HOMES Time to deck the halls DESK BUDDIES

They may be cramped but student digs don’t have to be dire. GABRIELLE FAGAN has some class kit that won’t break the budget

bours are selling up they’re unlikely to be interested in spending any money on the property, but you could threaten to take out an injunction preventing the sale of the house until the repairs are completed.

They would have to disclose any dispute with neighbours during the process of selling the property, so that might prompt them into action.

The council also has powers to deal with such ‘statutory nuisances’ under the Environmental Protection Act. Speak to a solicitor about your options quickly if you want to do something about this before the current owner sells the property.

HOME SAFETY

Q. Do people have the same responsibility to prevent accidents in their homes as they do at work? I know there are all sorts of rules and regulations governing safety in shops and factories. My son came home with a large bruise on his head after they’d apparently been sliding on a polished floor at a friend’s house. Aren’t parents obliged to ensure the safety of children they’re supposed to be looking after?

A. Parents aren’t held to blame for neglecting the safety of their children and others in the same way as an employer in a shop or factory. Shops and factories are more potentially dangerous places so stricter laws apply. Obviously parents are obliged to ensure the safety of any visitor to their home but if your son is over ten years old, he would be considered to be responsible for his actions. As it is only a bruise, do you want to claim against your son’s friend’s parents?

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