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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Council on my case all the time ...aibu ?

109 replies

rachybachyboo · 30/09/2021 11:53

I rent my home through council.
I have been a tenant for 4 years with them.
I have been employed for 3 and a bit years and currently unemployed for the past 6 months.
I receive UC

The past few months I've had constant messages from the council.
I get paid the 29th of the month and I get a message
"Hi it's Lisa ..just to let you know your rent payment needs to be paid today"

It's paid every month on time,never been in arrears.
Then middle of the month il get A phone call from housing officer reminding me my rent is due in a fortnight.
I'm sick of it
Aibu ?

OP posts:
MrsBobDylan · 30/09/2021 12:25

The call and text will both be automated. You don't need to answer to call to hear the rent reminder message or open the text.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 30/09/2021 12:27

My bank sends me an email monthly to tell me my direct debit will go out on such a date.
The tax office email me to tell me my payment is going out on the 16th.

But firstly, those are emails, which are there if you want/need them and can be ignored if you don't; and secondly, they're confirming what THEY are going to do under the terms of the direct debit - not nagging YOU to do something.

Is it the same person who calls every time? I'd be inclined to call her every month to 'remind' her that the UC payment needs to be made to you on the specific due date. Regular phone calls are very intrusive and demanding of your attention; I don't think an automated text or email to everybody would be untoward, though.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 30/09/2021 12:31

@MrsBobDylan

The call and text will both be automated. You don't need to answer to call to hear the rent reminder message or open the text.
An automated message?

@rachybachyboo has said it is not automated.

Akire · 30/09/2021 12:33

You could asking how much in credit you have to be to avoid the phone calls. It could be anyone with a zero balance gets a call maybe small amount credit would mean you not in the urgent list?

Sobeyondthehills · 30/09/2021 12:34

Can I just check, that you get money of the 29th and your rent is due on the 29th?

If so, it is possible that they are not recieving it for 3 working days, its how it works with my HA. Rent is due on the Monday, but we have to pay it on the Friday, so that it is paid on time, because they don't recieve it straight away

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 30/09/2021 12:34

It's their property, they are entitled to take the necessary steps to ensure they get paid.

That's the same kind of attitude you see with certain small shopkeepers, who glare at everybody (not just those they recognise or acting shiftily) whenever they pick up items to look at them. Places like that don't tend to get a lot of return custom.

It's fine to take general precautions, but it's grossly unfair to assume the worst of everybody - and treat them accordingly - when they've either done nothing to suggest bad intentions or have even proved over a long period that they are trustworthy.

Gimlisaxe · 30/09/2021 12:36

@Akire

You could asking how much in credit you have to be to avoid the phone calls. It could be anyone with a zero balance gets a call maybe small amount credit would mean you not in the urgent list?
Also this, we have to have month is advance on our account if paying monthly
Original poster
rachybachyboo · 30/09/2021 12:36

My rent isn't "due" on the 29th.
That's the date I get my UC and told the council I would pay.
My rent with the council is charged weekly and I pay on the 29th
All of which has been no problem
When I worked I paid on the 30 th and never got a phone call.

OP posts:
Pheasantlysurprised · 30/09/2021 12:37

If you are dependent on the state for anything (bar the NHS, which is slightly patronising on occasion but relatively free of offensive presumptions) you are considered of sub human intelligence.

I once had the good fortune to witness how my ex local council spoke to the residents of a town centre tower block. They used a particularly saccharine, passive aggressive, cloying tone like one might use to patronise small children.
And whilst I appreciate that some residents struggle with mental health and learning difficulties, this overall weirdness is disturbing and unnecessary.

TulipsTwoLips · 30/09/2021 12:37

I too would ring her every month to remind her that she needs to ring you the next day. Sometimes people need to be on the receiving end of things to realise how it comes across.

girlmom21 · 30/09/2021 12:38

Contact twice a month isn't really them being on your case all the time. It's up to them to ensure they're paid on time. People probably claim to have forgotten their payment dates all the time.

Original poster
rachybachyboo · 30/09/2021 12:39

@girlmom21 not really.
If you had a mortgage you wouldn't expect to be contacted twice a month reminding you to pay.
I'm well aware the date I get paid and I'm well aware I've told them I will pay on the 29th ...I don't need any further reminders.

OP posts:
ThinWomansBrain · 30/09/2021 12:39

texts/email reminders wouldn't bother me - they're automated
phone calls would irritate me - how much are they spending on monthly calls that would be better spent chasing those in arrears?

Ishouldbeworkinginstead · 30/09/2021 12:41

@rachybachyboo

It's only since I've been receiving Universal Credit. It's like they think everyone claiming this must be going to piss it up the wall and not pay the rent.
Believe it or not, a lot of people do.

My former CM is owed thousands in unpaid childcare arrears where UC has been paid to the parents but not paid to her.

Gimlisaxe · 30/09/2021 12:42

@rachybachyboo

Did you use to pay weekly, or have you always paid monthly?

If you always use to pay monthly, then I would ask them, the next time they ring you what the problem is and whether it would be easier if you get your rent portion of UC paid directly to them

Peanutsandchilli · 30/09/2021 12:48

I agree it might be less hassle for you to have the rent paid directly from UC to the council, but if you don't want to do that then I'd politely tell them that you've never been in arrears and feel that their phone calls are unnecessary.

I don't know how they've got enough staff to phone you, tbh.

girlmom21 · 30/09/2021 12:49

[quote rachybachyboo]@girlmom21 not really.
If you had a mortgage you wouldn't expect to be contacted twice a month reminding you to pay.
I'm well aware the date I get paid and I'm well aware I've told them I will pay on the 29th ...I don't need any further reminders.
[/quote]
But I wouldn't be bothered if I did get the reminders either.
It's a non-issue.

Original poster
rachybachyboo · 30/09/2021 12:49

It's the housing officer who rings /texts.
Each area has a separate housing officer.
She's a bit of a nightmare tbh
If a bottle blows in the garden she's pushing a card through asking to tidy it up.

OP posts:
Chickmad · 30/09/2021 12:50

You might like to put in an email that with the utmost respect you would like to remind them that as a tenant you have the right of "quiet enjoyment " of your tenancy.
These phone calls are unnecessary and undue interference.
As you have a good payment record and no arrears you ask that they cease the calls immediately.
Google the common law right of quiet enjoyment if in doubt.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 30/09/2021 12:53

It'll just be some project they are trying, the see whether customer contact increases payment compliance. Don't worry about it, just crack on as normal.

ThreeFeetTall · 30/09/2021 13:03

What is the balance of your account at the end of the week when you pay? Is it £0 or in credit or in arrears?

Are you using a method that takes a few days to reach them? Obviously that's fine but if their system thinks you are paying on 29th it might flag up you haven't paid if the money gets to them on 30th- in which case just say you will pay on 30th.

Etonmessisyum · 30/09/2021 13:04

I’ve never had a reminder to pay except early on as I am paid monthly rather than 4 weekly so paid when I was paid and they complained but housing officer sorted it - it’s marked that this is the case and I’ve not had an issue since. I think it would be different if you didn’t pay or were late to pay but you’re not. HO must do this with everyone. Surprised she has time as I know mine are very very busy.

Theunamedcat · 30/09/2021 13:05

They prefer people on benefits to be a month ahead im actually two months ahead and there are unhappy about this I said I cannot keep the money universal credit is giving me for the rent as its for the rent you must accept it we argue about it every few months its simply ridiculous

Polly2345 · 30/09/2021 13:09

Can you see who's ringing before you pick up? Could you just not answer the phone and let them leave a message.

LetHimHaveIt · 30/09/2021 13:16

I'm not all that surprised. One of the huge criticisms of UC is that receipt of a monthly payment is really hard for those who find it impossible to budget. By sending these 'reminders' they'll be demonstrating that they're really invested in assisting these people. Still - I suppose it's better than nothing.