Categories: scming
Tags: housing
Date: 02 February 2006 00:49:09
Frogs was a mispronunciation of fog. It was still entertaining though. I also thought I'd share an email I've sent with you...
Dear X & Y
I am writing to you for several reasons. Firstly, I visited your office towards the end of last year to find out what happened about the tenancy when I passed the end of the contract (last December) and was informed that I would get sent a letter. As this has yet to arrive and we are now in February, I assume that things are carrying on in a month by month basis [as I was told verbally] but it would still be good to hear from you more formally as to what is going on.
The other reason I'm writing is to highlight many of the concerns I raised to you in my letter to you in about April last year. I'm sorry for not getting back to you sooner but I remain severely disappointed that the work has not been conducted. The workman requested I contact him and I was unable to get through on the number he provided - the last I heard from him was around June. Since his visit to change some, but not all, of the window locks, I have heard nothing from him. This leaves the (main) problems as an ungrouted kitchen floor (which I was assured would be sorted before I moved in, immediately after and following my letter) and damaged work surface, the continuing problem of damp and a distinct lack of heating due to a faulty and mis-priced meter.
When I originally spoke to X about the damp, he warned me that it was a problem of flats around the age of mine. As this is combined with a lack of heating it has had a detrimental effect on my health. Should you wish it, I'm sure my employer could provide an account of my absences associated with respitory problems since living in the flat. The latest and worst bout of illness was a chest infection and associated problems which now, even after 4 weeks, is still affecting me on a daily basis. The harm my flat is causing me was brought home when I was taken in by a friend for two nights to stay somewhere warm and dry. After two days I was well enough to return to work, but following the same amount of time back in my flat I was off work again. The damp has also led to mould growing which I've been trying to keep control of. It now appears to be growing on my curtains, and as I'm unable to rectify the situation (as well as being advised that damp is not my responsibility) I am disappointed that my possessions are being damaged by the environment too. I also understand that Environmental health are able to come and assess situations similar to mine.
The kitchen is the main other problem area. It is unhygenic, and not by my acts or omissions. The sink and draining board, as well as the worksurface are not sealed to the wall and woodlice, silverfish and other such creatures have access to all the surfaces, let alone concerns about harbouring bacteria and such like. The general work surface area suffers from damage, and has done for the length of time I've been in the flat. It has been mentioned on previous occasions. I am currently only willing to use it for food preparation if I have treated the area with anti-bacterial spray prior to preparing food, even though it's on a chopping board. The cupboards under the sink are almost unusable, especially as one is very damp (partly due to a water pipe in the cupboard). The floor, too, remains unfixed. I first raised this as a concern when I moved in, in December 2004. Over a year on there has been no progress.
There are other annoyances and niggles but in comparison they are nothing. As my flat, to all intent and purpose, is damp, without adequate provision of heating and doesn't have a hygenic space to cook and prepare food, I'm sure you can understand I'm somewhat reluctant to spend time there, when not necessary. I would like to hear from you very soon regarding this matter and I hope you will be able to arrange a convenient time to meet with me at my flat to assess the situation further before the end of the month. As my work commitments are very complicated, especially at this time of year (requiring me to be out of the city more than usual), please can you call me on my mobile to arrange a suitable date and time. If I am unable to answer, I will get back to you as soon as possible.
I look forward to hearing from you in the near future regarding this matter.
Yours sincerely,
NC