Created @ 20.32 on 17/05/2010 (self written notes used for reference points).
Fence repair failure details:
On 20/04/2010 Our fence adjoining the side and rear of our property fell, a 60cm x 60cm slab had been propped up the fence for some time and as I moved it the fence bowed. As the day continued the fence leant more and more until finally in the night it fell. On 21/04/2010 I attempted to prop the fence back up but was unable to move it, we reported the problem to the council repairs team who said they will arrange for Mears to attend the property on 06/05/2010. I explained that the fallen fence was causing an obstruction to the front of the property, initially the representatives would not help, we made 6 calls in total until someone actually listened to us when we spoke about the obstruction being caused, so a Mears representative was sent out to us. He came to the property at 18:10pm on 22/04/2010 and moved the fence remains into a pile with my assistance. I asked him if the fence would be able to be repaired; his answer was that it would need a full replacement. Over the next few days we had several intruders into our property, two attempted break ins and a ,an attempting to speak to our children hiding around the corner of the wall. Every time we faced one of these occurrences we called through to the repairs team, each time we were told there was nothing they could do. On two occasions representatives were rude to my partner on the phone and refused to let her speak with a supervisor. Four call backs were arranged and none of them were followed up. On 06/05/2010 a Mears agent attended the property and did not carry out any work, he told us that the fence would need to be replaced (which we had already confirmed) and a manager would need to attend the property. He called through to his office via his own mobile phone and told us a manager would attend the property on 12/05/2010 between 8:00am and 13:00pm. I called the Housing repairs team to find out why the details of the job had not been communicated but was told that the appointment made was all they could tell me. I proceeded to make a complaint on birmingham.gov.uk on 12/05/2010 at 13:36pm. I expressed my certainty that the manager coming out to our property on 12/05/2010 would not attend and that I believed the job would either be lost or cancelled. I was right, on 12/05/2010 myself and my partner waited in the property all day for a manager to attend, at 13:31pm after a manager did not attend the property I called the Birmingham city council repairs team. The repairs team instructed me that the job had been listed as being completed, when I explained that this was not the case the only solution I was offered was a call back from Mears within 48 hours I was also told after enquiring that the deadline for actual job completion would be 27/05/2010. Again this call did not happen. While checking my account on birmingham.gov.uk I noticed that my complaint had been closed without any action being taken, in the sub heading it stated “closed-justified”, I proceeded to make yet another complaint and to date have had no response, However because my complaint was closed without action I forwarded details to the Government Ombudsman. I called the repairs team again on 14/05/2010 at 16.03pm to explain the call arranged had yet again not been made to us, the advisor told me this would be escalated and that we would be guaranteed to be called by 16:00pm on 17/05/2010. Yet again this call did not happen and on 17/05/2010 at 16:52pm I called the repairs team and spoke to an advisor called Michael, he explained to me that Mears had closed the job down saying we had removed the fence ourselves and they were unable to help. I was asked if I would like to re-book the job but I was not happy with starting all over again so I asked to speak to a manager or supervisor. Unfortunately one was not available. I was asked for my contact details and told that a manager would call me back within 24 hours. On 17/05/2010 I sourced some rotten fence panels from a skip and with the kind permission of the owner I took them and managed to erect a makeshift fence, held up solely by rubble bags and bricks. Although this is far from secure it does allow our children into areas of the garden, prevent intrusion, allow us to dry washing & also allow our puppy exercise. This fence is not designed to last very long so the distress being caused to myself, my partner and our children is always increasing. It is now 19:28pm on 17/05/2010 and the matter is far from resolved, I will update the details as and when they arise.


The fence put up on 17/05/2010 to prevent intruders. It clearly shows that it is of inferior construction and is being held up by rubble sacks, soil and bricks.
Following a request from contachousing>birmingham.gov.uk I forwarded the details contained here to them on 17/05/2010 at 19:43pm.
I have sourced the following information from: Citizens advice:

The Right to repair (England Wales and Scotland only)
Tenants of local authorities and other social landlords (including housing associations) can use �?right to repair’ schemes to claim compensation for repairs which the landlord does not carry out within a set timescale.
In England and Wales, all local authorities must follow a right to repair scheme. Under this right to repair scheme, if you are a local authority tenant and repairs are not carried out within a fixed time scale, you can notify the landlord that you want a different contractor to do the job. The local authority must appoint a new contractor and set another time limit. You can then claim compensation if the repair is not carried out within the new time limit.
In England and Wales, as a local authority tenant you can currently use this �?right to repair’ scheme for urgent repairs which your landlord estimates would cost up to £250. You can also claim up to £50 compensation. There are 20 types of repairs which qualify for the scheme, including insecure doors, broken entry phone systems, blocked sinks and leaking roofs. Your local authority will be able to give you a full list of the repairs covered by the scheme.
A repair will not qualify for the scheme if the local authority has fewer than 100 properties, is not responsible for the repair or if the authority decides it would cost more than £250.
In Scotland, tenants of local authorities, registered social landlords (including fully mutual co-operative housing associations) and water and sewerage authorities have a right to repair scheme which covers 'qualifying' repairs up to the value of £350.
In Scotland, for more information about the right to repair, see Renting from a public sector landlord.
In England and Wales, if you're the tenant of another social landlord, such as a housing association, you should get compensation if you report a repair or maintenance problem which affects your health, safety or security and your landlord fails twice to make the repair within the set timescale. There is a flat rate award which is currently £10, plus £2 a day up to a total of £50, for each day the repair remains outstanding. A maximum cost for an eligible repair may be set by the individual landlord. You should contact your landlord for more details about the scheme.
With these details in mind I looked into the cost of a fence being fitted and the results were as follows: 3x fence panels = £43.98 (includes gate entry as previously fitted), 3x support posts = £14.27, labour (for two men to fit in an 8 hour period) £94.88 (based on national minimum wage) total = £153.13 > This total falls well short of the £250 limit used in the right to repair scheme.

What can i do to try and resolve these issues ? I only moved into the property on March 10th 2010.