To think I’ve a right to deny her request

[Goingwiththeflow2019]

So to not drip feed - partner and I live separately at the moment. Both work in the financial industry with myself working remotely/from home. We currently pay two lots of rent (£400 inc of bills for me and approx £395 rent & then bills on top for him). We’ve found the perfect house opposite his daughters school who he has custody of and available for the rent to buy scheme at £440 per month and with bills our total outgoings with be around £690. A massive saving for us to allow purchasing at the end of the 5 years with the money saved tucked away.

We submitted our applications and as part of this was asked to provide our own copies of our credit report. On pulling mine, it became apparent corrections were not completed from 2016 whereby I was a victim of identity fraud. This was brought to my attention back in 2015 following our company doing credit checks and the police were involved- the two criminals pleaded guilty and I was assured these fraud accounts would be corrected. Clearly not.

So, the we received a call from the Housing Association processing our application regarding the defaulted accounts. I explained the situation and that since it’s come to light the accounts weren’t closed as per my assurance at the time, I’ve raised a police complaint and complaints with the ombudsman to have it amended. I offered the crime reference and was advised it was ‘irrelevant’ as it’s ‘just my word’. Come the Monday we received an email to state our application had been denied due to the above and failing to provide any evidence...

I emailed back with a copy of a letter sent to me after the trail detailing the accounts in question, the accused names and the sentences. Following this, we went back and forth with 15 emails as the person was asking me to validate why they began to make payments when initially taking out the credit. Politely I explained I’m not the criminal and cannot explain or speculate their actions. I provided letters from HR to confirm they were aware of the defaults but deemed me not a risk due to the police investigation & I’ve been promoted TWICE since the incident.

Last Wednesday we received another email now asking for the police crime reference but from the police directly - apparently the 2017 letter didn’t have it on. By this point I’m an emotional wreck going back and forth that my partner rang and explained this process feels like a game of ping pong for every time we provide the ‘last bit of information needed’ she wants something else. She advised she only now needed the crime reference and preferably a letter from the police with it on.

I travelled to the police station where the crime was reported to obtain the reference on headed paper. The police woman couldn’t believe the validation we are being asked given the other letter explains all plus all the HR letters from a bank but produced it for us.

Today I sent it. I’ve now had ANOTHER email asking for permission (for GDPR reasons) for her to call the police to discuss the letter and crime reference in order to finalise our application. I replied and stated I didn’t feel comfortable with this as I was a victim of a sexual assault in addition to the ID Theft and the police officer on Friday confirmed there’s cross references on the case. I have had another email stating she will only discuss the fraud and this will ‘help us have our house’ as without it the application won’t continue.

My partner called 101 who said they would literally confirm my name relates next to the crime reference number and nothing more however when I called I got someone who stated they were new after confirming to me they would provide the details on the case but then backtracked when I said we were advised it wouldn’t be given.

I feel this is gone to far. 2016 was a really traumatic year for me with both of these to the extent I went to counselling up until last year and even moved from one end of the country to the other with work to escape and live my life however it seems that year wants to haunt me. He believes we’ve came this far battling her prejudgement of us racking up the defaults and might as well let her have the permission

GDPR says I’ve a right to refuse, which I have, but I feel like I’m being forced into a corner to say yes because of the house. If I say no again, she’s alluded to denying our application and using the house like a carrot & stick to me.

My anxiety has gone to shot and whilst she states she will only discuss the application fraud, given how she’s spoken to me, my partner and employer (VP rang her to ask what she wanted in a letter from HR so it was correct first time) as well as the intrusive questions being asked I don’t have faith she won’t push and obtain details about my assault as it’s mentioned in the same report.

AIBU and just give permission or is she going to far and being nosey in something delicate and sensitive despite having headed letters as proof of all?

[Jaimemai]

Why on earth would the police give out information about your sex assault to a housing woman. They are not that stupid and careless. I have dealt with police and they will only give information specific to what is asked.

[JeNeBaguetteRien]

I'm not saying it's right and she should be allowed. I'm just saying its not the end of the world if she does find out somehow. If the OP feels that this would be the end of the world then she just needs to say no and risk losing the house.

But this is exactly what the OP is worried about!
Having already been a victim of identity theft and sexual assault the last thing she needs is to have control of the situation removed from her, or her housing situation to be compromised thus increasing feelings of victimisation.

Fairly fundamental lack of empathy there Fam.

Hope you get sorted OP. I'd suggest speaking to the manager tomorrow.

[ItsClemFandangoCanYouHearMe]

Can you request that the police redact any information relating to the assault?

[Aguamenti]

complain and tweet to them. They always answer positively when they are shamed on social media.

[Famalamaringwrong]

I have plenty of empathy thanks, you dont even know me theres no need to be rude. It's just weighing up the pros and cons and finding a solution - if she feels uncomfortable then she can refuse and likely lose the house. It's a choice, emotion doesn't need to fully come into it.

[Adarajames]

Not L&Q is it, I’ve had endless issues with them! Not beyond lying / asking for things they have no right to request either!
Contact the manager or their complaints department, they’re obliged to respond to complaints swiftly or reflects badly when they’re looked at by ombudsmen, I’ve found it’s only way to get them to sort things in a decent time frame.

[Wellandtrulyoutnumbered]

Speak to supervisor, ask for the allocations policy. If no further further ask for organisation hierarchy and complaints procedure.

[category12]

I would escalate this and start the housing association's complaints process.

[Veterinari]

The issue is that the OP has been violated and victimised through the assault and the fraud, so retaining some control around this information is important.

The Housing woman has the information that she needs and is being a jobsworth. OP request a referral to her manager

[Margot33]

I would agree to it, to get the house.

[TixieLix]

Totally missing the point of the thread, but is this house directly across the road from the school? So many people complain about how dreadful it is living near a school because of inconsiderate parents and their parking. Your DPs daughter won't go to this school forever but the inconsiderate parking/blocked drives etc will go on and on and get worse as time goes on. Be careful what you wish for OP.

[Eliza9919]

How is the assault info mixed up with the ID theft info? Just get the police to correct that?

[Goingwiththeflow2019]

Thank you for all your replies, it’s been comforting and appreciated - I will ring before my meeting in the morning and ask specifically for the manager following up anything in an email as confirmation. Regardless if we’ve this house or not we will be raising a complaint as suggested.

The assault was crossed over with the fraud because one of those who admitted the fraud instigated the assault hence details being of both. I don’t feel there’s any way to have the details omitted due to the case as a whole

[Alicewond]

Send a letter to your local mp stating what you’ve already shared here. From experience working for local government this almost always reverses any decision! Once they write to to head of services it’s easier to back down

[ScurrilousSquirrel]

When assessing whether consent is freely given, utmost account shall be taken of whether, inter alia, the performance of a contract, including the provision of a service, is conditional on consent to the processing of personal data that is not necessary for the performance of that contract.

gdpr-info.eu/art-7-gdpr/

It's not necessary for her to discuss your circumstances with the police in order to process your placement, therefore, she can do one.