I am not medically trained. It comes in 5-6 boxes and weights about 70kg - looks like a liquid within those boxes. Something to do with dialysis needed due to failed kidneys. Apparently it is needed everyday.

MonSaveHelp

G_M wrote: »

If you wish to take action:
1) identify a list of all the other residents who have an issue with this, together with their name & floor number
2) for each one, identify their individual issues (eg daily 70 kg medical deliveries to Xth floor; age/mobility; etc)
3) write a letter, specifying the above, and ideally signed by them all, addressed to the freeholder/managgement company/whoever
4) ask for confirmation of the precise dates of the work
5) ask what facilities have been arranged to support the individuals named (eg a porter to carry up medical supplies; a stair lift; specific times of day or night when the lft WILL be operative; etc)
6) ask for an urgent meeting for 2 representatives of those on the list with a manager/director from the company to discuss further before the work starts
7) send the letter by email (for speed) AND by post (for formality)

I imagine that if there are vulnerable people in the building (elderly on upper floors, disabled etc) that the Social Care dept of the council might get involved. Ring their help line for advice.

If, on the other hand, you cannot identify anyone else who is suffciently concerned to put their name to this, then you are on your own and have little chance (or justification?) of success. All you'd be doing is trying to deny the other residents the benefits of a reliable, modern, safe lift.

Thanks. There is useful advice in this. It has been so last minute, but might not be too late. I have been away from this location and was hoping others would take action - which I have found out has not happened.

I think the above is good way of interacting with the management company.

Just needed the type of content and language at this time to put in an email in order to halt any works until a a plan has been agreed for the block.

MonSaveHelp

davidmcn wrote: »

The landlord will think you're some sort of crank. You can't pursue any legal action against them anonymously, and if it really is starting early next week (do you mean within hours?) then at this stage you'd need to get some sort of interim injunction, and possibly explain why it's taken you two months to get around to it if it's really such a major problem.

Was not looking to take legal action. Was just looking at sending something to the management company to halt beginning the works until we have some kind of consensus and help for all the people.

There may be disability/gov housing agencies/council/or community care organisations that could intervene to ensure the right thing is being done.

Hence was looking for advise of what to say to the management company and who to reach out to.

Will take on board any constructive and practical advise.

parkrunner

http://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resources/patient-information/kidney/home-dialysis.pdf

We will provide the dialysis machine and most of the equipment.
You may need to provide small items such as a table. The dialysis
supplies will be delivered to your home every two to eight weeks
depending on how much storage space is available.

MonSaveHelp

Red-Squirrel wrote: »

Or anybody of any age with mobility issues who wouldn't be able to manage the stairs. Surely they have to comply with laws relating to accessibility and disability discrimination, even temporarily?

Thanks. My thinking exactly. Hence was looking for any quote, content or legal requirements for the management company. This may make them think twice about beginning the works until there is compliance (which will give us the time to agree a proper plan).