@bowlingbun Exactly this. I have just been discussing it with my sister. It seems like there is a massive nuance in communication which has caused this.
I’m a very direct person and even then I don’t think the caseworker discussed what was happening very well.
Like I say I have OCD and things have to be crystal clear otherwise it can lead to spiraling what ifs which cause distress.
Mum also has a care plan which states that she needs things explaining in more depth than the average person, she also needs to understand what is asked of her.
So what we do know is someone from the letting agency did say that the house is in disrepair. We don’t know how it was said- there’s no paper trail. Everyone is confused. We only know it was said because the case worker said their name.
Regardless they investigated.
The case worker needed more documents and he was trying to get them from the first person he spoke to let’s call them person 1.
Person 1 went off sick. The caseworker couldn’t contact them to get the required documents.
The docs were sent by person 2 who said there is no evidence of this being said and the section 21 is due to the sale of the house Etc. no rent arrears nothing against the tenant.
The case worker would not accept this on its own.
The case worker then decided he would come round to the house to conduct an investigation.
There are two ways you can look at this. One is what happened and the other is what should have happened.
What happened.!!
The case worker was dragging their heels contacting someone else.
They received the docs including 1.5 month old inspection reports but this was not enough.
Case worker said he wants to inspect the damage and gave us a date and time. What damage!!!??? The letting agent said there is none.
We then got scared like we were under investigation. We were of the belief he would come round to the house and pick faults and then say mum made herself homeless. Paramount reason to panic.
I submitted a complaint stating we were made to feel like criminals who had damaged a property despite no evidence and the backing of the landlord. We felt not listened to. The caseworker just kept saying he would come and inspect based on what was said.
I got the call from a higher up person after I submitted the complaint. (I later had to cancel this complaint) she told me off. And told me their intentions,
So this is what should have happened! They blamed me for misinterpretation. I hate to sound arrogant, I’m a fully qualified and experienced journo- I know what I heard.
Even though person 1 got it wrong they still had to carry out the investigation as part of their duty to prevent homelessness. Apparently it is common for landlords to cite this reason without it being true. An investigation is meant to clarify if there is or isn’t any damage, and or if it’s reasonable wear and tear or straight neglect. Fair enough, that’s very reasonable.
Part of their primary help was supposed to be to carry out this investigation and then go back to the letting agents to report findings. Regardless of reasoning because it was said they had to investigate.
I understand this reasoning.
Instead I have reacted badly based on what was said. The case worker did not provide a reasoning why this was happening and it felt like we were being accused of something.
We were afraid he would come to the house and tear the place to shreds no pun intended. In turn it would jeapordise her housing and get her thrown of the list.
Had he said it was procedure I would have understood. It’s wrong and the letting agents will be told off, but nonetheless I would have understood. We wouldn’t be in the mess.
But the arrogant DH did it wrong. Now I feel like I can’t complain.
But yeah they did tell me off.
And you are right about the offers. Mum was also offered a bungalow, but the allocations team they found evidence of rats in it. They said they didn’t know how long it would take to sort it out.
(It’s currently near a major and I mean major roadworks scheme. Most ambitious in the country apparently)
Knowing my council it will take six elections, 24 pay rises, and 62 consultations before they even make a phone call.
Mums just back in the system again for bidding but if she isn’t successful it will be offered once ready.
Bidding opens tonight, I hope there is something suitable. We also hope mum comes top of the list for something, but I say this every week. I’m just gearing myself up to be knocked down again.
