LA being paid but need to move on medical grounds

kazz3105_2

On behalf of my sister in law (told her how great this site was) She is currently in social landlord housing. She needs to move on medical and welfare grounds, she bids every week and sits and hopes that she gets lucky.
Her problem is she has current rent arrears although she is paying £103 per fortnight to cover her arrears and pay current rent. She has paid this for some time, she had a visit from the 'medical department' who knew she has current rent arrears but was told that because of medical condition it wouldn't affect her. On chasing up bids she got to speak to the Medical department's supervisor and by pure luck she informed her that she would not be able to move, because of rent arrears. She told the supervisor what her officer said about moving with rent arrears. She told her that there would be no way she would be able to move while she had arrears.
When she sat and worked it out it would take 18 months before she can move, by then she will be in a much worse condition medically and more importantly mentally.
She was told that a letter from her GP would not make a difference because it is the 'medical department' who decides on whether there is a medical condition.
Is there any way she can sort this out sooner?.

mrsmchapman

Well it seems the only thing stopping the move is the arrears, with that in mind, it needs to be paid promptly. I understand this isnt always possible but if this is the only reason stopping the move then she needs to try and think of someway to raise the funds, again hard i know, but its the only answer. Could any family or friends borrow the money which she could pay back, bank loan maybe, i'm not usually one to opt for loans etc but it seems one of her only options in this situation.

cattie

I have a friend who found herself in a similar situation last year & there is definitely no way she will be considered for any kind of move, including an exchange until her arrears are cleared.

Obviously the housing officer gave your SIL incorrect information & think she either has to try to borrow the money to clear the arrears or defer her bidding on new properties until she has managed to clear the arrears in the way she is doing now.

It might not be what she wants to hear, but better she knows where she stands rather than living on false hopes.

ILW

How much are the arrears?
Why is the current accomadation making her condition worse?

kazz3105_2

ILW wrote: »

How much are the arrears?
Why is the current accomadation making her condition worse?

Her rent arrears are around £460 give or take.
The current property to in the wrong area (she cannot get out) and it also has stairs that she cannot manage she has to go up and down them on her bum and cold concrete and bums don't mix.

jackomdj

If that is what is stopping her does anyone in the family have under £500 that would substantially improve her life? Or a group of family members?

This could be a loan paid over the same time period as she is currently paying.

kazz3105_2

jackomdj wrote: »

If that is what is stopping her does anyone in the family have under £500 that would substantially improve her life? Or a group of family members?

This could be a loan paid over the same time period as she is currently paying.

She has already tried all family and friends, they are all in a similar boat financially. She could apply to shopacheck or provvy but she doesn't want to start getting into that financial mess.

jackomdj

I know people often post a statement of affairs on here. If she was willing to do this, or let you do it, people may be able to make suggestions where she could make savings which wold enable her to pay her debt off quicker.

ILW

kazz3105 wrote: »

She has already tried all family and friends, they are all in a similar boat financially. She could apply to shopacheck or provvy but she doesn't want to start getting into that financial mess.

Jeez, is there really nobody that can come up with £500.00 or possible 10 people with £50.00?

Racml34

As a housing officer usually we would not consider a move if a resident had rent arrears no matter what the circumstances. However if a payment plan has been made and adhered to for a reasonable amount of time then some social landlords will consider it. Is it just her own landlord in that area or are there several? If she is bidding it sounds like there a choice based lettings system. This usually has several social landlords signed up so you could see what others there are and contact them to see what their policy is.

What priority has she been given for her medical issues? Have they been assessed and a higher banding / points been given accordingly? If it's a severe condition she could try the medical welfare panel. Rent arrears have nothing to do with priority. If he's high up and comes up for a property then it can be discussed at the home visit stage.

If she needs additional support she could request a referral for housing related support which is free and designed to guide her through these kinds of issues.

A mutual exchange would be out of the question though. It's one of the few grounds for refusing one I'm afraid

kazz3105_2

She has been assessed for her medical grounds, but like I said they will not allow a letter from her GP (obviously someone in an office makes the decision without medical know how) leaving her at band 4 (the lowest)
She has been paying £103 per fortnight and has been paying it for well over a year but there is only a few quid coming off the arrears because she has to pay part rent she worked it out yesterday she is paying £75 off the arrears every 3 months.
We have gone through her finances but any bit of spare money she has she uses for prescriptions & transport to Dr and hospital appointments (although I have told her to get a 12 month pre pay its only about a tenner a month but that's all she will pay).
Ok yeah she owes money but her health is getting worse and this is not helping.
We are toying with the idea that she should write a letter to them, they told her they where putting her in the vulnerable person team but someone in medical department called it back said she was not a vulnerable person!!