Housing Assoc threatening tenency

Squarepeg72

Hi all, my very elderly grandmother came to stay with me in late March due to covid.  She has some memory issues and couldn't remember to stay indoors so I brought her to mine which I spoke to her housing worker about at the time.  I have taken her home a few times and stayed over with her but she would always forget to stay in so whilst covid is around in a tier 3 area she is remaining with me.
Today she has received quite a threatening letter from the housing association saying they have received reports of an abandoned property and they will take measures to serve notice if she doesn't contact them immediately.

My grandmother is not wishing at this stage to relinquish her tenancy, I have asked her numerous times to consider.  She lacks awareness of risks, capacity is dicey, short term memory very poor.

Can they serve notice on her as we do return periodically when I have leave from work but as they are a tier 3 area i hadnt planned on it for a while 

elsien

They’re asking her to get in touch to show that the property hasn’t been abandoned. Which if she’s had no contact with them since March and they’ve been made aware the property has been empty for the best part of 8 months isn’t so surprising. 

She needs to make contact with them, as a starting point. Because it is a long time to be living elsewhere. I take it the rent is up to date? 

Where in the UK is the property? 

xylophone

She has some memory issues and couldn't remember to stay indoors 
She lacks awareness of risks, capacity is dicey, short term memory very poor.

I think that you will need to contact the HA and explain the situation.

That said, it doesn't seem to be a good idea for your grandmother to be living alone?

elsien

Also to add, social housing is there for people who need it. Your grandmother has been away for 8 months and clearly has no plans to return anytime soon. It’s hard to argue that there is still a need there, particularly as the longer she is away the less likely she is to go back permanently, given the circumstances that you describe. 

MalMonroe

What you say here is worrying, "She lacks awareness of risks, capacity is dicey, short term memory very poor".

Your grandmother clearly needs help. If she returns to the property she will need to have carers calling in around the clock - she could set the place on fire if she's left alone. Seems as if it will be a constant worry for her family if she goes back to living there by herself.

I have to agree with elsien here, it sounds like it's time for your grandmother to relinquish her tenancy. Someone else could make good use of the property that's lying empty for months at a time. 

wolfehouse

There is a procedure housing associations need to follow if they want to get an abandoned property back and this letter is the first phase of that.  Your grandmother needs to contact them and discuss.  She will have signed a legal agreement when she first got the property and that might have more details about how long she can stay out of the property.

AdrianC

You are clearly facing a realisation that you don't like - that your grandmother is no longer capable of living alone safely.

She has not lived alone for eight months. She has had all those basic caring-for-herself responsibilities removed from her. Let's say Covid was over tomorrow - do you think she would cope if she was to go back to that flat?

The HA are only doing what is sensible - they have a list of people who would benefit from that property, but it's sitting empty because you don't want to face what is almost certainly true.

Can I make a book recommendation? https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0091901812 - I found it VERY helpful in understanding when my father was in the position your gran is. Good luck.

Morglin

It might be an idea to discuss,  with the HA, the possibility of her transferring to a sheltered/supported scheme for the elderly.  That can work quite well.

AdrianC

Oh, and if you haven't already, get PoA in place for your Gran, while she still has capacity.

It's cheap, quick, and simple - and it will make dealing with the HA on her behalf much easier, as well as all the other things you'll need it for as her dementia progresses.

https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney

[Deleted User]

Including getting an appt with GP if your grandmother hasn't officially been diagnosed with any mental health challenges yet.

greatcrested

As others have said:

* re the tenancy, contact the HA asap and discuss.

* put POA in place

* deterine for yourselves, and with her, whether she is in fact capable of safely returning and living alone irrespective of COVID. We all have to face these issues with elderly relatives at some point and trying to put off the inevitable does not help

* if she would not be safe living alone, discuss with social services. With the HA/council re sheltered schemes. Consider having her live permenantly with you or someone else. Pay for a live-in carer (if you have the resources). Consider other alternatives. Look at AgeUK website.