Would you offer this family a tenancy ?

tbs624

mumof2girls wrote: »

If she is suffering threats from an ex, that is seen as domestic violence and she would be offered temp accom no questions asked, so I think her story may be questionnable.

Unfortunately, there are still huge gaps between the theory and the practice: some victims of domestic violence do not report it, they may be unaware of any help that may be available to them and often, even if they are clued up, they will find that not only are some housing officers are less than helpful ( I think one report used used the terms "intrusive" and "lacking in empathy") but there is a shortage of appropriate temporary accommodation so some authorities will aim for a far stricter interpretation of the law.

Pssst

Presumably she will be telling the council she is moving ,so surrendering her tenancy,or will it pass to her partner?

I'm not sure about this one.

How could she get in arrears as its paid direct via HB isnt it?

Or did she divert some of that money instead of paying the rent?

clutton_2

i have looked in greater detail at rent statement for the past 4 years, and there are 2 items of repairs, and a £150 court fee on there. i need to discuss these with her.

i called her this afternoon and she was picking up the little boy from school and asked if i could call back. When i called back - phone switched off

i have sent her a text asking her to call this evening..... we will see

when folks dont return calls........ it is VERY rarely for medical emergency reasons.......

more later

Geenie

What a terrible dilemma! I feel for this young mother trying to escape and make a better life for her children. But the ex cannot be excluded when coming to a final decision, as he is part of what you are taking on, as I have little doubt he will find out sooner or later where she is living and will turn up one day. All he has to do is follow a relative or watch where the kids are going after school. This side concerns me more then the rent.

Blacksheep1979

She can't really afford the rent and is willing to not pay it (as has been demonstrated before) there is also the risk of an ex partner turning up and either damaging the property or causing her to do a runner. Not worth the grief in my opinion - you're running a business not a charity.

bristol_pilot

I would say NO.

The type who has had one violent partner will find another, then another. I don't know what it is but some of them are attracted to a certain type and get beaten up again and again. Do you want that in your property? Add to that some doubt about rent arrears, to me it's a no-brainer.

clutton_2

i have once taken on board an abused single parent mum with 4 kids and that is working out fine - but only because she is sooooooo motivated and is going to Assertiveness classes to learn how to stop being manipulated by all and sundry.

She had been so "controlled" for so long that she had no bank account and did not know how to get one. But she made herself go to a bank to open an account and was successful. When i asked her to get the teller to put my name on the money (for the rent) she asked me in all seriousness "should i write my name on all the notes ?"

i have huge respect for this lass - some folks can turn their lives around in spite of awful experiences - some cant.

As a LL i have to try to judge who can and who can't.

This one is a particularly difficult judgement call.

But if she does not call me back - she has in effect made the decision for me.

Geenie

I think you are being very fair Clutton in your approach, and have more balls then me! I would run a mile with the ex, but you are prepared to overlook this if she comes good with the rest. I applaud you.:T As you say, it is up to her now. You have done more then enough to give her a chance. Keep us posted on how it turns out.

silvercar

clutton wrote: »

i have looked in greater detail at rent statement for the past 4 years, and there are 2 items of repairs, and a £150 court fee on there. i need to discuss these with her.

2 repairs and a court fee, suggests damage to the property and that she has been taken to court, probably an eviction attempt.

Don't know how many red lights you need before you say no, but the lights are burning brightly.

sooz

I'd say no.

The fact that she says wants your property, & doesn't call you back is enough for me.
I know it's noisy & hard to talk when you pick up from school. But after 5 minutes, and 100 yards away from school, if she really wanted to, she could have called you.

But then I also say no to anyone who can't arrive on time to view, or atleast call to say they are running late.

Add the arrears to that, & it's a certain no.