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Winchester City Council (WCC) should really read their own documents!
I have old floor tiles in my house - they're low-grade asbestos.
When I looked around the place, there was carpet everywhere, so I didn't see them.
I asked for the carpet to be removed, before I oved in. It was only once I'd organised the living room, that I found a hole, complete with breaking tiles around it,, in the floor. I was rather amazed it hadn't been seen/reported by a workman when the carpet was removed.
Well long story slightly shortened, they wanted to remove the tiles on 22nd/23rd.
My work contract ends on 26th, so I asked if it could be done after that.
The next day, I received an email from the council.
As I'd postponed the removal of the asbestos tiles, they would just remove those around the hole, and the 'bubbling' ones I'd pointed out. (about 6 - 8), on December 14th.
They also included this (in Bold red Italic), as another reason:
"At the time of the inspection I explained to the tenant that the removal of asbestos floor tiles would be a big job and due to her large furniture she would be required to move the majority out of the lounge and hall."
WELL - talk about flouting Health & Safety! The floor (and all other 'works') should have been checked and repaired/replaced before I moved in!! They obviously weren't.
I sent off an email quoting WCC's own 'Asbestos in Homes Management', pointing out where they had/were flouting their own policy, and H & S rules - like WCC expecting me to move furniture on my own - against their own H & S rules.
I asked such questions as:
"Does that mean that every time ONE tile breaks (as they're all a bit 'dodgy'), and I report it, an asbestos remover will come out and remove it, followed by someone from Osborne's who will replace the tile?"
My final question was:
"I have shards of tile that have fallen off when I've swept the floor - bits from around the edges. This is continually happening.
Is it safe to put these in the 'General Waste' bin? If not, why not?"
I also included photos of corners where the tiles are turning to dust.
Then I looked at their bold red 'statement' again, and realised it was just a load of bull, so sent an additional email.
I said I wasn't aware 'IKEA' furniture was particularly large, and gave the measurements of the cupboards and suite. I then pointed out that the room is small, and the ceiling low.
I also sent the picture that is now my avatar, showing 'all' the furniture 'filling' my hall.
I explained that Betty had only recently taken up residence in the hall, is moveable, is a smaller than average cat and unlikely to breach H & S because she hardly has any teeth left!
It got a result! They're coming out for 3 days in December, and removing all tiles from the living room and hall! :-D :-D :-D
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Well done for getting the result but as you say it should have been dealt with before you moved in.
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Whilst the surveyor was there, I showed him the condensation in my bedroom - that is turning my shoes mouldy :-(
He said it was because my radiator was under the window,and there was no ventilation - I should open the window. (I think the concrete's wet)
I live in a bungalow. The window is abour 4ft 6 by 3ft!!
I then went back to the iiving room - where,there is also a lot of condensation.
Here, the radiator is the other side of the room, and there'sft a huge draughty vent under the window. I asked for the excse this time. He said nothing.
He suggested I closed the kitchen door when I cooked.
frame
Then I got a letter remnding me of my duty to keep condensation to a minimum.
I tried closing the kitchen door - but it's too big for the frame!
I sent an email pointing this out, and how difficult it is, trying to comply when, through no fault of my own (the boiler breaks about every 10 days, too) nothing works :-D :-D
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When my friend moved into a new build and pointed out that the Cooker switch was in a dangerous place, the window recess and was told it is only dangerous if he used it erm no s..t Sherlock so move it then was his reply.
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I think you need the local press to come and see all this Maggie....put on your best little old helpless lady act for the pictures make sure you don't smile as you point to the floor tiles. :-)
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I did think that, Caroline, but it would be another interruption! :-D
I was waiting to be told I was in the wrong for not reporting it immediately - but the 'We'll do it when we want, or we'll bodge the job' was quite near. :-D
This was my response:
'To not do a proper job - one that contradicts both the asbestos expert, and your own policy - because your contractor isn't happy, is not only petty, but could be considered illegal.'
The council were probably unaware the (independent) asbestos man had come around in the hope I would be in, and we had a nice chat.
Apparently, WCC has no asbestos officer, so I had clueless idiots trying to tell me what was happening.
I do wonder about the other bungalows. It's almost like it's a case of 'They're old, by the time they get mesothelioma, they'll be nearly dead, anyway'.
The surveyor actually said to me 'The floor isn't meant to be exposed, most people cover it in carpet'.
Yes, because we all know what you can't see, won't hurt you, don't we?
Also, I'm thrifty.(aka mean) Why would I put flooring over tiles that are breaking and leaving sharp shards? It would rip the bottom.
No mention so far, from the housing officer about the kitchen door not closing :-D
I'll just have to put up with condensation - though why it's worst in the morning, when I've been sleeping, rather than cooking, really puzzles me.
Obviously they MUST be right, It's my fault, and it's nothing at all to do with dodgy windows, cold floors etc is it?
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I would call the press in regardless and not tell the council until they had been.
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We get condensation in the mornings in the rooms where curtains have been closed. The bedroom is worst because we have a close-fitting blind and the room is warmer than the air outside.
It isn't a problem and the window gets cleaned daily as I wipe off the condensation. :-)
As others have suggested, telling the Press might be a good idea. The Hampshire Chronicle would do you proud.
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Maggie, what about contacting Environmental Health dept? Could they help at all?
Florence in the hebrides
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Florence - I've considered the complaints department, but i never thought of Environmental health!
I've just gone on the governmet's website, which then provided a link to WCC's Asbestos' page - and wouldn't you know - I got a 'page not found' message!
It says "This is our new web site. The search results are still not fully indexed ",
But Asbestos begins with an 'A'!!!!
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