Help writing letter to Housing Association

Leggitte

You have no working heating in your kitchen, but as this is a shared ownership, aren't you 100% liable for repairs?

henrygregory

TBagpuss wrote: »

Look up the complaints process on your HA's website and follow it. Make any complaints in writing and keep copies of the letters and proof of posting.

Be as clear as you can both about
1. What the issue is
2. Why you belive that they can address it
3. what, specifcally, you are asking them to do.

For instance, in terms of antii-social beahvious, I would only expect them to be able to do anything if you are able to identify a specifc individual and point to a part of the tenancy agreement that person is breaching.

Things like the dog fouling may well fall into the remit of your local council's environmental health department rather than the housing association.

It's possible that the bags of rubbish may fall into this category as well. If you think it is the HA's responsbilioty, be clear about why (e.g. - I understand that the terms of the lease state that all tenants must use the wheelie bins provided and may not put bin bags out. Bags are being left out which are attracting rats and are causing unsanitary and unsightly mess. I would like you to speak to the tenants concerned to remind them of therules, and to make more regualr checks over the next few months until the issue is resolved" (or whatever it is you think that they can, or should, be doing.)

Be aware that if you do make a complaint, you may not be told exactly what is done in response. I used to live in a mixed estate where my immediate neighbours were HA. I made a complaint about one specific neighbour. I found out that the HA had been to see them and also sent them a formal written warning, but I only know that because at that point the tenant came to apologise. The HA did not tell me what steps they had taken.

If there is dog mess in your garden, can you do anything about fencing the garden so it is less accessible? or using 'get of my garden' or similar to discourage dogs ? (if fencing isn't allowed, consider spiky border plants)

Thank you very much. That is really helpful.

parkrunner wrote: »

Unless you have evidence of which neighbours are causing the problem I don't see what the HA can do apart from a general leaflet put through each door.

I think the evidence speaks for its self when you take a drive down our street and compare it to other streets in the estate. We have strict covenants stating that bins must be kept in back gardens other than on bin day, I must be the only resident in the street who follows this rule. The rest are out all over the place all week long. I have asked the housing association several times now to please come and take a look and nothing has changed so they have obviously not been out.

Leggitte wrote: »

You have no working heating in your kitchen, but as this is a shared ownership, aren't you 100% liable for repairs?

The rest of the heating works fine but the electric heater in the kitchen has not worked since day one. I presented my housing association with a snagging list a couple of weeks after I got the key. I was assured it would all be rectified. They have sent the builder out once to fix one item and never been back. I am entitled to a year long defects period to report any defects. I have done so and I have got nowhere with them. They are so uninterested which is a shame as when I was interested in the property, they wouldn't leave me a lone and used pressure tactics to get me to go ahead and make my purchase.

theartfullodger

henrygregory wrote: »

Hi there,


...............etc etc etc.......
I am literally at breaking point.

No offence but I've had way worse problems with properties and neighbours, as I'm sure have many others. Owning property is a long term game and issues often take a long time to fix. Take it easy, have patience, you will get there if calm, polite and put everything in writing, keep copies, follow their complaints process......

......

............ and I am really concerned that the value of my house is going to suffer. .....................

Wait until Brex*t happens (hope it doesn't).


Property prices go up and down. The myth that they always go up is a lie spun by dodgy "experts" and certain politicians.. Prices have always gone up & down, they always will. Stay calm, see what happens long-term