damp problem to council property

[poochie]

My mother and father in law have been complaining for years that their house was damp and my husband who is surveyor confirmed this and told them to keep complaining. After around 10years, council finally got fed up of complaints and have moved my in-laws into hotel till damp proofing done on property.
Their furniture was put into storage paid by council.
The problem now is that when carpets were lifted, they were disgusting due to dampness, the wallpaper has damp crawling up it, lino was damaged by workers etc. They are finding more damage as each day goes by when they go to check on the work. Some door handles are broken, switches are broken. walls are squint due to stuff being put up on them etc.
When my mother in law asked housing officer if they were paying for carpets, wallpaper etc she was told no. This has been put down to the fact that on day removel men had come for furniture, she had locked all windows etc and just at same time, a surveyor came from council and told mother in law that damp was caused because she had all vents and windows closed. She had been complaining bout this for years!
It seems they are looking to blame her rather than their council.
Does anyone know how she can claim compensation to get carpets,wallpaper etc...they are pensioners and cant afford to pay out for the damage that council workers have left?
Please help!

[chiefengineer]

Hello,

I'm sure someone will comes along who knows more than me, but isn't there a Housing Ombudsman Scheme that a complaint can be made to?

Jeremy

[strangewayofsavin]

Tell your parents to go to their local housing office or citizens advice and ask for a copy of the following leaflet:
Landlords and tenants.
It gives the low down on what is required by law for either parties, and gives advice on how to complain.
It is a goverment produced leaflet and may be available on the internet via your local authority or the relevant section of the Health and saftey site Information about health and safety at work