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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:
worriedatthistime · 12/04/2022 11:46

I think best thing is speak to housing officer and explain there may be notes on system of previous calls etc and they will be best placed to advice you

uncomfortablydumb53 · 12/04/2022 11:55

Good luck with your call
You've informed them of your change of circumstances so I hope they are understanding

Wednesdayafternoon · 12/04/2022 12:26

@worriedatthistime this is true but it's their responsibility to store and record calls to support the advice that they give so if they don't have the call they are leaving them self in a vulnerable position.

I've worked in a Call Center environment for over ten years!

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missymarrk · 12/04/2022 13:14

How did you get on?

Original poster
DuvetHugger · 12/04/2022 13:17

I spoke to the housing officer who was a little abrupt. She claims my ex rang to put me on tenancy but between ex and person they spoke to, they decided to add me as an occupant instead.

After a few tears and me explaining I'd been paying the rent all this time etc, she spoke to a manager who referred her higher again (still waiting on final decision) they saod not to worry and that I wouldn't be evicted because this is the right size house for my son and I, she saod ideally they are hoping they can add me to tenancy and remove ex, and backdate it so they can then inform universal credit it was their error. I'm expecting a call back this afternoon. Feel a bit better but still worried.

Thank you all so much for your advice, I was able to explain everything netter thanks to you all

OP posts:
Original poster
DuvetHugger · 12/04/2022 13:18

*better

OP posts:
Lochjeda · 12/04/2022 13:24

Don't worry, it'll all be resolved!

The4teddybears · 12/04/2022 13:35

I work In social housing. A lot depends if the property is the right size for you now. If it’s got extra bedrooms I’d say they might give you “a” tenenancy but not that property. But on the other hand if they have been charging “rent “ and you’ve been paying “rent” I’m sure it can be classed as yours legally . If you hadn’t paid rent it would be different . My council , upon finding this situation would end the tenancy and whilst looking in to the legalities would make you temporary a lodger in occupation and charge you accordingly lodger in occupation charges (note not called rent ). After their investigation show you have been honestly and truly living there they should give you a tenancy …. See the start of my message as to why you might not get this property .

Original poster
DuvetHugger · 12/04/2022 13:36

Also, ex has had a phone call asking him to sign something saying he hasn't lived there for the last 2 years. Still waiting on call

OP posts:
WhiteFire · 12/04/2022 13:46

Fingers crossed it is all sorted.

worriedatthistime · 12/04/2022 13:56

@Wednesdayafternoon housing associations aren't call centres

Daphnedot · 12/04/2022 14:04

@worriedatthistime HA have call centres, all calls are recorded, documented on a crm system.

Babyroobs · 12/04/2022 14:05

[quote Wednesdayafternoon]@worriedatthistime this is true but it's their responsibility to store and record calls to support the advice that they give so if they don't have the call they are leaving them self in a vulnerable position.

I've worked in a Call Center environment for over ten years![/quote]
It is the call between Universal credit and the HA which is crucial and Uc should hopefully have that call recorded and be able to verify what was said between the HA and UC. I think UC will normally ring the HA to verify tenancy and rent paid.

worriedatthistime · 12/04/2022 14:50

@Daphnedot mine doesn't say all calls are recorded when I call them , plus you sometimes speak to HA etc in person as well not all on the phone

uncomfortablydumb53 · 12/04/2022 15:36

I'm so glad you managed to explain your situation clearly. It's not easy
Don't worry, they've admitted their error.

Wednesdayafternoon · 12/04/2022 16:43

@worriedatthistime they might not be a call Centre but they are giving out advice and authorising situations to customers so they record their calls to have their advice on record for situations like this otherwise they could lie about every advice they've ever given.
I'm only trying to help the OP, I don't know why you're being so disagreeable with me in particular.

Wednesdayafternoon · 12/04/2022 16:45

@DuvetHugger

I spoke to the housing officer who was a little abrupt. She claims my ex rang to put me on tenancy but between ex and person they spoke to, they decided to add me as an occupant instead.

After a few tears and me explaining I'd been paying the rent all this time etc, she spoke to a manager who referred her higher again (still waiting on final decision) they saod not to worry and that I wouldn't be evicted because this is the right size house for my son and I, she saod ideally they are hoping they can add me to tenancy and remove ex, and backdate it so they can then inform universal credit it was their error. I'm expecting a call back this afternoon. Feel a bit better but still worried.

Thank you all so much for your advice, I was able to explain everything netter thanks to you all

So glad that you've had some better news OP! ♥️
worriedatthistime · 12/04/2022 17:27

@Wednesdayafternoon just saying mine don't say they record calls so you might not be able to ask for a copy if the call as suggested, looks like the OP is handled it anyway and spoken to HA who are trying to sort the situation put for her

andysgirl22 · 12/04/2022 17:31

Did the rent part from UC get paid to you op? Or did it get paid straight o the ha?

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