Should I bill the housing association?

orangeapple57

So my dfg finally got granted after 6 years of fighting over some OTs wording. Only the cowboy's they employed messed up and it's just cost me £280 to put it right with a landscape gardener who's said the work done is in breach of building regulations so doesn't know why it's been left like this. I had a huge cry and fight because they were going to leave me with a 6" step preventing me getting my chair to it's charge point. I had to wait a few more days and they came out agreed to all this work and are now refusing to finish the job. I needed to install a trench of gravel for the lights to see the mis-aligned concrete to park on my driveway. They refused and I was left with an unlevel front garden I waited since July for safety rims on my ramp and instead of wooden scaffolding boards I've got some left over slabs from another job slapped on the the side of my ramp (not much of a safety hazard like a nice sharp patio slab edge!) I'm super stressed fighting off every corner from the discrimination I face. I'm now enforcing a design they 'decided' on for me.... Not WITH me. 

Formal complaint ignored. SS washed their hands with me and have no recollection of a home assessment of needs! Arrhggg 

wkd

orangeapple57 said:

So my dfg finally got granted after 6 years of fighting over some OTs wording. Only the cowboy's they employed messed up and it's just cost me £280 to put it right with a landscape gardener who's said the work done is in breach of building regulations so doesn't know why it's been left like this. I had a huge cry and fight because they were going to leave me with a 6" step preventing me getting my chair to it's charge point. I had to wait a few more days and they came out agreed to all this work and are now refusing to finish the job. I needed to install a trench of gravel for the lights to see the mis-aligned concrete to park on my driveway. They refused and I was left with an unlevel front garden I waited since July for safety rims on my ramp and instead of wooden scaffolding boards I've got some left over slabs from another job slapped on the the side of my ramp (not much of a safety hazard like a nice sharp patio slab edge!) I'm super stressed fighting off every corner from the discrimination I face. I'm now enforcing a design they 'decided' on for me.... Not WITH me. 

Formal complaint ignored. SS washed their hands with me and have no recollection of a home assessment of needs! Arrhggg 

Not sure if you have redress financially, but what I do know is that you can raise a complaint, if it's not resolved at Stage 1 then it should go to a Stage 2 complaint, if it's still not resolved you can then take it to the Housing Ombudsman and ask for compensation for inconvenience and stress etc.  If I were you, I would first ask for their complaint procedures and ask them why they ignored your complaint.  I know it's stressful I am constantly battling with my Housing Association and they couldn't give two hoots about my disability. When I asked for their disability policies they politely told me it was non of my business.

orangeapple57

Thank you tonight I spoke with disability law they said to pass my invoice over and now I'm armed with knowing that the driveway doesn't comply with building regulations too I have professional back up.

Albus_Scope

Sorry I cant add any advice to this issue, but I just wanted to wish you the best of luck with getting all of this sorted out asap. 

MW123

@orangeapple57

It's completely understandable that you're feeling stressed and frustrated with the lack of care and attention to detail in the work carried out to your home. Advocating for yourself and standing up for what you need, especially when it comes to something as important as your home and safety, takes a lot of courage.

Your housing association, as the recipient of the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG), has a responsibility to ensure the works were carried out to standard and complied with building regulations. As a tenant, you have the right to have repairs and adaptations done competently and in line with regulations. 

If the housing association does not respond satisfactorily or refuses to take responsibility, consider contacting the Housing Ombudsman Service (www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk). They offer a free, independent service to resolve disputes between tenants and landlords. The Housing Ombudsman can order the housing association to compensate you for the direct financial loss you suffered (£280 in this case), as long as you have evidence to support it (invoices, receipts).

 

orangeapple57

Thank you that's more helpful than disability law were X they seemed to think I may have to pursue compensation directly from the contractor if they shurked responsibility.

orangeapple57

So it's been 12 months since driveway was installed and 5 months since they visited and agreed a list of actions.

They've still not supplied a list of corrections and a schedule of works. I've raised complaints with the council who issued the dfg who say it's the housing association issue, raise complaint level 2 to housing association as they've verbally informed me stage one is complete, raised a complaint with housing ombudsman and I'm still waiting for any responses 3 weeks on.

Despite their housing manager, three OTs and myself asking for a cupboard next to washing machine to be removed and a cold water pipe feed supplied for a dishwasher; I've now received a refusal stating "it's not essential so we won't consider the adaptation".

I'm at my wit's end and wondering now if cut and run is the best option as their assisted gardening scheme has only visited twice since February and done 1 hour of work trashing the garden killing all our plants and wildlife areas. They're refusing to give any notice that they will turn up meaning I'm still not getting any 'support' in fact quite the opposite as they're making it so I can't safeguard myself or plan for a life!

Any support and advice welcome, I'm so exhausted from these people now I don't feel suitably housed nor feel like I ever will be the way I'm being treated!