have i got any rights?

[peza2605]

bit of a rant at the same time here,but just wondering if anyone knows anything about this.

last year we started having trouble with the boiler/central heating basically if we use it the tank in the loft overheats and sounds like it will explode, anyway ive been waiting for this repair to be done since last year. phoned up housing association AGAIN on friday about it,noone been since and its freezing here.
NOTHING BEEN DONE FOR A YEAR.

i have problems with the dogs next door, they get let out in the garden and can be barking none stop for anything from 5 mins to an hour, i work nights, i keep getting woken up. the housing association have been told about this several times NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE.

i get up tonight to find a letter off the housing association saying im £300 in arrears something to do with housing benefit (which i hate having the last time i had this same thing happened) and they going to repossess. i just left a message on the housing officers phone saying if they sorted out repairs as quick as they send letters out id be a lot happier.,with a few expletives im afraid because im very very angry about this.

anyway if this repair is not done by friday have i got any rights about this or am i gonna be out on the streets because im not paying rent for a freezsing house anymore.

ps next doors dogs are barking again.

[mathare]

I'm no expert in these matter so I can't give you much in the way of advice but the Citizens Advice Bureau probably can, have you spoken to them about this?

[peza2605]

Thats one of the places im going to mat, didnt get the letter till tonight though. Trouble is im at work tomorrow as well.

[mathare]

If you have any evidence that you have contacted the housing association before about the repairs then take that to the CAB too when you see them, plus any evidence that you have mentioned the dogs too. If you know when you phoned the housing association each time and who you spoke to that would help I'd expect.

Oh, and good luck with it all :thumbs :hearty

[peza2605]

If you have any evidence that you have contacted the housing association before about the repairs then take that to the CAB too when you see them, plus any evidence that you have mentioned the dogs too. If you know when you phoned the housing association each time and who you spoke to that would help I'd expect.

Oh, and good luck with it all :thumbs :hearty

cheers mat

[John]

If you know when you phoned the housing association each time and who you spoke to that would help I'd expect.

When you call anyone up like this, always get from them: Their full name, their unique ID number (each person has one of these in a company like British Gas or BT for example) and log the date and time of the call. That way, they can't give you any bull crap and if they do, they'll get a rollocking off their boss because you'll know who's at fault.

Good luck with sorting it out, sounds like a nightmare. Why do the dogs bark, what are they barking at?

[peza2605]

trouble is i havent been doing that. to be fair the dogs are just doing what dogs do, just barking to defend where they are,they only have to hear the slightest thing,but they just leave them out there doing it even though they are in.

one thing i have on my side is someone else who works nights with me lives round the corner and he gets woken by them too,so he is going to complain also.

[Godspot]

I have a citizens advice handbook in front of me & from what I can work out, you being with a housing association your landlord sounds seriously at fault regards your boiler:

He is responsible to have it regularily checked over (at least once a year) - he/they must keep a record of inspection dates, any defects identified & any remedial action taken. You must be given a copy of this record. Checker should be Corgi registered.

If you are concerned that an electrical appliance is not safe you could call Consumer Direct (0845 404 0506)

I would talk to the CAB about this but if you repair it yourself you can claim compensation, ask them about Right to Repair schemes.

As far as the dog barking goes (yes I know, woof, woof!) but again you being with a housing association - if anything like mine, they will probably ask you to record any disturbing noise.

As for the repossession, there will need to be a civil court hearing & it will be in your interests to be present, again, talk to CAB, they should put you onto these people:

http://england.shelter.org.uk/home/ who in turn can arrange to have someone speak for you or put your case across. (Most helpful in my situation around 8 months back.)

So in answer to your question, I know we're slipping back into the dark ages but YES, for the time being, you still have some rights. Hope some of that helps. Good Luck!

[peza2605]

cheers matey, will be looking into it when ive had some sleep

[Win2Win]

The dogs is a nosie issue with your local council. If they agree with you it is a problem they will serve notice on the neighbours and the housing association.

Your boiler should have been sorted within 'reasonable time'.

I hope you have everything in writing, I always use recorded delivery for any 'issues' I have with anyone.

[peza2605]

thanks everyone for advice, have just had a long "chat" with the housing people explaining my point of view shall we say. someone coming this afternoon to look at boiler. its a start. got rent sorted too.