How to get more traction on a topic?

Posted by Flying_Wilson17@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 17 comments

Hi all, So… I’m fucked, like well and truest fucked for life and can’t see a way out. I’m impacted by the cladding scanda, meaning I currently can’t sell the property I live in. I find myself in a situation where we (partner and child) live in a small 2 bed that has been classed a fire hazard for the last 4years, with no plan to fix. This is madness right, I’m a normal person, I bought in a H2B as a new build and within 5years got told I need to pay £50k to fix it. The gov “stepped in” and said I have no costs, but I still can’t sell. No one wants to give me any info, and I have tried asking everyone m, you name it, I have tried it. I also feel there is a media blackout on this topic - like who gives a fuck about home owners… they are loaded. I’m not mad rich, and can’t but another without selling, and just don’t know what to do next. Kind thinking I should have gone bankrupt 4years ago! Any help is welcome!

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17 Comments

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NotTheOnlyOutcome@reddit

Rent your place out while you rent somewhere else yourself? Other than that, get in touch with your MP and think about how to connect with others in a similar position to form a pressure group.

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JonathnJms2829@reddit

Yes, rent out your property that you know is a fire risk. That is in no way unethical....

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Flying_Wilson17@reddit (OP)

Agree it’s not right, but it’s what every is being forced to do. Again, not sure how it’s legal

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Flying_Wilson17@reddit (OP)

So…. Renting would leave me £200 pcm down, and to rent a house It would be £500 more than that. So £700 pcm dead money - financially makes no sense for me. My local MP…. Know as the laziest in the uk, and a total prick. Emailed him this week for the 1st time since 2021, and he replied with a copy and past response he sent me before - noting all the “things” he has done for me. When I called him on this he told me to contact someone else! All passive aggressive and that. I mean… it’s not like we pay them to rep us!

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TheRealVinosity@reddit

>My local MP…. Know as the laziest in the uk, and a total prick. That does not narrow it down. (Also, sorry to hear about the situation you're in)

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DrMangosteen2@reddit

I mean we know he doesn't live in Islington as least

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fitlikeabody@reddit

Someone is responsible, it always comes to one person. Others must be be in a comparable position so work together,start by writing to or contacting the local authority and have them explain who is responsible. If they don't know maybe try the building equivalent of the ombudsman and ask citizens advice for support. Once you get the hint of who it is, contact them relentlessly, visit their offices, be visible but not angry or threatening.

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Flying_Wilson17@reddit (OP)

Yep…. Lots of people being ignored. We can’t get any traction, and it’s driving everyone mad. https://endourcladdingscandal.org/get-involved/meet-campaign-partners/uk-cladding-action-group/ I live in a property that’s classed as a fire hazard! Like how is that legal!?

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dbxp@reddit

There aren't enough builders to resolve the issue quickly so it will take years to resolve regardless of the legality.

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Flying_Wilson17@reddit (OP)

Real world… my fear is nothing will actually happen till one of the many buildings in the same situation burn down, and there is a loss of life. Then it will come out, People will look sad, say sorry we tried and it’s all bullshit. Until then, I’m with £x and that’s less than the £y it will cost.

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Flying_Wilson17@reddit (OP)

I’m 4years in - with no plan or end in sight. My family live in a fire hazard, that’s basically student halls. Was billed a the premier city living, nice marina, bars ect. How long should I wait - especially with no information or end date. We only get one go around. I say, Knock them down - give everyone the money back, bankrupt the people who took all the profit. I know this isn’t ideal but I mean… they are a hazard.

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Money-Feeling@reddit

This is a complex issue and there are varying levels of blame for a number of people including, the cladding contractor, the insulation manufacturer, the architects, the main contractor, the building managers, the cladding fire testing body. As far as I can tell from having worked in the construction industry for the last 10 years and my reading on the subject all of the above and more (e.g. Local authority building control and approved national government regulations) are partly to blame. This is a grey and unsatisfactory answer for people looking for one entity to blame. It is also why there is no satisfactory legal answer to this, because all entities can in some way point to each other. In terms of OP's flat. Is the developer on this list? https://www.gov.uk/guidance/list-of-developers-who-have-signed-building-safety-repairs-pledge If so and no action possibly trying to embarrass them in the media and social media about their lack of action might help. This would include contacting local counselors who can affect the planning permissions these developers can gain. I am sorry, it is very unfair but if it were me I would look to rent it. I understand it would mean losing money from your reply below but I think it is the only way to resolve the issue in the short term. I hope I am proved wrong in the near future....

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Flying_Wilson17@reddit (OP)

Thanks for the reply, Your totally right. Unfortunately my developer is not on the list, as they subcontracted the whole build out, then phoenixed the company. The developer who actually did the build is therefore only a contractor - it’s a massive joke In addition, my freeholder isn’t signed up to the BSF, meaning we can’t access the gover / get a start date. If they did we could get a mtg on the property. I have tried talking to the freeholder but they don’t reply. As for the media side, I can’t get any traction on this issue be it local or national - it’s like there is a total blackout on the topic

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pepe612@reddit

People are selfish, You have to convince everyone that it could happen to them for them to care. People cared about covid once they said it affected young and healthy people, people cared about Ukraine because it was in Europe, people care about the climate because they think the severe change will happen in their lifetime. When the flu was only a risk to granny, wars only happened in the Middle East or Africa and the climate disaster was 100 years away nobody cared.

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Flying_Wilson17@reddit (OP)

This is the issue, I’m getting to the stage where being a bit more drastic is the only logical option left

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pepe612@reddit

How drastic are we talking? Greta Thunberg? Fathers 4 Justice? Ted Kaczynski?

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Clavdivs_Gurnard@reddit

Seems like absolute madness I hope you can get the attention this deserves.