hellodear_Dulwich

Hello If you are a council tenant you have the right to approach Southwark Arbitration. On the alternative, you could apply to the court for an injunction to make them complete the repairs it is responsible for, plus compensation for breach of the covenant of quiet enjoyment. The ombudsman is a good option, but you have to be an eligible complainant and have to have passed through the complaints process first and even then you have to have an MP refer you if the Council does not agree for it to go to an ombudsman. If you are a leaseholder, then its breach of contract through the courts. Irrespective of the Council's sob story that its funds have been cut, my view is that the issue is its employing people who are not effective in their roles! That is not yours or your families problem. Whilst budgets are low, they still have a contractual obligation. Would the council accept you not paying rent or service charge because its been a difficult time! It would not! Just at the council expect you to comply - it must comply with the tenancy or the lease. Its simple as that. As has been said, the fund is ring fenced so no excuses. Responding to the comment above re: disrepair, you could do this, but you must follow the pre-action protocol and will need a surveyor's report to evidence what the council need to do. Kind regards

There's a firm called Arc Property Solicitors who provide fixed fee for conveyancing. Usually around ?235.00 fixed fee.