Gloucester tenant rues cost of sewage leak
A Gloucester tenant has hit out at his landlord after being landed with the bill after three sewage leaks in his house.
Marc Higgins, who lives in Vicarage Court, in the village of Brockworth, believes Gloucestershire Housing Association should accept responsibility for the problem.
However, the association says it has sent experts to fix the problem.
The problem began when sewage leaked from Mr Higgins' toilet, soaking the bathroom floor.
After cleaning up the mess, Mr Higgins believed the problem was solved, only to see the toilet leak another two times.
On the last occasion, the sewage leaked into the spare room where Mr Higgins' son stays when he visits.
Mr Higgins said: "This has happened three times now, and it has been worse each time.
"The last time it happened I was left without toilet facilities for the weekend.
"We had someone come out, but all they wanted to do was mop behind the toilet and leave it at that. It is unacceptable, it keeps happening and it is costing me money.
"It even reached the room where my son stays. It is horrible. I had to move out for several days."
Mr Higgins said that the problem was made worse after one attempt to fix it.
"They tried to fix the problem, but it just made the toilet leak even worse," he added.
"The real problem is that it was never fixed the first time, and now they are telling me that the damage is my responsibility.
"I have tried to speak to them about it, but I can't seem to get anywhere.
"I have been advised to go to the Citizens Advice Bureau to see if they can help out."
A spokesman for Gloucestershire Housing Association said: "Whenever a tenant reports a problem such as a blocked toilet we will attend and get the problem fixed.
"If, for example, the tenant has fitted laminate flooring, then it would be their responsibility if anything has happened to it.
"We do provide tenants with details of an approved home insurance scheme."
5 Comments
by s, glos
Tuesday, January 05 2010, 9:18PM
“Why should mr higgins have to pay for any repairs this is a rented property that means he doesnt own it !The repairs lie with the landlord”
by luisa, gloucester
Tuesday, January 05 2010, 6:03PM
“Depending on the type of leakage of the toilet, depends on the responsibility. Sometimes over flows aren't always caused by the tenant but actually further down the line. We had a similar problem once where it was a family across the way who insisted on flushing nappys. This caused a back up of our system. Again if the result of the leaks are Mr Higgins' fault then he should take responsibilty for the bill. Yet if he is not responsible he should fight it all the way. You shouldn't be punished for something that isn't your fault at the end of the day. I agree with the housing assosiation as i am a tennent.. THEY HAVE HOME INSURANCE and mr higgins should have taken it out. At the end of the day, you do have a part to pay even in tenant property's. I do agree also that three leaks is extautionate and the housing assotiation should take a deeper look into the actual propblem itself. If the leak happes again they HAVE to find the route cause to it. Goodluck mr Higgins.. hope it all works out for you.”
by Gran, Gloucester
Tuesday, January 05 2010, 5:22PM
“Has he not got insurance? If not, why not?
I dont think the council should be held responsible for this, he uses the facilities so the upkeep should be down to him, others have to pay for their own repairs inside, why does he think its his right to have it fixed for him”
by James, Quedgeley
Tuesday, January 05 2010, 8:20AM
“How has this cost him money unless he was a private house owner?
Unlike the rest of us who have to pay repair bills, insurance etc. he can rely on the council to pick up the tab.
Another non story from the Citizen...stop the press....council house toilet leaks!!!!!”
by Patricia, United Kingdom
Tuesday, January 05 2010, 8:00AM
“What a cop out by Gloucestershire Housing Association, I have a family member who has recently moved into one of their flats both his kitchen & bathroom floor had nonslip flooring fitted when he moved in by GHA does that mean if his bathroom or kitchen has a flood through no fault of his own he is responsible, " I dont think so "these councils seem to have an answer for anything that goes wrong with a repair to cover themselves, when in fact the real reason is they dont never seem to find finaces to employ enough trained tradesman to do the job properly in the first place, yet you go into their offices and at a glance you can see where the money is being spent. Cheltenham Borough Homes has exactly the same problem, my advice to Mr Higgins is to fight this all the way, one leak from a toilet is bad enough but three is not acceptable.”