To make a complaint to housing…waiting four months

[MaryJanif]

I live with my son and my parents. My son and I are desperate for our own place and are finding it impossible living with my parents. They’re overall quite toxic and we need to leave (won’t go into it on this thread). We also need to leave as I am married and my husband is an international doctor. He cannot move to or start work in the U.K. until we have appropriate accommodation. So for now we’re separated and it’s very upsetting for both of us. On the 22nd June I applied for an ‘intermediate rental property’. The property is run by a local housing association.
Basically a council flat but for working people and you have to have a minimum income of 35k a year for this particular property.

The advert closed a few days later and I was asked to submit documentation which I did.
On July 1st I was unsure as to why I hadn’t been contacted so chased up.
Was approved for the flat the next week but no setting up of me seeing the flat.

I guess at this point something was wrong.
I then got contacted by a lettings assistant saying there had been a delay and the flat might not be reading until end of august. I was shocked. They offered me another property which I accepted. For some reason she then said she needs to check that’s allowed.
I noticed the next day the properties had gone out for advert so I was confused.
I then got a message saying the builders had promised the work would be done no later than first week of September.

I was a bit annoyed as this was a long wait but I felt helpless.
Before the first week of September I was told the work was not done after all and on two weeks it should be completed but that they would be in touch to keep me updated.
Two weeks went and gone so I chased up to be told they were expecting an update from the builder on Monday (this was two weeks ago) and they would be in touch. I’ve heard nothing.
I’ve managed to stay strong for months now but I don’t know what to do.
I’m so stressed and just feel helpless.
I have no idea when the tenancy will be offered to me, what’s going on.

The property should never have been advertised as ready to let in mid July if it wasn’t. It shouldn’t have been advertised at all when it was months from being habitable.
I have a named worker with the housing association but she is an admin assistant so I don’t think she really knows what’s going on either.
I don’t know what to do. AIBU to complain?
I am really anxious if I complain they will somehow take the property off us but surely we can’t be kept in limbo.
As my husband works abroad in a very poor country and I work just three days a week we have really considered the option of private renting but I have a poor credit rating, couldn’t afford it and even when we did apply we’re never chosen as I currently get universal credit to help with rent payments. The private renting options are horrendous in my local area with huge demand I stand no chance.
i honestly hate complaining but feel I have no choice at this point.

Why are people firstly incapable of reading and secondly, being so awful to the OP?

I can't work out if it's the hatred of social housing, ignorance or just good old racism.

Hey everyone. Not answering anymore immigration questions. Rules around immigration and medical certificates etc are complicated and not really relevant as I’m not homeless or at risk of homelessness and it’s not what the thread is regarding. The housing association gave me the flat knowing my full circumstances and felt I was eligible and that’s all that matters. It’s not for people who know nothing about me online to decide if I am or aren’t ‘worthy’ of the flat. But if anyone does think I’m not ‘worthy’ let them think that as I already have the flat and that’s not the issue.

I’ve been offered a housing association property so would be mad to rent privately or move area when I will eventually get to move in. I’m guessing in a maximum of a few months. I’m not considering private renting or moving area.
there’s some building work but the property is mine so no need to declare myself homeless or anything similar.
I’ve been formally offered the property.
the issue is there’s been no communication, I don’t know what’s happening, I’ve no move in date and I don’t know whether to complain or if it’s unreasonable to complain.
since I applied in June and was supposed to move in in July it seems compliant worthy that I’ve not moved in and we’re now in October.
that’s all this thread is about.

thank you for being kind. A bit of all three I reckon. Don’t worry it does not affect me 😊

Complain if you feel the need OP, not sure why you're asking a bunch of strangers on the Internet. I can guess what the outcome will be rightly or wrongly but its your time and mental energy to spend on it.

Why do people comment when they don't know what they are talking about?
Yes we have a shortage of doctors here but doctors from overseas can't just waltz into jobs here - they have to prove competency. From some countries that means that they can use their qualifications from that country (largely if that country is majority white population) and from other countries they need to sit exams (largely if that country is majority brown or black population - that's over simplified but not by much). Also - depending on their qualifications - the vast majority will have to do additional exams to be able to practice as - for example - a GP or a speciality consultant. So whilst he might be able to work as a doctor here in 1-2 years, having passed his exams, it would likely be as a F1 doctor which is not highly paid and he would need to be living close to the hospital as it's shift work. So there might not be large numbers of options for this family. It's not as simple as "just move somewhere cheaper" if there aren't jobs right there for him...

Also I don't think people are being horrible, but there are schemes in place to help overseas doctors come over which would be hugely helpful- seems odd to not mention it.

Ask for a move in date in writing?
you are lucky to be offered anything so soon tbh I’ve been in temporary accommodation for 4.5 years still waiting. It’s hard but I’m sure the work will be done soon, keep on to them ask what the hold up is. Hope it all works out when your husband comes over.

Thank you. I thought this was obvious but obviously not 😂

Also those F1 jobs will be where there are shortages - usually more rural hospitals. Rental prices can be very high in those areas because there are fewer properties.

Is it a trick question? If you want to complain then go ahead- no one knows what they'll say!

I suggested declaring yourself homeless because then you'd be a higher priority and they'd have to give you accommodation that's actually available.

Thank you for commenting what I didn’t have the mental energy to say 😊
this is correct. He’s a doctor but years off a doctors salary in the U.K.

He’s not eligible for them as he hasn’t passed his competency exams in the U.K.

I’ve been formally offered the property.
the issue is there’s been no communication, I don’t know what’s happening, I’ve no move in date and I don’t know whether to complain or if it’s unreasonable to complain

Relative was offered a council house, it needed completely gutting. For some reason this took 11 months. It was actually 13 months between being offered the house and getting the keys!

Yes but even when he is - unless he performs outstandingly - unfortunately he is likely to be offered jobs that are in less popular areas which can mean that property options are harder. It is no picnic coming here as an IMG doctor but I wish him (and you) all the very best of luck.

I’m not sure that complaining will help you, tbh. I’d keep checking in and hope to goodness the flat is available soon.

As for the international doctors questions, I get it, OP. My friend’s American husband, who’s considered an international authority in his field, is the keynote speaker at conferences worldwide, etc. He still can’t practice in the UK without taking additional exams. He’s been offered research positions, but he can’t practice and he doesn’t want to give that up.

As he’s already in his 50’s, they’ve decided to move after he retires (she’s British).

I think instead of complaining you could ask for regular updates. If they don’t give them then call every other day or once a week. Keep a record of all communication with them.

Fingers crossed that you get your house soon and can reunited with your husband.

Is it 'mid market rent'? Ie social housing but for those on a bit more than what benefits/minimum wage would pay?

I agree that cheap housing should be for all, not just those on very low wages. However I don't think the original intention for mid market rents was for doctors coming into the UK and wanting one of these properties. They are more for Brits on low wages who would benefit from rents which are a bit lower than private rates.

Builders are having huge issues buying the materials they need. I would visit the site and find out what the builders hold ups are if I was you.

I’ve been formally offered the property.
the issue is there’s been no communication, I don’t know what’s happening, I’ve no move in date and I don’t know whether to complain or if it’s unreasonable to complain.
since I applied in June and was supposed to move in in July it seems compliant worthy that I’ve not moved in and we’re now in October.
that’s all this thread is about.

It’s social housing so the timescales aren’t like if you’ve agreed a private rental.

The flat is yours. You have been approved. That’s brilliant.

I wouldn’t complain. I’d ask for updates regularly, to understand the timescales. But complaining won’t speed them up at all, so in that sense it’s pointless. Asking for better communication or regularly chasing them for an update and resigning yourself to the current status quo is the best you can do.

HA properties are considered "public finds" just an fyi so if he has "no recourse to public funds" on his future visa, he can't be on anything....

I did

<a2dominion.co.uk/en/about-us/Intermediate-rent>

But from what you have said here, you don't appear to qualify for it. Your husband is un qualified to work in UK so doesn't have a job here.

Why are you staying in the most expensive housing area in UK, London and SE?
There are plenty of medical schools in far cheaper areas

The same is true the other way also, in fact though changes afoot in the UK means a UK obtained medical degree won't be eligible for practicing abroad even with additional exams etc which is ridiculous if it does indeed pass.

I think people are getting hung up on the fact its through housing association, I think this is the same scheme.i was on 6 years ago, as op says it's got a minimum income requirement so not taking away from anyone on minimum wage etc. Its aimed at those stuck.in the middle.strugglimg to save enough for a mortgage, rents are set at about 80% of market rate to give you the chance to save. Its similar to the support offered to first time buyers where they top up deposits etc. Once you are let the property your income can go up straight away its irrelevant you only need to be eligible at the point that you sign the contract

I’m in the north. Never said I was down south or London.