DIY / Alterations in Council Flat. Advice

WednesdayAdams

Ive moved into a council flat. The previous tenant was living in a state of severe self neglect (council told me this).  The flat was fully gutted and refurbished before I moved in, so it’s in great condition. Except the (enclosed conservatory type) balcony which is in a literally horrific state....holes in the walls and ceiling, mould,  dirt etc.  I think the council were planning to come back and sort it out after I moved in, but the n Coronavirus happened.

So I’m fixing it up myself. One corner of the balcony has been used as a urinal by the previous tenant (or their guests). I’ve managed to clean all the urine stains off with a lot of bleach and scrubbing. But the skirting board on that wall, is literally disintegrating. It ‘looked’ okay , but as soon as I started cleaning there it’s just flaking away. I’m pretty sure the urine has made it rot. It’s definitely beyond repair, because who would want to save a urine soaked skirting board anyway?

Would it be okay for me to just remove the skirting boards completely? And just use some filler to sort out the gap between the wall and floor? 

I’m a bit worried and asking for advice because:

- I have an anxiety disorder and other mental health issues and worry greatly about this type of thing.

- Council only want to be contacted if it’s an emergency (It’s not an emergency, but I need to continue my work here).

- Tenancy agreement says you can do whatever you want with decorating and diy as long as you don’t make ‘alterations’

- I’ve so far spent a lot of time and money sorting this balcony out so I don’t want to do something wrong and get in trouble!

Any advice?

or does anyone think there is a way I could actually ‘save the existing skirting board?

Thanks!

Slithery

It's not an alteration if you're replacing like-for-like. Just replace it with the same type of skirting.

WednesdayAdams

Thanks Slithery, I didn’t think of doing that, I’ve never had to do this kind of thing before. Just need to work out where to get new skirting boards from now. I know The Range i still open during Coronavirus so I will try there. Or maybe Homebase, I think they are still doing delivery. Thank you!!

[Deleted User]

Try any DIY place that does deliveries.  Wickes do skirting boards or you can just get planks of wood and use them.  Its what the council does lol. But can you not wait for a couple of months til the worst of the coronavirus restrictions are over.

Google removing urine smells/stains.  Usually applying a biological washing liquid and vinegar mixture diluted with water works very well.  Urine contains enzymes, bleach is not always the best thing.  However if the skirting boards are rotted, that's just going to get rid of the smell.  You could try getting rid of the smells and filling them.  I buy https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-patching-plaster-15kg/p/0342402 .  If you buy the ready made fillers, they set like concrete and are hard to sand so I prefer using what is in reality plaster powder, just add water.

Use google for any DIY tutorials (Youtube is brilliant).  Its been so helpful when I need to do something I'm not sure of.