no heating or hot water for 11 days and have 6 month old son. what can i do?

[BigRik86]

basically as the title says folks. i am with a local housing association called home housing.. currently residing in durham. this has went on for 11 days what can i do?!

 

thanks in advance

 

rikki

[Conniff]

Hello big rik. is this because the boiler has broken down ?

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Hi Is there no emergency number to call??

[Conniff]

There are 2 numbers that can be called:

 

General enquiries: 0300 026 0000 (Free phone)

 

Social Care Direct/Initial Response: 0845 850 5010

[BigRik86]

we have been ringing them for days lads.. yes the pump has been broken since the 16/12 they were coming to fix it on the 18/12 and came on afternoon and they said morning... we werent in. we then rang on the 19/12 and said we be in all day thurs 21/12 and then noone been since then. we have temporary blow heaters which are no good for my son. im just looking for advice

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Local RedCross or Salvation Army may have heaters to lend.

[BigRik86]

i have blow heaters but it is not good enough when i have a 6 month old son?

[Conniff]

The only other thing I can suggest is that you ring first thing in the morning and ask if they are coming today, if they say no then tell them they are putting a six month old baby at risk and you are going to get your own plumber and send the bill to them, then ring a plumber.

If it's just the pump, they are standard fitting so all plumbers will have one.

[BigRik86]

they tried to tell me cos i have a "ravenheat" boiler the parts have to be ordered in which is aboslute garbage. 11 days is bad enough for adults but with my son its an absolute shambles

[Conniff]

I'm not a plumber but I would agree with you. It will be a Danfoss or similar not made by Ravenheat though it could have their badge on it.

[stu007]

Hi

 

I would suggest phoning the home housing groups Repairs Number 0345 141 4663 this is also for Out of Hours as well but when you report the repair inform them that this repair was reported on XX/XX/ 2012 ,and the repair is still not completed, with no updates on the repair status nor any agreement by you agreeing to an extension of the repair time limit, nor have you been offered temporary heating as still now heating nor hot water and you are reporting the same repair again and require the following information:

 

* The category the repair is classed as.

* The time limit for repair completion.

* Does this repair come under the "Right to Repair.

 

As you have no heating nor hot water - Home housing should have provided you with at the least temporary heating until repair complete, as for hot water they will say you can boil a kettle or a pan of hot water.

 

You need to make a Formal Complaint to Home about this repair as you should also be kept up to date with the repairs status and if it is going to pass the reapirs time limit they should also inform you of this and ask to extend that repair time limit which obviously they have not.

 

When you write to them (always get proof of posting and keep a good paper trail) and also request the following documents:

 

1. The Repairs Policy and Procedure.

2. Breakdown of the Different Repairs Categories.

3. Procedure if a tenant has no heating and how temporary heating is to issued in these circumstances.

4. Compensation Claim form due to the extra electrical cost of heating their property with no temporary heating issued but having to purchase own electrial heaters(you may not have but they dont know that).

5. Complaints Procedure.

6. Copy of The Right to Repair - As Per The Secure Tenants of Local Authorities - Right to Repair - Regulation 1994

 

You also require to know why the housing has failed in its duty to keep you up to date with the status of this repair as having no heating at this time of year with no communication or when it will be completed nor temporary heating Home has failed in its duty of care to its tenant.

 

Also have a good read of their Service Standards (See PDF) and just think during your repair have they done as stated in these standards as when I looked at it their are a few standards to use against them.

 

This PDF will be useful:

Edited December 28, 2012 by stu007