House Getting Demolished Soon..Now HA Say I Won't Get Disturbance Money!

LouLou

I wonder if anyone could give me some advice?

The building I'm in is scheduled for demolition in about 8 months now, I've known for the last few months. I'm with a Housing Association, I live in Glasgow.

All along we'd been told we'd get disturbance money to pay for removal, and setting up home in the new place.

The Association gives you three choices of alternative housing, I viewed my first choice yesterday.

Now out of the blue the Housing Officer is saying we're NOT getting disturbance money. They can't get funding because the houses are not "officially" up for demolition yet. The only way I would be eligible for it would be if I was here right 'til the last minute.

But, she said, if I did that (wait until the last minute), my points would drop dramatically. Which seems very unfair.

Seeing as I only found out yesterday, I had to refuse the flat I viewed. I can't move into a place within 2 weeks with hardly any cash put by!!

Can I refuse offers of flats until nearer the demolition? Is she correct in saying that my points will decrease if I wait until the end?

Sorry for sounding mercenary, but I live on my own and could do with the extra cash to set up home in the new place. I'd like to know what my options are, and if what she's telling me is correct.

Thanks.

LouLou

I phoned the Housing Officer to reject the offer of the flat. Strangely she said, "Oh it's alright, your points won't decrease seeing as you've said no to this offer."

That isn't what she said yesterday! She only said I'd lose points if I waited 'til around the demolition date.

I get the feeling they're trying to frighten me into moving! To save the Housing Association money perhaps? :rolleyes:

Jnelhams

Scottish Law is different to the rest of England & Wales as you will already know.
What I can say is that 'Points' are normally worked out on such things as Age of Children, Number of People/Bedrooms needed, Disability, Age and in some areas Sex/Sexual Orientation/Race.

It is unlikely that your points would change, what would change is the amount the H.A. is prepared to pay you to move. You are in a position of power to some extent because they want you to move, but beware in England they could force you out!

You really should get hold of your local Citizen's Advice /Advocate's office and SHELTER - this Charity helps homeless people but also people in your situation too.

Good Luck, and don't feel pressured into a home that is not right for you. Don't forget to check out what ammenities are near to any house offered, that you might need. A good way to check that is on the website https://www.upmystreet.com

Murtle

in England, we can also have points per year of waiting. If you refuse the offers made by the council, you can loose all the points you have accrued over the years. However, as you are already in a house they should have to move you and you should be classed as a decant tenant - they should treat you extra nice!!! Have a look or ask the question on

http://www.homelessnessact.org.uk/

it's free to register, and people on the forums there also work in Housing and may be able to provide further advice

x x x

Savvy_Sue

Do you have anything in writing about the disturbance money? You're right it does seem very unfair. I'd make a formal complaint: you are helping them if you move out sooner rather than later, I'd have thought. Although that would then leave them with an empty property they won't be able to fill before demolition, but that's not your problem. Also if there's a tenants' group for the HA, or even for your bit of it.

chugalug

I would suggest you contact your local Shelter, Housing Aid Centre or Law Centre just so you know what your rights are. you can't be messed around at a time like this. Insist in everything in writing from your HA because as you've already found out, they will say whatever suits them at the time and if they then backtrack you've no comeback. At least if you get proper advice you know where you stand. IMO you wont get full advice on your legal rights from your HA as they have an interest in keeping you in the dark. HTH and good luck. Moving home is stressful at the best of times!

LouLou

Thanks everyone, you've been very helpful. I'll look through the links. I've sent Shelter an email, and made an appointment at the local Welfare Rights office.

Unfortunately, I don't have anything in writing about the disturbance money, it was only verbal.

I got the impression from the Housing Officer that my 2nd and 3rd offers of alternative housing are coming up pretty fast!

I'll let you know what the outcome is. Thanks again for all your responses.

LouLou

I contacted Shelter last week..thanks for pointing me in their direction, chugalug, they've been great.

Apparently I *am* legally entitled to disturbance money, though the HA will probably try to make out it's a normal "transfer". I have to prove they won't be letting out the flat when I leave, and I'm moving because I have to.

They're going to act on my behalf when I next get an offer of housing. So, fingers crossed.

Thanks again, everyone x

Savvy_Sue

LouLou wrote:

I contacted Shelter last week..thanks for pointing me in their direction, chugalug, they've been great.

Apparently I *am* legally entitled to disturbance money, though the HA will probably try to make out it's a normal "transfer". I have to prove they won't be letting out the flat when I leave, and I'm moving because I have to.

They're going to act on my behalf when I next get an offer of housing. So, fingers crossed.

Thanks again, everyone x

That's great, glad you were able to get some help with this. Make sure your neighbours know!

LouLou

Back again.. Hoping someone can give advice. The woman who's looking into my case at Shelter isn't back til Monday

I viewed a flat on Friday afternoon. I'm taking it..however the Housing Officer is saying she wants me in by Tuesday, and my tenancy begins on that day!

If I don't (I'm on Housing Benefit), I'm liable for full rent at this address, and the Housing Benefit gets paid for the new place. Surely they could hold off giving me the keys and the tenancy a week or so!?

As if I'm not stressed out enough moving on a shoestring without the promised decant money!!!!!! And they want me to strip the carpets, everything out of here.

I was explicitly told that there WON'T be any other tenants moving in here, and I'm moving because of "House Clearances" as she quoted on her forms. Yet I'm still not eligible for decant money for some reason. Grrrr!

Savvy_Sue

If your rent is being paid by Housing Benefit, I thought there was a system whereby you could have your rent paid for two weeks on two properties to enable you to move in a sensible and timely fashion? Mind you it is more than 3 years since I was in this field so things may have changed. And you're in Scotland where things may be different anyway. But check that with Shelter on Monday.