Council house Problem.

[Chuckers]

I live in a rented council house with my partner, her son and our 3 young children. In the garden we have an under water spring( which the council know about) it makes the garden sopping wet all year around and floods the garden when it rains really heavy, They have told us that there more important things other than our garden that need doing in the area that i live. Its taken us neally 2 years to get that answer from them, when we phone them they pass us around all the different houses offices, then around all the different departments, and when we finally get to the right person its always its here on my desk in front of me, or we are monitoring it (they havent been near us for over a year). I have also phoned the local councillor put still nothing is happening.

Im on here to ask where do i go next, is this an issue i can go to a solicitor about ?
Any advice would a great Help

[Twirls]

I think (but not sure) that DEFRA are responsible for water and similar stuff - perhaps they can help? If nothing else they should be concerned about the waste of water / anything getting into the water to contaminate it.

[arwyn]

Mention Watchdog or you'r local newspaper that will shift them. You have Children who need to play in the garden.

[hc4361]

I own my home which has the same problem. It has cost me at least £8k so far to try and get it put right but water is water and has a will of its own.
I did manage two dry years but then we had torrential rain and back to square one.

If it were your responsibility, what would you do?

[Chuckers]

Yes i do have children who need to play in the garden, my garden is neally half a football pitch long, atm my kids play in a part of the garden thats 12ft by 5ft, it aint fair, and since i posted the question ive read in the local paper that there going to revamp a travellers site in swansea that will cost 90k, it just aint fair.

[hc4361]

I've thought more about this. The council's obligation is to provide you with adequate and safe housing. The garden is a bonus and lack of it does not affect your living accommodation, your health or deprive you of any essential amenities.
The council is right to give it low priority when they are dealing with damp houses, overcrowded families, homeless people, houses in desperate need of remedial work with leaking roofs, unsafe electrics etc.

If it bothers you that much, rent somewhere else.

[hc4361]

No, it ain't fair that you have such a huge garden when many families are living in flats.

As I said, it's your choice. Find somewhere else to rent.

[Chuckers]

So when it floods so bad that water gets into my Kitchen and floods the path ways and the drains cant handle that amount of water, i should just find somewhere else to rent Or as a taxpayer and the tennant of a council property( which we pay the rent) get them here and sort it out ??

[TonyV]

Chuckers - how many times has your house / keen kitchen been flooded?

[Chuckers]

times, the water seeps under the kitchen units, they face the garden

[tamborine]

Spring = £££s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ef0dWD9ccc&feature=player_detailpage

[TonyV]

how many times chuckers? - do properties either side have the same problems?

[tamborine]

You could build a swimming pool for the kids or a soakaway to direct the water away.

http://www.diydoctor....ects/frenchdrains.htm

[Chuckers]

sorry 4 Times and yes the houses either side of us there garden is the same, the water runs into there gardens

[daffy654]

Contact your local MP and see if they will take the issue up with the council for you.

[Hopkirk]

Ask to be re-housed because of it.

[TonyV]

Tamborine - not a funny thing - have you had your house flooded?

[Twenty20]

Hmm, just call me cynical, but I wonder if your house really does flood or whether you just added that later because you weren't getting the right sort of answers to your original question about your garden?

If both your house and garden flood, I wonder why you'd only mention the garden to start with? I would have assumed your first question would be concerning a spring in your garden which floods your house.

As has already been asked, and which you didn't answer, if you owned the house what would you do? As your garden is so large I'd assume it could easily accommodate a pond or two? Or turn the wet areas into a wetland garden with paths, small bridges, reed beds etc. How about building raised wooden playhouses for the kids, which obviously sit above ground - children love them. Of course, with these ideas, you'll have to do some work yourself instead of looking to get the council to do something with your garden.

[ummmm]

Twenty20 - an expensive renovation you're suggesting there!

He didn't say the house flooded...he said the water gets into his kitchen when it gets really bad. That has happened 4 times!

[WELSHYORKIE]

Chuckers, have you considered contacting your local water board to see if they can assist in some way?

[darcydark]

Hi, This is a natural thing, it can`t be taken away. The coucil could take a top layer of your soil off, pipe it so that some of the water could get away to a drain, lay a load of fine stones over your garden to help with drainage, put your soil back in place and lay you a new lawn. It will always be a damp garden. It is impossible to get rid off, though there are ways to make your garden a little drier.