Sewage!

[The Doctor Alt 8]

Monday morning Adrian woke in his basement flat to find that the newly fitted sewage pump that serves the house converted into flats has failed and his bathroom was covered in a layer of... to politely put it... OH NASTY.... (Or SHIT )
To date his landlord has not fixed the situation...
He has reported this to the council... they have yet to do anything.
If he didn't have a friend to stay with well I think you can imagine the trouble he'd be in.

I have given him the Croydon Councils 24 hour emergency phone no. but he won't call it because he dosn't think they can help. I however maintain that as this is a health and environmental hazard it bloody well is.
Advice please? 

[Frank]

https://www.gov.uk/private-renting/repairs

"If your property needs repairs

Contact your landlord if you think repairs are needed. Do this straightaway for faults that could damage health, like faulty electrical wiring. You should continue to pay your rent while waiting for repairs to be done. Your landlord should tell you when you can expect the repairs to be done.
If repairs aren't done

Ask your local council's environmental health department for help. Your council can make the landlord take action if the property contains health and safety hazards. Shelter has information about repairs, including what to do if you're in dispute with your landlord."

[The Doctor Alt 8]

Thanks Sauchie I will pass that on...

[Ghost MacRoth]

Take off, nuke the site from orbit.  It's the only way to be sure.

[The Doctor Alt 8]

No repairs have been made. So the property has been marinading in sewage for TWO WEEKS!!!

I have passed on all the advice given.
I have suggested that Adrian approaches the local papers & the radio station but he won't do so and I shouldn't contact them myself behind his back.

How can people let this happen?

Let alone how the people living above that mess can stand the smell...there must be a smell...

[COMMANDO FORCES]

Some people don't want help but it sounds like Adrian is a vulnerable person, if he doesn't mind sewage in his place and doesn't want to cause a fuss!

Your best bet as a friend is to go behind his back and contact the council yourself, explain that he has contacted them and they have done nothing for two weeks. Ask them for their reason why they have done absolutely nothing and then say that after you depart their building you are popping along to the local press to tell them the lack of care due to 'Health and Safety' from this amazing caring council.

[Richmond Clements]

Just call the bloody council - it's their job.

[SuperSurfer]

Horrendous. Extremely dangerous so yes, take the bull by the horns and kick up a stink fuss on his behalf. Make sure you take photos for evidence and contact the local tv station or newspaper and do Tweet or Facebook regarding this as social media is a powerful tool for holding organisations or companies to account.

I can sympathise. I had this problem once when I was living in Amsterdam. Like a horror film there was a sign of things to come (eg ouija board scene in Exorcist) when I heard next door's bog being flushed and shall we say there was a reverse entry special delivery into my bog. Next morning the bathroom floor was full up to the level of the door threshold with sewage which I had to scoop up.

[Dark Jimbo]

Aye, get the council on it even if you have to go behind his back - you can't just leave a situation like that. It's why you pay your taxes, after all.

[The Doctor Alt 8]

               I thought I would send you an update as to how Adrian is doing. Or rather npt...

I spoke to Adrian yesterday evening. The council inspected the repair work the landlord was carrying out and stopped it on the grounds that they were taking to long and it wasn't good enough. Neither the landlord or the council have stopped the residents above from using their facilities. You would have thought that they would have been given alternative accommodation until repairs were made. But common sense seems to be in short supply.

As the flat has been flooded with an ever increasing account of raw sewage... well virtually everything Adrian owns will have to be replaced from soft furnishings and white goods to home electronics.... well I am sure you can imagine...

I have told Adrian that he should kick up a fuss and sue his landlord for the loss of his property... (As you know Adrian dose not have insurance because with his lack of income he simply couldn't afford it.) But he will not do so due to his very real concern that his landlord will make him leave his home and he cannot afford to find a new place to live. (With current government policy being to move people on benefits to cheaper areas of the country... if the social services DID help, they are likely to move him halfway across the country where it would be cheaper)
 
Needless to say I am very concerned about his welfare at the moment but am at a total loss as to what I can do.

If anyone is able help, please do so.

[sheldipez]

It must feel like banging your head against the wall; he doesn't ever seem to want to do anything. I think the worst would have got to me by now and I would have had the landlord by the throat.

There's little advice that can be given by anyone if your friend doesn't listen to it. ???

[The Doctor Alt 8]

I think it may have something to do with his depression. I have a contact with the local paper but... HE has to do the phoning.

I walked past his flat (there are three floors above him... Its one of those large house conversions)

I couldn't see anything seeping though his front and only door... Or anything though his living room window as the curtains were closed. I hope that it is a good sign.. But I  am not raising my spirits to much.

[The Doctor Alt 8]

OKKKAY (Sure your board with this folks but hell)

Adrian called me over to his flat this lunchtime.

Now the damage isn't as bad as I feared (But as I thought the place would be knee deep in liquid raw sewage... yeah, I'm a worrier who always thinks the worst...)
but there are things like the carpets (Landlord put that in so...) bookshelves ( not to exspensive to replace)
holes in walls  still not filled in from repair attempt...
mold has formed on he clothes he left behind... and on his exspencive bed (It is one of those electric powered ajustable ones)

I took a few photos

He still dosen't want to apporch the papers... because he hopes dispite the non action of the landlord... to move back.. (Well he dosn't have any other option...)

However... some of his property has disappeard. No he dosen't appear to be broken into again... we suspect the landlord.

It is HIS property... Adrian has left a sign up stating that this new afront has been reported to the police.

The place is musty... but he dean't leave a window open... we all know what will happen.

He despiratly needs either the council to take action or serious legal advice which he cannot afford to get...

[TordelBack]

That is a truly terrible situation, Roberta.  I wish I could think of something useful to say beyond what others have already suggested for Adrian.  He's a very lucky man to have such a dedicated friend, but it's obvious from what you described he needs help far beyond what you can plausibly offer.  Is there any kind of community support system you can turn to for advice?  A local branch of a depression charity maybe?  I know it's not the whole problem, but it certainly seems like a big part of it.

[The Doctor Alt 8]

Just an update for you folks:

I saw Adrian yesterday and helped him write out a list of things damaged by mold and stuff taken by the landlord. The flat is now so musty with mold that you can only spend a few minuets in there before you have to come out again or risk coughing up a lung...


                                List of clothing damaged by mould: Everyday.



In Adrian MD Lucas flat, 1 Acacia Cottage, Princess Road CR0 2QS.


1 waistcoat. Burgundy Coloured. Silk Brocade pattern.

Black trousers Polyester/ Viscose blend. With shiny finish
Matching jacket. (Two piece suit)

2 velvet jackets. Calf length, Made to mesure.

Jacket polyester/ viscose in Burgundy, calf length. Made to Mesure
Matching trousers. (two piece suit)

Jacket black silk Brocade.
Matching trousers (two piece suit)

Black polyester shirt.

Blue and black jacket with unusual silver thread embroidery. Viscose /polyester.

Imported Red/ yellow  Manga print shirt.

Red velvet Jacket. Calf length.

Black leather two piece suit. Comprising of trousers & shirt.

Cream brocade waistcoat.

Black 7 gold waistcoat.

Brocade waistcoat.

20 patterned silk ties.

Blue cotton trousers.

Black full length leather coat ( ankle length)

Calf length leather coat

10 assorted cotton T shirts

3 cotton shirts

1 pair blue jeans

1 " Bomber " jacket cloth with embroidered design on chest.

1 bomber jacket leather.

1 leather flying jacket. (world war 2 design )

Camouflage jacket &Trousers.

2 cotton sweatshirts

1 black cotton sweatshirt.

Short sleeved red & Yellow Manga print shirt.

Short Sleeved Red & Yellow Dragon Manga  print shirt.

Spiderman print shirt

1 sky blue acrylic Jumper.

1 medium blue Acrylic Jumper.

I Martial arts suit. "whites"

5 sets of King Sized satin effect beding.

Comprising of 4 pillowcases, fitted sheet and quilt cover to each set.

( 3 in red, 2 in black.)





1 Black Jumper Arylic



                                         








   List of clothing damaged by mould: Replica Costume.


Gold silk shirt

1 tudor suit.       ( doublet & hose. Blue and red velvet. ( slash features)

1 St Gorges Cross Tabard

1 woollen Tabard. Blue with gold central cross and 4 white crosses.

1 purple & gold velvet doublet with jewelled studs.

1 purple and gold velvet matching hat. ( Chaperon)

1 red Velvet cape with genuine fur lining.

1 full length blue velvet cloak with red silk brocade lining.

2 Saxon trousers

1 cotton white Tudor shirt

1 fencing suit. (padded jacket and trousers.)

1 red silk brocade gown with genuine fur collar.