So they are wanting to end your Tenancy over a patch of mould?

 

Wow that's a first for me! In my opinion that's a bit OTT indeed.

 

What breach is it they state you have broken?

 

Is there anything in your Tenancy agreement re mould? (I'm also PR & mine just states that I've to maintain the property & garden to a good standard)

 

How long is your Tenancy agreement?

 

How much time is left on it?

 

I would in the first instance check your TA & then either write or call the LA & ask them exactly what it is you have done & how can you remedy it.

 

Do explain as you have here re the empty properties next door.

 

Now are you able to get the mould cleaned up & ask the LA to come check again?

 

I do hope you are able to get this situation sorted out with the least amount of stress on yourself.

 

Take care & good luck!

I can't clear the mould as I live in an old house with old ceilings plus I can't move the chest of drawers to even get into the corner if I could get up to the ceiling. I live alone so no one to help me either.

I am not under a current fixed tenancy agreement, it went to rolling nearly 2 years ago.

The breach has not been stated in detail just there is a breach.

I have spoken to them and they are not interested in the empty properties stating the problem is mine. The only fix is they will get someone in to deal with the mould issue and I will be charged for it, I was told to expect a bill of around £250.

It was made clear though that even if I did this I would still be evicted in two months time as they have said I am a bad tenant.

Thanks

I have today received a letter from my letting agent after an routine inspection that was carried out last week.

In this letter it states I am in breach of the tenancy agreement as there is mould on the bedroom ceiling. The letter states that notice to quit the property will be sent in another letter.

Now my issue with this is that I only noticed it two days before the inspection. Its in a corner of the bedroom ceiling I can't get to and as I only use lamps in my room then that corner is always in shadows as there is a chest of drawers on that wall.

When I informed the man who was carrying out the inspection I said it must be pretty new and explained that I kept my bedroom well aired. The window is open first thing in the morning to let the stale air out. I pointed put that the property next to mine and the one next to that are both empty. The property next to mine has been empty for 12 months this month, its a housing association property so I have no idea what could be going on inside that property.

He even agreed with me that it is more than likely down to the fact that the property next door is empty and freezing cold, he even said that something could be wrong with the house and having a knock on effect with mine. It seems though this is not what he has put in his report to the letting agent.

I just wondered how I should proceed with this, I don't have the money to find somewhere new to live and as I am signed off with depression and anxiety then all this is making it worse. I feel I am being punished for something that is not my fault as I keep my house warm and also ventilated.

Any advice welcome

Thanks

Just looking for a bit of advice.

I received a letter on Saturday saying my health questionnaire needed to be completed by December 2nd. I didn't know what they were talking about as I hadn't received any questionnaire from them.

I have spoken to someone today who said a questionnaire had been sent but they put a new one in the post and I am to return it as soon as possible.

They did say that I would miss the deadline for Decemeber 2nd and that a decision maker would decide on whether not receiving the original form would be a good enough reason for submitting the replacement late.

The person I spoke to on the phone said it probably wouldn't be as post would be assumed as recevied as its been posted. It was then stated that if it goes against me I would receive no money until I pass a medical assessment that could be a good 6 months away or more.

Even if they agree to accept my reason why it was late then I would not receive any money before Christmas. I am due to be paid next Tuesday and now I have to face the prospect of no money coming in to pay bills.

As I have been signed off with anxiety then this situation is not helping matters.

Is there anything I can do or just accept my fate when I return the new form?

Thanks

Have they actually said you will need a guarantor again?

As I am on benefits they do require a guarantor

Just looking for some advice.

My father is my guarantor for my house which is rented privately through an agent. I claim full LHA due to first being unemployed and now claiming ESA due to a medical condition.

The landlord through the agency want to increase my rent, no unreasonable since its been the same for 2 years.

However the problem I have is that my father moved to France at the start of October with his new wife. He is therefore no longer a UK homeowner or in employment as he retired then as well.

He still has a UK bank account that all his pensions are paid into and his pension still gives him nearly as much as when he was working.

I have rented this house for 3 years with no problems with the rent at all, only once was it slightly late but that was a problem with my bank and not the fact I did not have the money to pay the rent.

Would people see this now as a problem or would the fact I am a good tenant and my father still has links to the UK through his bank, myself and his ageing mother despite living in France not cause any problems.

Trying to get some feedback before going to the agent and putting all this to them, so I am a little forewarned.

Thanks

Hi everyone,

A new week and a completely different problem but another battle with my Jobcentre.

Last Friday I was signed off by my doctor for 4 weeks with anxiety. Things came to a head when I actually hid under the table in my living room because my advisor had called and was leaving me a message. The sound of their voice sent me into a complete panic, shaking, crying and nothing was calming me down. My doctor has signed me off as well as referring me for counselling and I have been perscribed anti-depressants. He made it clear it would be a couple of months before he would even consider saying I was fit for work again.

On Monday my friend took the doctors note into the Jobcentre as the doctor said I was to not do anything that makes me anxious. She was told that if I want to have the extended period of sickness and stay on JSA then I would need to go in and be interviewed by my advisor and they would decide whether they would accept my sickness. My friend tried to explain that the Jobcentre and my advisor were part of the reason for my anxiety (I do have other things going on which make it worse as well) and she was todl I would need to be interviewed by the manager then, again another part of my anxiety after my one meeting with them when they reduced me to a crying wreck.

Does anyone know if its true that I need to have an interview or are they making things difficult?

My friend suggested claiming ESA but I have read this form needs to be taken to the Jobcentre and you again have to see your advisor for it to be processed.

I am expected to be sanctioned, I was due to start MWA on Monday bit didn't attend. My friend rang them and they were told only the Jobcentre could stop it. So I am just waiting for the letter and the prospect of no money for 13 weeks despite being ill.

All of this is making my anxiety worse.

My college course has been put on hold until I am on a bit more of an even keel and then there will be a discussion about where to go from here.

Can anyone offer any advice on the sick note issue and what to do.

Thanks

Presumably, the hours are set by the college, so the answer would have to be No.

So my understanding of the regulations is if I say No then I am not entitled to any JSA despite it being a part time course

Sorry for the quick double post but hoping to get an answer ASAP as time is of the essence here

OK, so if I do fight this would I still be expected to attend on Monday?

Can get a letter in the post either today or tomorrow and send it signed for but that depends on when they look at it.

Thanks

Finally managed to find a ES567SJP form online that I have printed off and started to complete. As I have MWA hanging over me, not sure how to answer some of the questions as not sure whether MWA counts as a job opportunity.

Question 6 in part one asks - Are you willing and able to change the hours of your course so that they do not overlap with the hours you said you are available for work in your Jobseeker’s Agreement?

Now if I answer yes to that will it be claimed I can do MWA and fit college around it?

I have attached the form and the guidance they use.

If anyone can shed any light then please help.

I have a feeling that because I was referred to MWA the same day I found out I had an interview for college then they will use this to say the MWA takes priority and will have to give up the college course

Thanks

OK, so if I do fight this would I still be expected to attend on Monday? Can get a letter in the post either today or tomorrow and send it signed for but that depends on when they look at it.

Thanks

You could ignore the letter, but be aware that a benefit doubt would be raised the minute you failed to turn up at the placement. The DWP will not check that the letter was sent or that the details were incorrect - It would be up to you to prove that the letter was incorrectly addressed.

 

I would have expected the five day window for a reconsideration starts from the day you receive the letter. One would also expect it to be working days, not calender days. However, these people probably take it from the date the letter was printed, which may not even be the day it was posted.

 

If you decide to fight this head on, the main points to raise would be:

 

• Failure to follow correct procedure and conducting an interview before making any placement.
  
• Failing to ensure the placement is suitable and accessible by public transport, particularly at the start of the day.
  
• The letter fails to provide any details of the placement in respect as to what is expected of yourself or suitable clothing.
  
• The placement conflicts other provisions that would improve chances of employment, i.e. part time studies.
  

Throw in the fact that LearnDirect are addressing correspondence to an incorrect address and you have grounds for fighting future sanctions. You could also point out that they are putting client confidentiality at risk which the DWP generally take a dim view of.

The letter finally arrived today and has thrown up several issues.

1. Learndirects own inital letter to me said there would be a meeting arranged by phone. This was not done

2. The address on the letter does not match my address. It is a completely different street. Could I claim I had not recieved this letter or it had been delayed due to this. A way of buying myself a little extra time to get things worked out

3. There is no mention of travel expenses being paid as they needed to be prearranged at the meeting I did not have

4. The nature of what I am doing is completely inappropriate. It states its arts and crafts, an area I have no experience in at all. In fact I would say I was a complete disaster when it comes to anything arty or crafty

5. It says I can make a representation if I think the placement isn't suitable, it does not say how this needs to be done or how long I have apart from 5 days, but 5 days from when?

I am due to be there 4 days a week from 8am - 4pm, its in an area I don't know at all and as I rely on public transport it is a 1 hour 10mins journey away from my home.

Nowhere does it says in the letter what clothing I am required to wear, if its arts and crafts do I dress is my old tatty stuff or think the job is more selling maybe and wear something formal?

I have been to look at where the place is, the building its in looks abandoned with smashed windows, blinds falling down etc. My friend who took me said she feared for my safety if I was there.

Thanks for the advice so far.

Hope someone can advise some more

Thanks

I have managed to get a copy of the ES567SJP form online to declare my college course. I have printed it off to fill in but this has thrown up questions but will post as a new post

Many congratulations on the new job

Sorry for the long wait between updates again.

I am still waiting to hear from LearnDirect, I had signing on today and was asked what was happening. Said not heard anything for a while so I am expecting this now to be chased up.

I think I confused last time with my questions.

I have been told I need to fill in a ES567SJP to declare my course to the Job Centre, I can not get them to issue me with one but have found one online as long as the one published in 2011 is relevant.

Does the form above need to be given to the Job Centre before I ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration?

I am still currently jobsearching as normal and attending college 3 days a week, no more than 15.5 hours.

Hope someone can offer more advice and thanks for the advice so far

Thanks for the advice so far. Apologies for the delay in getting back, been sorting out the loan for me to do this course and it has sort of taken over.

Another update and a few more questions.

1. I am still waiting for the letter regarding my placement. I have no contact details for LearnDirect apart from an address so I am at a loss as to what to do now. The jobcentre told me that it was down to LearnDirect now and out of their hands

2. I have been told that a form would need to be filled in to inform the jobcentre of my starting college, however I was told by my advisor that a decision would be based on the fact I signed up for this course after I was informed of MWA and it would be seen as me trying to get out of MWA. I don't even know what form it is to try and find one online.

3. People have mentioned a mandatory reconsideration. How do I go about this and do I need to have completed the above mentioned form first?

4. I am due to sign next Tuesday and it clashes with college, I am there until 3pm and have to sign at 2.20pm, as I am getting no help from the JC at all then not sure how to handle this one. Would I be allowed to sign late if I am at college?

Hope people can advise further.

Thanks again

Sorry just thought of one further question.

It relates to MWA and what is deemed a good reason for missing a day. If I do have to do this, then I will be unable to do a day owing to seeing my father.

While that in itself doesn't sound a good reason, then I wondered whether the fact he moved to France around 6 months ago and I have not seen him since and if I don't see him on this day then it will be next year at some point before I get another chance to see him again.

Would this be reasonable or should I just tell my dad to forget seeing me as I won't be able to.

Thanks for the help

Right an update on what is going on.

1. Recieved my letter from LearnDirect saying they would ring me to arrange a meeting to discuss the placement. This call was made today, the same day I recieved the letter. I wasn't in to answer the phone so a message was left saying details of my placement would be posted to me as I was not there to engage in the arrangement of a meeting.

The letter actually said I had agreed to the referral to MWA, on Tuesday I did not agree to anything. I was in no fit state to agree. Apart from signing to recieve my JSA I know I did not sign any documents.

2. I actually got into college today. Its been confirmed as 15.5 hours per week, spread over 3 days. Effectively 3 whole days. And I start of Tuesday with an induction with the course starting properly the following Monday.

I went to the jobcentre after to request an appointment to reneogiate my CC but I was told that college hours would not be taken into account to restrict the hours available for work especially when going through until July next year. I would be able to do a course as long as it was done in my own time.

As they pulled up my records they saw I had been referred to MWA and I was told I would be unable to do this college course as MWA is 30 hours spread over a number of days.

I was given the options to either do the college course but would have to sign off or give up the college course.

Are they right in what they say or not?

Thanks for the help

Thanks for all the advice so far

I was told that college was not an option as I was expected to attend for 15 hours per week and MWA would not allow for that.

I was told I have not worked for a number of years and this is a barrier to getting me back to work so needed to learn work ethics and have something current to put on my CV.

Dreading the post arriving with this letter saying when I start etc

I have had to sign up using a new username as I couldn't gain access to my old account. I had forgotten my password and didn't have access to the email address I used. My old username was Deco_Nic

I signed on yesterday (Tuesday) and it didn't go well. My new advisor was sat there but I was actually dealt with by the Jobcentre manager.

Firstly I had my jobsearch evidence questioned. I stated I didn't give access to my UJ account and present it hadnwritten as I always had, I was told this wasn't good enough, lucky as I had been assigned a new advisor the fortnight before I had printed off my activity from UJ. This printout was closely scruntnised. The manager picked up on I had not applied for any jobs actually using UJ, I only apply to jobs that take me to external sites. They were not happy about this and kept questioning me as to why I would not use UJ. I was getting myself extremely distressed, I suffer with despression and anxiety. I had to call my friend over who I take with me to try and explain things as I could not speak as I was crying and gasping for breath.

The issue of jobsearch evidence was dropped and I was told it had been decided I was being referred for Mandatory Work Activity, it was something that had been decided with no discussion with me. As I say only two weeks previously I had been assigned a new advisor who said I would be given many opportunities once we had got to know each other.

As I was so distressed from the jobseatch evidence incident, I wasn't taking in anything that was said. I was giving a letter saying I had been referred and I would hear from the provider, LearnDirect I believe, within 8 working days.

The one question I did get to ask was about college, I have an interview on Thursday to start a part time Access to HE course at the beginning of next week, its so I would be able to go to university next September. The course has 15 hours of teaching and the college said that many unemployed take courses of 15 hours with no problems. I was told that MWA takes priority and I would not be allowed to take the course now I am referred and I would have to take it the next time the course is run, that is next September. I was told that MWA was my only option.

I had wanted to discuss with my advisor about starting my own business that I would be able to do alongside college and the university. I had read about New Enterprise Allowance and wanted to ask about it but didn't even get a chance.

All the manager could say is that they suffer with depression and anxiety and hold down a full time job and MWA would do me good. They even suggested it would help get me into university next year as I would be more confident.

I just feel totally railroaded and like my thoughts did not count at all.

Is there anything that I can do or do I just accept MWA and that I won't be going to university until 2017 at the earliest?

Also were they correct in saying I would not be able to do this college course?

To be honest I feel on the scrapheap and not allowed to retrain for the job I have wanted to do for years but until earlier this year not had the guts to go for.

Thanks for any advice

Just wanted to say thanks for all the help.

Made a complaint to the job centre and I have been informed that its been found my complaint was unfounded and the advisor did nothing wrong.

I still see the same advisor from time to time as I do not see the same person every fortnight.

When the letter came I wasn't surprised with what it said at all.

Hi,

Sorry a quick question.

My jobcentre has introduced electronic signing and on my next signing day (Tuesday), I need to take in ID and provide six signatures.

On my last signing day I was given the copy of the letter, only valid ID I have is my debit card which I have my benefits paid into.

However I was told by the person signing me that a copy of both sides of my debit card will be made and kept on file. Does this have to happen? Obviously I am concerned that any copies could get into the wrong hands.

The old chestnut of needing to use Universal Jobmatch otherwise payment won't be released was also mentioned. I have been issued a paper book for this fortnight but was told no payment could be recieved if my jobsearch can not be verified digitally.

Thanks for the help

I went to sign on yesterday and came away shaken and in floods of tears.

I was called over to see the advisor who was going to sign me and had my written jobsearch evidence with me.

They asked me how I recorded my jobsearch and I said written on the forms that are given out at the jobcentre. They asked why not on universal jobmatch and I stated that I was happy doing it my way as it kept things clear in my mind.

The advisor then when on about how when electronic signing comes in, the pads are there on the desks already, then I would have to provide my jobsearch evidence using universal jobmatch, no ifs or buts as it would be checked remotely by another office before payment is released and if I refuse access then I get no money and my claim will be closed or I will be sanction.

I didn't know what to say to this, never heard anything about this so didn't know if they were lying or what to me. They kept going on and on about access to my universal jobmatch account and wouldn't just accept that I was saying no and wanted to record my jobsearch my way.

In the end I was getting myself so distressed I had to call my friend over, I take my friend with me I suffer with terrible nerves and get so anxious every time I go near the jobcentre as I am unsure of what will happen each fortnight. By the time she got over I was in floods of tears and was gasping for breath.

The advisor then said sign that and told my friend to keep quiet as she was not allowed to speak. They told me this would be discussed on another occasion as access will need to be given.

I felt like the advisor was like a dog with a bone and wouldn't let it go no matter what I said.

I am now scared of what will happen the next signing day.

Can anyone offer any advice at all?

Thanks

It must be a FULL birth certificate, not the short version.

Just wanted to ask what happens if all that has ever been issued is a short version?

When I was registered and the date on the birth certificate backs this up, then a short version was all that was issued to my parents.

Sorry for hijacking this thread but I am curious to know.

Thanks

So I recieved no callback today. Will have to ring again in the morning.

Is there anything I can do at all to speed things up?

Checked my bank account and I have £1.52 to last me until god knows when.

Thanks

Just spoken to someone again at one of the contact centres using the number on the letter.

This time had someone much more helpful. They could see what had happened, when whoever it was went in to close to original claim they not only closed that claim but my claim as a whole including the rapid reclaim.

They themselves it was a mess and they had no idea why that had been done. The person on the phone did apologise and said I had done nothing wrong, they could see I had attended my reclaim appointment and even the time I was due to sign today, which they confirmed had been cancelled when the claim was closed down completely.

I am now waiting for a call back from the jobcentre to see if there is anything they can do, I was told there is a chance they might be able to do something that means I won't need to make a completely new claim.

Apart from wait is there anything I can do?

Thanks