Posted 7 June 2017
Housing association rules/law for kitchen/bathroom upgrades
I can't seem to find any information if there are laws/rules on when a housing association must update a kitchen/bathroom.
The situation: Moved into a property with an ancient kitchen in 2013/14 and then in ~2015, about 2 years after moving in someone from the housing association comes knocking to check out the kitchen and bathroom and other things (radiators etc) to see what needs upgrading.
They said the kitchen will get done, radiators too and nothing else. I say great, because they are incredibly old.
A year goes by, nothing happens. I phone them up and enquire, they say it'll happen that current year (2 years ago, 2015/6?). Again nothing happens.
I phone them up again and ask how old my kitchen and bathroom is, and when will they receive upgrades. I am told my kitchen is 15 years old and is due an upgrade as they upgrade kitchens older than 15 years. The bathroom is not due an upgrade until it's 20 years old (15 years old at the time) - I decided to upgrade the bathroom myself a year after moving in, as it was just a bathtub with a carpet floor, disgusting really.
So all of that happened about a year ago or so.
I phoned them up last week and asked again when the upgrades will happen, I was now told 2018/19 financial year, which will make the kitchen ~17/18 years old.
I think I know why the upgrades have not happened, I received a letter through the door the other day saying the housing association is looking to sell their properties to another housing association and are giving me (and everyone else) the run around until they can sell them off to someone else.
So my question is where do I stand here? Are they required by law/local council to update based on age or is it whatever rules they decide? I cannot find anything stating an actual age before upgrading must happen either through google or their website.
I'm based in the north-east of England.
The situation: Moved into a property with an ancient kitchen in 2013/14 and then in ~2015, about 2 years after moving in someone from the housing association comes knocking to check out the kitchen and bathroom and other things (radiators etc) to see what needs upgrading.
They said the kitchen will get done, radiators too and nothing else. I say great, because they are incredibly old.
A year goes by, nothing happens. I phone them up and enquire, they say it'll happen that current year (2 years ago, 2015/6?). Again nothing happens.
I phone them up again and ask how old my kitchen and bathroom is, and when will they receive upgrades. I am told my kitchen is 15 years old and is due an upgrade as they upgrade kitchens older than 15 years. The bathroom is not due an upgrade until it's 20 years old (15 years old at the time) - I decided to upgrade the bathroom myself a year after moving in, as it was just a bathtub with a carpet floor, disgusting really.
So all of that happened about a year ago or so.
I phoned them up last week and asked again when the upgrades will happen, I was now told 2018/19 financial year, which will make the kitchen ~17/18 years old.
I think I know why the upgrades have not happened, I received a letter through the door the other day saying the housing association is looking to sell their properties to another housing association and are giving me (and everyone else) the run around until they can sell them off to someone else.
So my question is where do I stand here? Are they required by law/local council to update based on age or is it whatever rules they decide? I cannot find anything stating an actual age before upgrading must happen either through google or their website.
I'm based in the north-east of England.
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21 Comments
sorted byall baths are slippy, buy a bath mat and take some responsibility yourself
Why do that when you can happily do nothing and expect others to pay for it.
That's pretty scary! I've worked on sites that had live wiring exposed like that and it's incredibly dangerous.
I'd have thought about reporting them to a governing body for sure.
Not sure but you can buy bath mats.
(edited)
And remember, your upgrade, or any other work done by your housing association, is not free [effectively], you're paying for maintenance through the rent you are paying. Possibly why you should be entitled to compensation though if you don't have this in writing you most likely won't get any.
I personally don't think you should concentrate on compensation though, stay focused on getting the work done no matter what the circumstances are. Do make sure to ask them to put anything they promise you it in writing just in case you do have to make a complaint or make a claim or whatever.
Contact the Housing Ombudsman Service for advice if you feel you are running into a wall with your housing association. Shelter may also be able to advise as well, they also cover social housing. Don't waste your time contacting the council unless you're advised to do so. Again, make sure to ask for anything they tell you to put it in writing if you do get in touch with your council.
Good luck and hope your outcome is better than what the housing association I'm with has provided here, cheap and nasty kitchen units which were installed a few years ago and knock off double glazing installed a couple of years ago that have already blown more than once, have replaced two windows already.
Incidentally, any mention of compensation on your housing associations website may just cover maintenance and repairs though may be worth checking just in case.
Good luck.
Afraid not.
I am only wanting this new kitchen as it was promised otherwise i'd be sort of fine using my kitchen. It is functional yes, however very old (needing a new floor at the least) and the layout doesn't leave space for my normal sized fridge freezer and no room for a dishwasher either - modern requirements! And not to mention the drawers don't close properly after a new boiler was installed, the taps are good old fashioned 1 hot 1 cold, etc. But yes it's functional!
I wish they wrote it in writing when I asked them through email, but they did the good old "we'll have someone call you" so no proof there. I'm not sure if they are the kind of company to record phone calls - i've had trouble with ISPs in the past and they are able to review calls to confirm facts, but maybe not in this case.
I'm gonna try and get written proof of upgrades after 15 years, otherwise i'll chase it up again and then go onto the Housing Ombudsman Service or citizens advice. I don't think it's fair that i'm paying rent (that is increased yearly) for outdated crap when I was told I am getting an update to modern standards.