Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Peter Luckham on October 6, 2012 at 20:58

Karen Tarbox - head of Technical Services - is working on an updated plan for windows across all City Of London estates to take into account high priority concerns raised by residents, as well as general environmental and fuel poverty concerns.  I would expect that this should produce an updated schedule of when they plan to renew windows.  This updated plan is due to be published by the end of the year.  Although I am not sure if that will be a draft version, and whether there will be a consultation process or not.

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Permalink Reply by Lee Studley on October 8, 2012 at 8:50

One option the repair guy mentioned was to board up under the main windows where the false wooden book shelf is, anybody done that or know if we are even allowed.

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Permalink Reply by nathan on October 9, 2012 at 16:27

I am at present fitting cheap secondary glazing in the form of thin polythene sheeting to my windows to create an air pocket.  The windows i have done now have minimal condensation, after stripping all the old varnish, rotten wood and mould  from the frames. I am also going to insulate the shelves with dpm polystyrene bubble rap and tinfoil and box it in with wood, i have also siliconed all the gaps in the windows and shelves. If you insulate the shelves alone it will make no noticeable difference at all, the whole room has to be done to have any effect. I live on the top floor of crescent house and the windows are very high and there is a risk of death if you fall through the windows, but i have no alternative but to take this action as i suffer from arthritis and asthma, and the thought of another winter in cold and pain only makes me depressed.

The seals on all the windows have perished and the windows that open have warped  frames and the handles are broken. When the wind blows I can actually hear it whistling through  the gaps, and can see daylight through the spaces. I asked Linbrooks  to repair the seals and fit knew window handles . They came with sticky backed foam strips which lasted a week and the second time i asked they didn't bother showing up, I asked them to fit knew handles, they fitted cheap sash window catches (completely in appropriate for these windows) which he had to bend in order to close the window and operate the catches, all the repairs done to this flat and the previous studio I lived in have been of such a low standard that I who has in the past worked as a carpenter for more than 15 years can only be at best described as diy done badly or  completely  bodged work.

 The roof over the kitchen also leaks due to the small drain that has to take all the rain from the main roof, has not been fitted properly and has leaked into the kitchen and now electrics in the kitchen and has done since I moved in here ,and previously, as i could see the old water damage and I even had to re plaster sections of the wall around the listed partition in the living area.  Despite   Inspace bodging the roof repair  on at least five occasions and recently Linbrooks have been on the roof twice to my knowledge, the roof still leaks. This does not surprise me in the slightest because I know that the private tenants have been recommended a private contractor to carry out private repairs as Linbrooks could not give a guarantee of quality for any private work undertaken for private tenants, this speaks volumes as to the standard of work the corporation of London will accept from contractors.

I previously lived in a studio on the ground floor of Hatfield house, the place was rotten with mould and condensation and I was newly arrived there and was told by a member of staff and the then housing manager that I was the only one on the estate with this problem, and that it was my life style and  was told to open the windows and leave the heating at maximum. I later learned in talking to neighbours that there were plenty of people all over the estate with the same problems.

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Permalink Reply by Lee Studley on October 15, 2012 at 15:04

Would love to know how you get on with that Nathan anything to make it a little warmer in the flat.

nathan said:

I am at present fitting cheap secondary glazing in the form of thin polythene sheeting to my windows to create an air pocket.  The windows i have done now have minimal condensation, after stripping all the old varnish, rotten wood and mould  from the frames. I am also going to insulate the shelves with dpm polystyrene bubble rap and tinfoil and box it in with wood, i have also siliconed all the gaps in the windows and shelves. If you insulate the shelves alone it will make no noticeable difference at all, the whole room has to be done to have any effect. I live on the top floor of crescent house and the windows are very high and there is a risk of death if you fall through the windows, but i have no alternative but to take this action as i suffer from arthritis and asthma, and the thought of another winter in cold and pain only makes me depressed.

The seals on all the windows have perished and the windows that open have warped  frames and the handles are broken. When the wind blows I can actually hear it whistling through  the gaps, and can see daylight through the spaces. I asked Linbrooks  to repair the seals and fit knew window handles . They came with sticky backed foam strips which lasted a week and the second time i asked they didn't bother showing up, I asked them to fit knew handles, they fitted cheap sash window catches (completely in appropriate for these windows) which he had to bend in order to close the window and operate the catches, all the repairs done to this flat and the previous studio I lived in have been of such a low standard that I who has in the past worked as a carpenter for more than 15 years can only be at best described as diy done badly or  completely  bodged work.

 The roof over the kitchen also leaks due to the small drain that has to take all the rain from the main roof, has not been fitted properly and has leaked into the kitchen and now electrics in the kitchen and has done since I moved in here ,and previously, as i could see the old water damage and I even had to re plaster sections of the wall around the listed partition in the living area.  Despite   Inspace bodging the roof repair  on at least five occasions and recently Linbrooks have been on the roof twice to my knowledge, the roof still leaks. This does not surprise me in the slightest because I know that the private tenants have been recommended a private contractor to carry out private repairs as Linbrooks could not give a guarantee of quality for any private work undertaken for private tenants, this speaks volumes as to the standard of work the corporation of London will accept from contractors.

I previously lived in a studio on the ground floor of Hatfield house, the place was rotten with mould and condensation and I was newly arrived there and was told by a member of staff and the then housing manager that I was the only one on the estate with this problem, and that it was my life style and  was told to open the windows and leave the heating at maximum. I later learned in talking to neighbours that there were plenty of people all over the estate with the same problems.

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Permalink Reply by nathan on October 24, 2012 at 10:48

I have done all the windows at the front apart from the metal window, and have also siliconed all the gaps, and so far it seems to hold the heat better and it has definitely killed the noise of the tennis courts, I am waiting for the temperature to really drop to gauge how effective it has been, but definitely isn't as chilly and miserable as it was.

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Permalink Reply by Lee Studley on October 26, 2012 at 13:46

Thinking about doing something myself Nathan, i would love to come over and see what you have done but perfectly understand if you would rather not have people in the flat i am very bad when it comes to diy so would appreciate any advice.

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Permalink Reply by nathan on October 27, 2012 at 19:34

i dont mind if you come round, i can give you what advice i have, lol, if you dont mind the place being a bit of a bomb site at the moment

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Permalink Reply by Lee Studley on October 30, 2012 at 14:11

I dont mind that its a bomb site, just let  me know what time is best for you im usually back from

work around 6 if the evening is ok with you..

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Permalink Reply by Ian David Dowsett on November 1, 2012 at 13:02

Hello Mr Studley, the two options are either to apply for a mutual exchange or apply for an internal transfer.  You need to contact Sandra Brown in the allocations section on 020 7332 1654

 

Regards,

 

Ian

 

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Permalink Reply by Lee Studley on November 30, 2012 at 13:50

Hi Nathan

 

Hope the flat is getting a bit warmer, can you remind me where you get your wood from as i would

like to try and get some myself to board up underneath the windows.

Thanks

Lee

nathan said:

give me a ring on 07930142912, after 6 is fine

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Permalink Reply by nathan on November 30, 2012 at 22:33

goswell paints & hardware

188 Goswel Road

ec1v7dt

02076082555

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Permalink Reply by nathan on December 1, 2012 at 0:43

There is this place also on essex road, E.D.Elson Ltd, reasonable prices they cut material and can deliver, 

http://www.edelsonltd.co.uk/

302-304 Essex Road, Islington
London, N1 3AU

020 7226 6422

Opening Hours

Mon: 08:00 - 17:00 Tue: 08:00 - 17:00 Wed: 08:00 - 17:00 Thu: 08:00 - 17:00 Fri: 08:00 - 17:00 Sat: 09:00 - 17:00

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