Council flat disrepair - damp and possible leak from upstairs / wasted my money

coconutcurls

Hello

Wasn’t sure how to phrase the title. 

After saving for two years, I finally carried out some much needed decorations to my council flat - I have a secure tenancy - I’m not good at DIY and the last tenant did a very bad DIY job so I was afraid of making it worse, so got a contractor in to do the living room, kitchen and bathroom. 

The bathroom had a lot of mould on the wall and ceiling, old painting peeling off etc and I didn’t realise that the council was responsible for fixing this so I just paid the contractor to do so and it looked absolutely perfect. 

But about 2 weeks after, water damage started to creap up in the barhroom again. There is no mould but the new paint is peeling at some places. The windows and door are partially open 24/7, only two people using the shower. 
And I remember that just as the contractor was working in my home, someone knocked on my door (I think those people who help tenants with disrepair) to tell me that upstairs was having a leak and if I had one too or if it affected me. I said no because I thought my mold problem was lack of ventilation and maintanance on my part and I was due to fix it privately anyway. 

So I have been contacting the council for over two weeks now, sent them photos of before, after (the day the contractor finished and the bathroom looking perfect) and how it is now but so far no response. 

What can I expect the council to do and what is the best route?
The bathroom looked perfect on the 20/09 but now is already wrecked again. No mould (so not a lack of ventilation) but new paint bubbling and  peeling off and stains coming from behind the mirror 

Mildreds_Earrings

Hello there, that's good you provided before and after photos. Take names of the people you speak to, and let them know you expect to receive a response within xx days (check Council website response times). Be clear and politely explain exactly what you want, without being rude or demanding. Send a follow up email to confirm the above. 

However, the Council may simply state that you need to claim from your contents insurer. It is their responsibility to repair the leak but not to compensate you for the damage in your home. I work in social housing and that's what we would tell you. You can ask for a contribution as an act of goodwill, but the Council may not be obligated to compensate you for the damage caused to your home.

All the best 😊

coconutcurls

Thank you Mildreds

I’m thinking in terms of fixing the root problem, because I don’t want to paint my bathroom every two weeks. Compensation never crossed my mind. 

So, if the water damage was caused by a leak upstairs, where do I stand? If upstairs was fixed, my place would not be getting worse by the day?

I’m thinking about going upstairs and asking what their problem is and how the council is responding even though I don’t know them. Is that a good idea?

ThisIsWeird

That's the weird thing, Coco - you seemingly had someone investigate a leak occuring upstairs a good while ago, so you'd have thought it would have been sorted then!
Bottom line - we don't know your paint issue is being caused by that leak. It may possibly be caused by the aftermath of the now-fixed leak, say if it pulled 'salts' out of the wall with it, and this is causing a lack of adhesion of the new paint?
We just don't know.
Q - does the wall also look or feel damp? Any stains? Or is it 'just' bubbling paint?
Any chance of photos?

FlorayG

Absolutely get friendly with the people upstairs
As for the leak - one of my friends in social housing has been waiting for a repair to a confirmed roof leak for over 12 months, so you really need to hassle to get that fixed before you redecorate. You might get some costs towards that paid and you might not, depends on your relationship with your landlords

coconutcurls

ThisisWeird

I know nothing about those things. 
When the man knocked on my door asking about repairs and such, initially I thought he was a council officer, when it became clear he was working for those firms who sue councils, I glazed over. To be honest I did not believe what he was saying about upstairs. We get a lot of cold callers and scammers for all kinds of things. 

Also I thought my bathroom problems was due to my own lack of maintanance rather than a leak upstairs. I thought the council itself or the neighbour would notify me of a leak so bad that could affect me. I’m naive maybe.