Help References needed by Housing Association

ItalianDreaming

Hi Guys I am looking for a little help.

My local council have nominated me to a Housing Association for a property and the HA have made a provisional offer of a tenancy which is great, all they ask is that I fill in the application form and send it to them and provide them with id which has all been done with no problems.

However, this is where it gets complicated... I have to provide them with two references, one is a current or former Landlord reference, which I cannot provide as I have always lived with my parents. The 2nd reference has to be a former or current employer or person from a statutory agency who have known me for 2 years or more.

As none of those apply to me for one reason or another I obviously cant supply them. The HA have been less than helpful with suggestions and I am no further forward.

Has anyone got any good advice for me about how to move forward with these references.

Thanks

poppysarah

Get your parents to write a letter...
Or at least ask what the procedure is.

You've never had a job? Ask a doctor?

ItalianDreaming

Thanks for the advice. As for your question, I did have a job I worked for the same employer for a long time, however I left there after an incident at work which resulted in me successfully suing them for negligence. The chances of getting a character reference from them are slim to none I would have thought.

As for a doctor he doesnt know me well enough to give a character reference. My parents are excluded as they are family and that is a no no according to the form. As you can see I am a little stuck

Doozergirl

I missed out on a job once because someone failed to get a reference in on time - I know the reference they supplied would have been glowing but because they missed the deadline, it reflected on me. When I spoke about this I was a bit shocked at how many people I know that have had reference requests sent to friends, helped others write their own references and even penned references themselves under those names!

Employers aren't even allowed to give you a bad reference so what's the point?

m_13

ItalianDreaming wrote: »

Thanks for the advice. As for your question, I did have a job I worked for the same employer for a long time, however I left there after an incident at work which resulted in me successfully suing them for negligence. The chances of getting a character reference from them are slim to none I would have thought.

As for a doctor he doesnt know me well enough to give a character reference. My parents are excluded as they are family and that is a no no according to the form. As you can see I am a little stuck

You need to be creative here. It may be that your previous company would feel they had no choice but to give you a reference, as Doozergirl says, they cannot give you a bad reference only a factual one. Are you still in touch with somebody there who would act as a referee? Somebody who used to work there but has left and could you give you a reference as a previous boss?

Have you attended any courses, college or uni and could ask a tutor for a reference? Educational establishments are statutory agencies. It could even be an old teacher who knew you for 2 years or more.

Do your parents rent? Would their landlord give a reference stating that you've caused no problems?

I'd provide them with one referee and say you are working on the other.

whitewing

Do you have a family friend who is in a responsible position? If so, you could get them to write a reference maybe on behalf of your parents, maybe look at your bank statements and comment on the fact that you have paid your lodgings regularly etc. (Must be truthful). They can state how long they have known the family and you etc. So, a completely honest reference that would cover the points that the HA are likely to want to know about.

besonders1

Doozergirl wrote: »

I missed out on a job once because someone failed to get a reference in on time - I know the reference they supplied would have been glowing but because they missed the deadline, it reflected on me.

Me too - very annoying as most employers just can't find the time to write one. I know friend who have been sneaky and got jobs using friends / family members as referees!

poppysarah

I would write the HA a letter stating you have lived with your parents all your life and you are prepared for them to be interviewed and visited if that helps provide a reference.

Think church/school/scounts/neighbour who is a teacher/bank manager/etc/
Or any community groups you attend.

ALIBOBSY

When I was younger I used a neighbour who I knew since I was little who was a head teacher. He put in the length of time he knew me and that he felt I was honest and trustworthy etc. Think neighbours/family friends who work in civil service/NHS/local gov/teachers etc.

good luck
ali x

poppysarah

And if you can't find a personal reference for this - you need to address this as an issue so that the next time you get offered somewhere you can.

Def ask your neighbours if they'd write you a reference though saying you've been a good neighbour - I do not believe they'd discount you just because you've never rented anywhere on your own though. That would be insane if you couldn't get housing until you've got housing.

ItalianDreaming

Thanks guys for your advice/input. I spoke to the Housing Officer at the HA today and he said that my Mother could write a letter to say I had lived with her, so that is one problem sorted.

the problem I am left with is the character reference the Housing Officers only advice there was do you know a solicitor who has known you for 2 years or more? No I don't, his other one was well what about a doctor. How many doctors do people know that would supply a character reference? I have never heard of it before.

If anybody else has any thoughts I would be grateful to hear them.