Hole Where Fireplace Was, Council?
Years ago the council removed our fire place and put in a heating system. However there is still a massive hole where the fire place was, my mum is sometimes afraid to ring and ask for these types of things, so i’ve said I’ll do it for her. Our heating is currently pointless as all the hot air just go through the hole outside.
Also 2 of out lights have broken, not the bulbs but the electric light fitting.
Would the council charge us anything? or would it cost us?
Many thanks for any information you can give, I just want to be a bit prepared before I ring.
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December 31, 2009 @ 7:26 pm
If you are paying the council rent then they MUST provide you with a wind and weatherproof home – clearly this hole is preventing that…different councils have different rules and I would check out my rights with a local Citizens Advice or Adviceworks or even a lawyer with a free first consultation. The council shouldn’t be charging for repairs to maintain their building
December 31, 2009 @ 7:57 pm
There are government grants exactly aimed at homes,like your mums,to draft proof home for free,be it council,private landlord or privately owned.If you get in touch with the council,
one stop or even by leaflets put through your door by private insulation firm,they will tell you how to put in a claim.
As i say it will cost nothing to have your home insulated
for free.
January 1, 2010 @ 12:30 am
Not sure what you mean is the heating system in a completely different position, is the fire place now unused.When you say the hole do you mean the chimney. Some old fires have a flap just inside for reducing the air flow this could be closed, if the surround has been removed it could be bricked up, or at least boarded up, you must remember to put an air brick or gap at the bottom to allow the chimney to breath. As for the light I should tell the council in fact tell the council about everything and that you are worried about the expense. good luck
January 1, 2010 @ 6:49 am
Fill the hole up with a coat or something thick and then a piece of styrofoam would help a lot. I would think it shouldn’t cost you any thing to get something fixed that is not yours to begin with. Unless its in the agreement that you take care of existing problems.
January 1, 2010 @ 7:26 am
If your housing association/council have a website, then they’ll have a ‘contact us’ facility too. Type them into a search engine. Email them with digital pics (they have far more impact than a telephone call). Alternatively, telephone saying you’d like to book an appointment for your housing officer to call round to your Mother’s address, make a note and be there yourself too. The council shouldn’t charge you for these repairs (that is why you pay rent).