Here we can all be heard for a little while. Part 3

Georgiegirl256

Sorry to hear about the situation with ER elsien. Sounds like a tricky one.

Penguin to Calley , that you were also wanting advice on how to lose that too. I think you got the sort of answers that would be expected for that kind of OP IMO. The only one I thought was abit harsh was the one off Gloomy.

Usually (but not always), taking up exercise usually goes hand in hand with wanting to lose weight, and by losing weight, it would probably help your back. Not meaning to state the obvious of course, because you'll know that obviously, so sorry about that.

Regarding what kind of exercises to do, I firmly believe that it's got to be something you enjoy. The best exercise for ease on your joints is swimming, so maybe that might be a good place to start?

Pyxis, hope you're ok?

Georgiegirl256

Sorry to hear things are getting worse faerie. Sorry, all of that is way beyond my understanding of MH and housing association knowledge, hopefully someone will be along soon who'll be able to advise.

onomatopoeia99

Elsien, I don't really have any advice and I suspect you know more about this than I do, but when a friend had to get some legal things sorted out for his father, who had had a stroke a few years previously and was at the time almost at the point of needing residential care, the solicitor insisted on talking to the father alone to ensure that everything was in accord with his wishes without familial pressure being applied. This actually presented a few problems as though he didn't have dementia he did have memory problems so would forget what he wanted mid conversation. Apparently the meeting with the solicitor was a long one! Anyway I would hope that the solicitor would make every effort to ascertain the true wishes of your relative.

I read a lot of stuff about lasting power of attorney and the court of protection a few years ago as well (just working it out it must be 7 or 8 years, which is scary, it doesn't seem that long), as my mother was having trouble understanding it and needed to get something arranged for my grandmother, who had Alzheimers and even though my uncle had sold his house and bought the flat next door to keep an eye on her could no longer be looked after in her own home. I don't remember it well but the import I took away from it was again that every effort should be made to ascertain the wishes of the person involved when they are at their most capable and meetings etc should be scheduled to ensure this as much as possible (gran was well beyong being capable of making decisions for herself at any time at this point). Mum also felt rather overwhelmed when required to attend case meetings or whatever they were called and having to face a whole phlanax of public sector workers from different departments around , they really seem to believe in going in mob-handed to overwhelm ordinary members of the public not used to dealing with the serried ranks of them.

Wellyboots6 wrote: »

I caught a ghastly on my desk at work today!

So did I, just as I was drinking my first cuppa at 7.30am :eek: Maybe there's been a ghastly infestation today :rotfl:

elsien

Faerie, I know little about housing, but asking for that amount of money on the same day with no explanation does not sound in any way reasonable to me.
My first thought would be to not contact them by phone because anything that is said is then deniable. I'd be sending them a "prove it" letter or email asking them to clarify in writing exactly what they are asking for and why. With proof eg payment dates, tenancy etc. And don't do anything till you can get the sums checked.
Eta - you need to clarify about the 14th June payment and what period they think it covers. It looks to me as if you think you are paying in advance but they think you are paying in arrears. Does your contract say anything about this? If they have the old agency records they need to go back to see if you/your mum paid the months rent at the same time as the deposit.
These are just my thoughts though which may be wrong - try Shelter again in the morning for proper advice.
Contents insurance is none of their business unless it's in the contract. Are they by any chance looking to get commission by selling it to you themselves?
Try not to panic, although I realise this is very stressful for you. The housing board is usually helpful so I think you will get replies but maybe not until tomorrow morning. Bump the post again first thing if it's dropped down a bit.
Don't forget if you need to talk to get things out of your head, the Samaritans are always there to lend a listening ear.

faerielight

thanks Eilsen and georgie girl.. that's what shocked me the most was getting the email today this eve when they could have contacted me during opening hours, and I have had a lot of emails off my new agency.. and this is the 1st time in the month I've been with them that they are mentioning double rent.. this isnt a rent increase so I've no idea whats going on .
I think you are right.. there is a mix up between rent in arrears and advance and I dont know the answer as I cant contact my evil mother to ask her how much she paid initially. I think it was £1200 but I might be wrong. I will call my housing worker tomorrow and I agree, emailing is the better option

This agency is so in my buisiness.. this is the email i got re the insurance.. it's rediculous to try and force me to buy it.. I've already been here 5 years".. "Welcome to *****!
You are receiving this email as you are about to become a Leaders tenant. However, there is some important information to note as you proceed with your tenancy.
As our staff have explained, your Landlord will grant the Tenancy of the Property upon the condition that the Tenant holds insurance adequate to protect against any accidental damage caused by the Tenant to the Property and its contents, furniture, fixtures and fittings not belonging to the Tenant as well as any liability that the Tenant may incur as the occupier of the Property. You are required at the commencement of the Tenancy to provide to the Landlord's Agent written proof of such cover.
Should you wish, Leaders would be happy to arrange this for you on your behalf. Leaders are able to offer specialist insurance cover designed exclusively for our Tenants (which includes the third party cover mentioned above) through our insurance partners, Hepburns Insurance Services Ltd.
We have made this process as simple as possible for you, without the need to complete a lengthy proposal form. Simply click on the Quote link below, which will take you to the Hepburns Insurance website and automatically populate a proposal form with your tenancy details, leaving you to select only the level of cover you require to receive an instant quote.
Should you prefer to take out your own insurance policy, you must provide our office with a copy of your insurance certificate before commencement of your Tenancy. All policies must cover landlords fixtures and fittings against accidental damage by the tenant "

it's so unfair to make me jump through all their hoops and I still dont get a fixed term contract to give me security!

elsien

The other possibility I suppose is that they've not had the 14th June payment passed on and think you haven't paid it? Which is why they need to demonstrate where they think the extra payment is owed from instead of just telling you with insufficient information for you to dispute it.

I would also put the insurance email up on the housing board as a separate question to see whether they can tell you if it's enforceable or not especially as you're already on a rolling contract and it's not a new tenancy.

faerielight

thanks eilsen.. I'm 45 and have rented all my life, and I have never been forced to get contents insurance!! I will ask about that on the housing forum.. thanks so much for your replies it's horrific being billed double and have to pay that today..and not be able to reply today.. I've never had this happen before. I thinb it's totally irresponsible to have sent it after closing time. The panic and confusion is really unnecessarily stressing me out. I think they are cruel to do that, especially as the email doesnt explain it clearly.
they are an awful agency they are very strict and they dont take benefits at all which worries me too

Waves_and_Smiles

Deep breath Faerie. Can you call the doctors first thing about your medication? That is the most important thing to deal with right now because if your health is affected it is much harder to deal with other things. After that call Shelter. I am quite open with people that deal with my housing that I have mental health problems and state that I need things to be explained very clearly and slowly so you could perhaps try that. I would also ask at your BPD centre if someone can help advocate for you. Hang in there.

LIR! It is wonderful to hear from you! I do miss you and if you pass this way again please say hello. I truly hope everything is going well for you and FIR.

As for me I struggled out of bed at 10pm for some food and I have just tried getting up again now while it is slightly cooler. We are expecting 33F by midday so I will be fit for nothing. I have a very sore heat rash under both arms and a racing heart and breathlessness just going to the bedroom and back. I am trying to drink as much salted and sugared water as I can to counteract this but I really need it to cool down. I do hope those that love this weather are enjoying it though. Please sunbathe for me!

seven-day-weekend

onomatopoeia99 wrote: »

Ate my supper on my garden bench, which is not comfortable, rusty and in dire need of replacement, but it is out in the sun since today is the summer I was determined to make the most of it :rotfl:. Am expecting thunderstorms by this time tomorrow!

On the weather earlier they said 34-35C in the midlands during the day tomorrow, so those of you in that part of the world be aware!

It was that hot. Stayed in my bedroom as that was the coolest place.

Wellyboots6

Faerie, DO NOT PANIC!
We are with the same agency. The email you received is trying to sell you their contents insurance. It is true that for their contracts you do need contents insurance, but you don't need to use the company that they talk about in their email.
Contact them by email as Elsien said, and tell them if they ring you that you will only communicate with them by email/letter.
Tell them you are sourcing your own contents insurance and then shop around. Contact shelter and ask if they have a list of recommended insurers. You can often get it quite cheap.
Be prepared for the agency to keep emailing you telling you to sign up for their insurance (Hepburn's) and also you are likely to get emails telling you to sign up for their utilities agency too. IGNORE them! As long as you are paying your bills you do not have to use the companies they 'suggest'.
On our contract we had to pay depositt plus first month's rent. That was a new contract with them though, so not sure how it works if they take over an old contract.
Also, check with Shelter or CAB what happens with then taking over an old contract, do the old conditions apply, in which case they may not be able to force you to get contents insurance anyway.
A lot of their emails are automatically sent, so try to filter out the ones you actually need to pay attention to and ignore those that are trying to sell you their products.