I had received an offer for accommodation a while ago (almost 2 years ago).
Throughout many conversations and emails with various people in housing association and Council, I had explained many
times that I am a private tenant and according to my tenancy agreement, I would
have to let my landlord know at least 1 month in advance before I moved out. And they keep telling me they will know
when the handover is some time near the end of September. Additionally, I
explained that because I receive housing benefit it would be tough for me if
they gave short notice for the handover. The reason for this is since I would
need to pay the gap between the housing benefit payment date for my current
accommodation and the new one.
Out of the blue, someone called me on August
29, 10:55am and she told me I had to be there in 5 minutes (so 11am) to get the
key and move in to the new accommodation. I then explained to her that due to
my health conditions, I wouldn’t be able to move in at such short notice, as I would
need to get help for moving, I would need to tell my landlord in advance, etc.
She then said, at most, I must come get the key on 1 Sep (which I did), and the
tenancy will start on 5 Sep. On 31 August, I filled in the housing benefit form
for the new place, to let them know as soon as possible. Then someone from
the housing association called me and told me it was naughty of
them and they should have waited until 22 Sep to sign the tenancy agreement (22
Sep is the date at which my tenancy finishes at my current accommodation). He
also stressed that since my tenancy will be probationary during the first year,
it is important to not have any arrears so it doesn’t affect my
tenancy renewal next year.My question is, why housing benefit didn't update my account online, and do they back date for new accommodation although they paid for my rent for previous one?
Can anybody advise me please.
