31 replies to this topic

[danm]

Possible compensation from the council, they've told me...

Last night my rented council garage got flooded from above. A sewage pipe burst, and leaked literal $hite and water from the ceiling and down the walls. The floor was entirely soaked. Quite funny, in retrospect, but not good. 1000000-1 accident as there are a string of flats above, and mine got hit... through 3 storeys.

I keep the bonnet up, windows down, boot open to air it and i was partway working on cleaning and tidying up the engine bay.

Needless to say, everything has been drenched to the bone.

Water got into the boot, through one of the windows, the door cards are soaked, there's a pool in the footwell, the engine looks jet blasted, seats like sponges etc.
 

I need to find out if I have contents insurance with my house, as the garage is separate and across the road. But the council have apologised and offered me a chance for compensation if I tally up damages. It almost sounds ok of them, but I don't think they realise how bad it truly is.

 

Water in the doors could set off rot and in 12 months they'll be totally rotten. But now, just wet and smelly. What should I do?

 

I have no idea the extent of the damage off the top of my head. In truth, I was working on cleaning the car, so it was not concours. I intended to paint up the engine and floorpans etc amongst many things, but this wetness on the bare metal could ruin them quicker. As for the engine, its anyones guess.

What would you all do, honestly?

 

Massive thanks in advance to anyone who can offer their opinion! :) 

Edited by danm, 02 December 2014 - 10:33 PM.

[olds_kool_lews]

I would claim for everything thats wet, and then some! They dont repair the roads properly, they claim no end of expenses etc so claim for all you can to claw some of it back!

[Rhys]

Claim for professional services, if it's sewage then you will need a professional company to clean the garage/car etc etc. Those are reasonable expectations on your part, plus irreparable damage to any tools/parts/property I would say be stern but don't push your luck, claim the maximum for everything as long as it really is damaged. 

[Carlos W]

Due to the health hazard involved you need it all to be cleaned properly and professionally, but if you put a ridiculous claim in they are likely not to pay and you are committing fraud 

[Ethel]

I'm surprised they'll even let you in there on HSE grounds. It's their garage so they will be responsible for cleaning it, and there's a good chance they'll pick up the bill for alternate storage while they do. Either way your stuff will need cleaning to a hygienic standard (contractor?) beforehand. The limiting factor could be the pre poo value of you Mini. 

[danm]

This is the trouble, its just a run around car with cosmetic damage beforehand that I was fixing up.

I do think it is predominantly regular drainage water that's soaked everything, but it was a sewer pipe that burst so who knows, it could infact be the filtered poo water.

If its just water, the damage is probably all repairable with time drying and a day spent clearing up/letting it out in the sun. But its just an inconvenience, because the door cards are now all warped and areas of internal and untreated exposed metal is now going to rust up much quicker. Kinda contradicts the reason I kept it dry stored whilst I started stripping it down.

Nearly all the things in the garage have been sourced second hand (my seats, door cards, lamps etc). Water hasn't killed them, but its left marks and smells, and damp isn't easy to rid with suede seats. I've no idea what the electrics have had done.

So how exactly would I 'price' this up for the compensation they are offering in such a short space of time? I'm an honest guy. The MK1 MR2 seats, for example, cost me £80 the pair, but are salvageable, if a little damaged, and I am happy to reuse them.

Do I say nothing on those, ask £30 to be professionally steam cleaned? The door cards, bought 3 days ago on gumtree for £40 are now warped, but still usable. Its quite tricky!
 

[Carlos W]

You're right, Suede is difficult to clean!

 

Maybe get a price from a professional cleaner?

 

A tin of waxoyl in areas which you think are untreated exposed metal (where do you think these are?)

[Jordie]

BE CAREFULL WHAT YOU SAY.

 

Most council garages ive owned and dealt with across several different councils, are for storage of a road going vehicle only (must be taxed, mot, insured). Check your contract as some councils will not let you use the garage to carry out any repairs, so if you have suggested to them you were repairing the vehicle / had tools in the garage etc, you might find yourself in breach of the contract.

 

Jordie

[Ethel]

It wouldn't matter, they'd still be responsible for the damage unless there was a very specific clause saying you couldn't even keep those items in there. Perhaps they would analyse some of the spillage to ascertain the health risk if you asked them?

[patricksouth]

I had a problem with a council rented garage a while back the garage itself was broken into but who ever got in had a key as there was not damage to the garage and the door was locked.....any way they stole my engine amount other parts,but due to the contract i had signed they were not liable to pay me compensation as the garages are to be used for the overnight storage of a vehicle that is taxed and insured....so i would tread very carefully....but i think as some have said already be fair with the claim and not ask for too much and they will probably pay out....good luck

[Brams96]

If you have had $h1tty water contaminate the carpet, door cards etc then total replacement would be the only way to go. Who knows what bacteria & bugs could be soaked into them!! You could have spores growing away & breathing them in when you next drive it. You would also need the entire car steam cleaned & valeted to get it clean not to mention all the tools that got wet. Also any electrical tools could need replacing ;) as they're a potential fire hazard if you use them.

[Ethel]

I had a problem with a council rented garage a while back the garage itself was broken into but who ever got in had a key as there was not damage to the garage and the door was locked.....any way they stole my engine amount other parts,but due to the contract i had signed they were not liable to pay me compensation as the garages are to be used for the overnight storage of a vehicle that is taxed and insured....so i would tread very carefully....but i think as some have said already be fair with the claim and not ask for too much and they will probably pay out....good luck

The difference is the condition of the drains is the council's responsibility if it's their property. 

[Black.Ghost]

Check the contract and then claim for all of it. I personally would not want to be driving a mini knowing it had been covered in actual poo.

[danm]

Had to leave work yesterday after the council rang to tell me they need me to inspect the damage, document it, write to them and take it from there.

 

I went to the civic centre to ask for a copy of the contract and it says they are not liable for any damages caused to a vehicle left there. Seems ridiculous, as this was a fault that was induced by a worker above who broke the sewage line.

 

But the fact the council claims team contacted me first again to see how it was going seems promising. I'm sending my letter today, I'll let you all know.

 

The annoying thing is I think I only have a few pics of it in its good state only weeks before for comparison. Those, any from the official london to brighton run and the mot/tax confirmation to prove it was legally running and on the road.

 

The lady yesterday asked if it just needed a full valet, but that isn't going to do anything, because the inside is now stripped and just stacked with parts; and the outside has all its arches/grill/bonnet up etc.

Pic shows today after I shifted the car as far to the other side as possible. Most of the main mess has dried up, and the leak is now contained to one side wall only (was across 3/4 ceiling yesterday!). But it's still dripping rapidly. Imagine the windows open, bonnet off (since closed) and the car close to the wall but on the wet side - That's how the inside got pooped up.

 

Could have been a lot worse!

Edited by danm, 02 December 2014 - 10:39 PM.

[danm]

Update: It's now fully burst.

 

Drain guys are on site to rod it all. I'm at work, told guy above who called me (friend) to bust my doors and lock.

 

Said its literally GUSHING liquid piss and **** and health officer said nobody can enter.

 

Currently pissing all over my seats, new boxed spotlights, tools and into my boot.

 

Brilliant!