Hi @lolerz The original email went directly to the housing association. We pay our housing association rent and service charges all in our monthly payment (one single payment). The housing association give us a breakdown of service charges at the end of the year and this is where it states external management company.

Thanks @stu007, I have gone ahead and sent off an email to the housing association outlining what you said regarding data protection. In the meantime I want to get the rent payments stopped as soon as possible and I think by me putting the complaint in it will make it a longer process. I'm making the assumption they can back date any payments as I have raised the initial issue via email. Do you think that clause will stick? Currently there is a messaging group via whatsapp which has all the residents in but I don't feel it's being very productive, lots of people going round in circles and not taking the necessary steps to collect information in the correct manor such as getting everything in writing. Some residents weren't effected as much as others so the steam is starting to run out. Currently this feels like a battle I'm going to have to fight alone unfortunately. In terms of the damp course, I am waiting for the building insurance surveyor to book me in for a visit, but will keep you posted of there findings. Regarding a solicitor I have approached several firms but none of them seem to be at all interested, Possibly this time of year for them is extremely busy or they would just rather do simpler jobs - however if you are aware for someone who can help, please let me know. In the meantime I am documenting as much as possible in case it is needed in the future. That being said, I know the housing association do have a compensation process which I could apply for but again I would assume they are going to try and get away with paying next to nothing. In terms of which housing association it is I have tried to keep this under the radar as you can tell due to the possibility of them finding this post, happy to tell you who they are via private message. I will keep you posted if they come back with anything.

Hi @stu007 Thank you for your help on this. Currently my communication with them is via email, I am happy with this as any email which is sent I get a automated response to say they have received it and it will hopefully speed the process up. So you have some context of the situation I will explain exactly what has happed to date and our current setup: We currently hold 26% of the property, while the remaining portion is under the ownership of the Housing Association. We pay the Housing Association rent along with various service charges encompassing Day-to-Day Repairs, Drain Maintenance, Ground Maintenance, Water Pump Maintenance, fees for an External Management Company, and building insurance. The Housing Association currently own the road including the land. - This is my understanding of the existing setup. On Thursday evening last week around 10:40 pm, a flood impacted our local community area and property. While the water level didn't reach a critical point to flood the house entirely (only some minor water which entered in the back doors which we contained), it did flow into our garage, eventually spilling onto the road due to non-operational drains. This backup caused the garage to flood. Despite attempting to contact Housing Association on their emergency line, we were unable to reach anyone. During the flooding a fire crew attended and said there was a pump in the corner of the estate which was supposed to pump the water away from the drains but it was switched off - I have a recording of the fireman saying this on my doorbell. Consequently, the water remained stagnant all night which would have damaged our property further as it surrounded our house until we successfully reached the Housing Association via telephone the following morning. They dispatched a drain contractor and a pump engineer to resolve the issue, ultimately clearing the water. Subsequently, we engaged with the building insurance company who is provided by the Housing Association, who sent an assessor from a company called Belfor. Their assessment highlighted significant concerns regarding the property's foundation - verbally this was told to me as well. During the flooding, a small amount of water infiltrated the house through a patch in the hallway, situated centrally. There was no water ingress through the doors or windows apart from the small amount which we managed to control by the back doors. The carpets remained dry throughout the ground floor. However, the concrete and underlay were thoroughly saturated, indicating a potential issue with the damp course installation or malfunction. - I am hoping the insurance company will investigate this but await confirmation they will. Unfortunately we didn't have contents insurance but luckily we managed to pull a lot of the furniture up etc. Currently the building insurance have put us up in alternative accommodation as the house is a hazard and after only a few days our lungs where starting to be effected. As the Housing Association is responsible for maintaining the water pump and the drains and there is doubt the water pump was working I believe this could be seen as negligence on their part along with potentially the foundations being installed incorrectly, however I believe we may need to get further proof - I sent off an email to the Housing Association requesting more information focusing on the water pump and drains - please see attached In terms of rental payments I have also attached this communication for you to read, this is the clause in our lease: "Suspension of rent in case of insured damage If the whole or any part of the Premises are destroyed or damaged by fire or any other risks covered by the Landlord's insurance so as to be rendered unfit for use then (unless the insurance money is irrecoverable by reason of any act or default of the Leaseholder) the Specified Rent or a fair proportion of it shall be suspended until the Premises are again fit for use." Ultimately our goal is to pursue the House Association for damages and compensation if they are negligent with the water pump, drains or the foundations and non rental payments during this time. I haven't put in a formal complaint yet until I have further proof about the pump, foundations etc.. I appreciate you looking over this and I will go ahead and reply regarding the rent once you have OK'd it incase you feel there is anything else we need to add. Many thanks once again Formal Request for Rent Suspension Due to Unfit Premises Following Flood Damage.pdf Formal Request for Comprehensive Maintenance History Water Pump and Drainage.pdf

Thank you, I have seen a few other posts and he appears to be quite the wizard. I need someone with his expertise to bounce my communication off...

Hi all, Our house got flooded last week, and I read through our lease, which said payments might be suspended if the property becomes uninhabitable (which it is). I sent an email with this request today, and they have said they dont/can't find a copy of our lease. Is there any benefit for me not to send it?