Dilemmia!!!!!

[icemaiden]

My flat was damaged by the one above due to a leaky overflow pipe. The flat above is council owned so I claimed off the councils insurance as I own my flat. We gave them 2 estimates and we received a cheque payable to the chap who we decided to do the job. The chap doing the work said it would take him no more than a couple of days.

We are now three weeks and he has only managed a few hours work. We keep ringing and he promises to go round but then he doesn't.

Now the bad news. My stupid other half gave him the cheque before he started the job. Something about buying materials. I know, it was really stupid and it winds me up just thinking about it. But it's too late.
My question is.....What can I do/say next? Can I threaten him with Trading standards? I am so angry as I want to sell the flat. He said he would do the outside of the flat on Saturday but surprise, surprise...He hasn't.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[redcrx]

could you call the insurers that have paid him? they may be able to chase him up, after all it is them that are paying for the job

[icemaiden]

God how I would love to do that redhelen!
redcrx-That was one of the options I thought of. I will be ringing them when I get home me thinks.
Thanks guys

[merciasounds]

Tell him you're going to the local paper, get him some very bad publicity if he doesn't come and finish the job pronto, or you could also give him a bit of BS too, by saying that as it was a council cheque, you've put it back in thier hands and they'll be the ones to take him to court to get the money back - he might sit up and take notice if he thinks that is true. Good luck - (and give the other half a few sly digs when he's asleep - feign sleep when he wakes up with a jolt!!)

[icemaiden]

Hi EDDIE51-I was going to ask that when I rang them today. Good idea but I feel it may be too late now but I will ask anyway. Thanks

[icemaiden]

Merciasounds-Great Idea! Thanks- I will definately be ringing the council today and tell them whats gone on. Sounds like a good plan to say to the bloke that we are handing it over to the council now.

Makes my blood boil!

Thanks everyone, I feel more confident now that he will do it. (hopefully)

[icemaiden]

And in future it will be ME that deals with things and not my OH!
Useless...

[puternut]

Sorry to be a bit of a wet blanket but the way I see it the guy is not responsible to the council but to the insurance company - thats what the councul pay their premiums for. They (insurance co.) have paid him to do the work which he has failed to do to your satisfaction.

I think a call to them might be better plan

Just my 2c worth

[icemaiden]

Much appreciated Puternut...difficult one. I will ring the council, maybe they will also think that it is down to the insurance company rather than them. Hopefully they will also advise me.

Redhelen.....I am cleaning my rolling pin as I type! Do they sell metal ones I wonder?