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Original poster

Letter from Housing Association - very stressed

69 replies

DuvetHugger · 11/04/2022 17:06

For background - In 2015 I moved in with my partner into their social housing house. I never added myself down as a tenant, just never got around to it really.

In 2019 my partner finally added me to the tenancy because I fell pregnant and I wanted to make sure I had security.

In October 2020 we broke up as I found out he was cheating. He rang the housing association to say he was moving out and that I was now the tenant.

Every time I rang them up to pay rent or to report a repair they kept saying that my name wasn't down as a tenant and that they would look into it.

I developed PND and forgot all about it.

I started a UC claim in 2021 for housing and childcare costs, everything was fine and this was verified by housing association.

UC recently asked me if my rent went up in April 2022 and I replied yes and filled in the details. I have now received a letter from the housing addressed to ex saying that I have made a claim for housing but am not listed as a joint tenant. The verification in 2021 was an oversight and they have informed UC that not only am I not a tenant, but that we are currently a couple living there!

So now UC are going to think I am committing benefit fraud and I probably wont get my housing costs this month.

I am so stressed out. I have rang housing association and they said they would get back to me.

Any advice here??!

I am so stressed out that I don't know where to start :(

OP posts:

Babyroobs · 11/04/2022 18:45

@Lemon221

Hi I work for housing, you need to ask them to do a joint to sole, it’s a deed of assignment to make you the sole tenant. It’s a legal document to say you have taken over the tenancy solely. You cannot just say he has moved out. If you aren’t currently joint tenants they may not be able to do this as he is the only one on the tenancy, in which case you will have to a sole to joint tenancy and then apply to do a joint to sole. It depends what housing association you are with. Ring them up and explain the situation they cannot just chuck you out on the streets. You do need to read the tenancy agreement to see if he has broken any of the agreements by moving out. I do not know this affects your benefits though. Ring your income officer and explain the situation, they will be best placed to offer advice. Good luck x

I don't understand how people can just jump the queue like this when there could be thousands of others waiting a long time for housing? Move in with a partner for a short time, partner moves out and you get to keep the tenancy when others could have bene waiting years ? Something not right there surely ?

70kid · 11/04/2022 18:46

If you are are ok terms with your ex ask him to provide proof of where he is living at the moment
Phone rent general bills

caringcarer · 11/04/2022 18:51

Try to stay calm. I hope you can sort this out. I would be surprised if they made you homeless with a baby.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Benefits Property legal advice

Babyroobs · 11/04/2022 18:52

I doubt you will ahve to pay rent costs back - clearly the HA were at fault here when they gave the information to UC or did not ask to see a tenancy agreement.
As above you should be able to prove you are single by providing details of bills in your name, proof of address where your ex lives etc and that his car insurance etc is registered at his address. So I do not think you would be accused of fraud.

Unforgettablefire · 11/04/2022 18:55

@Babyroobs well that’s helpful to the op. Nothing like kicking someone when they’re down.

Babyroobs · 11/04/2022 19:06

[quote Unforgettablefire]@Babyroobs well that’s helpful to the op. Nothing like kicking someone when they’re down.[/quote]
Maybe not but that's effectively what has happened. I wonder whether op's partner did not actually remove himself from the tenancy as that would have flagged up the issue at the time surely?

CherryRipe1 · 11/04/2022 19:25

Speak to Shelter. Notting hill Genesis used to allow joint tenancies but don't know about now. It was quite a drawn out process with checks so you would have known something about being made a joint tenant with your HA. For compliance HA would want your national insurance no. Also annual tenancy checks by HOs should have flagged anomalies. Good luck 🤞 xx

Original poster

DuvetHugger · 11/04/2022 19:30

I work 30 hours a week and get help from UC for housing, childcare costs, for him amd being a single person.

When we first made the claim together, he was down ad living with me. Obviously we weren't entitled to much, about 50 a month. When we broke up I informed housing association and UC.

Housing association verified the claim but now saying that was an oversight. For the last 2 years!! I can't eat or function right now

OP posts:

Babyroobs · 11/04/2022 19:36

@DuvetHugger

I work 30 hours a week and get help from UC for housing, childcare costs, for him amd being a single person.

When we first made the claim together, he was down ad living with me. Obviously we weren't entitled to much, about 50 a month. When we broke up I informed housing association and UC.

Housing association verified the claim but now saying that was an oversight. For the last 2 years!! I can't eat or function right now

Try not to worry - The HA are at fault here, they should not have verified the UC claim for rent element, that is not your fault. You should be able to prove your partner has moved out as all your bills etc will just be in your name and his will be elsewhere, so you should not be accused of benefit fraud for claiming as single. The problem is the tenancy. As pp says speak to shelter for accurate advise they are very good.

DontStopMeNow7 · 11/04/2022 19:39

Don’t worry too much yet OP. Perhaps book a day off work if possible and get an appointment with citizens advice regarding the HA. If it is an “oversight” on their part it is very unlikely it will be down to you to repay anything especially as you really have been living there alone. I’ve had many similar stressful experiences with HAs, Councils and benefits and it all gets sorted eventually because I’ve stood my ground and sought out advice and support.

missymarrk · 11/04/2022 19:44

Go straight to your MP tomorrow and explain the situation to them. They may be able to help. I wouldn't worry too much. Honestly. X

Original poster

DuvetHugger · 11/04/2022 19:45

He is down on electoral elsewhere and I can prove all bills come from my account.

I have a day off tomorrow, although do have a toddler ha. I'm going to ring my housing officer and see if we can meet or discuss over phone.

OP posts:

uncomfortablydumb53 · 11/04/2022 20:36

Are you on the electoral roll as resident there?
It seems as if he may have added you to the occupant but you'd have had to sign a joint tenancy agreement together at the HA offices.
I'm sorry, you must be shocked.
Citizens advice would be able to advise you and liaise with the HA on your behalf if necessary

Caramelblonde · 11/04/2022 21:02

This would have been happening around the lock down and covid shut offices. There has clearly been a mistake made by verifying you as a tenant. It may be that your ex didn't inform them of joint tenancy. However you should gather up paperwork, bank statements, household bills showing your sole name. That will show you've been on your own for the period in question. It may take some sorting out, start with the Housing tomorrow. They have definitely informed UC wrongly, not you. 💐

Xpologog · 11/04/2022 21:09

@DuvetHugger

I also guess this means I will have to pay back all the rent I claimed. I am down as living there though so what is the difference between that and being a tenant?

If you’ve paid the rent since your ex moved out then at least you’ll have proof of that.

MissMaple82 · 11/04/2022 21:12

You cant just move into a social housing house like that. There's a high possibility you will be done for fraud and lose the home. Nothing you can do but wait to see whst they say

NoEffingWay · 11/04/2022 21:25

I have no helpful advice other than to say that I wish you luck sorting this out.

Maternitynamechange · 11/04/2022 21:34

Op did they preclude you from paying rent for a number of months after he moved out? How many months was that and what was it that meant you could resume?

mmmmmmghturep · 11/04/2022 22:31

@Babyroobs So what are you saying, that only people who can afford a mortgage should have a relationship that involves living together. Because it sounds like you think the OP planned HIS affair. Classism AND misogyny.

Greyisgood · 11/04/2022 22:34

Maybe the op could clarify. It seems you had a joint claim for UC then switched to a single claim, but HA then incorrectly confirmed to UC that you were the tenant, so the DWP paid you housing costs even though you are not on the tenancy agreement?

I think you need to stay calm and speak to your housing officer asap. Then consider what to do next. If your ex is named on the tenancy legally, in theory, he is liable for the rent, but your situation is a bit murky as you've been paying the rent without a legal agreement.

Some wild allegations on here.

"You commit benefit fraud by claiming benefits you’re not entitled to on purpose. For example by:

not reporting a change in your circumstances
providing false information"

That's from the DWP website. Note "on purpose", not by accident.

I'd wait and see what the HA says first of all. As an aside I've found it impossible to get through to Shelter on the phone in my area, you might be better seeking advice from a local law centre, or CAB, depending on what the HA actually say.

AnneLovesGilbert · 11/04/2022 22:49

Please contact your MP as well as your housing officer. It’s urgent and that’s what they’re there for.

Gazelda · 11/04/2022 23:03

@MissMaple82

You cant just move into a social housing house like that. There's a high possibility you will be done for fraud and lose the home. Nothing you can do but wait to see whst they say

I'm not sure of your experience in this field, but unless you are a legal or housing expert then I think you should not be posting this sort of thing.

OP, you're right to be getting professional advice. Keep calm. You will get to the bottom of this.

Does your ex pay child support?

Good luck

Original poster

DuvetHugger · 12/04/2022 09:07

I'm about to ring the housing association. I feel sick!

OP posts:

Wednesdayafternoon · 12/04/2022 10:38

@DuvetHugger if they claim there has been an oversight then you need to tell them to refer back to their call recordings and review the information they have provided you.
Emotional and finical distress cause by their oversight.
I would also speak to your gp regarding the level of stress and anxiety this is giving you and have that on record!

Hoping you get things sorted OP!

worriedatthistime · 12/04/2022 11:45

@Wednesdayafternoon not all record or keep them for x amount of time either

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