Homeless

david235 · September 2019

I wanted to amplify @poppy123456 's comments about internal noise by saying that even some purpose built flats have internal noise issues, especially older ones. After graduation, my brother bought what is called a Tyneside flat - a sort of terraced maisonette. His property was on the first floor. The downstairs flat was owned by an elderly couple who complained about the slightest noise - even walking across the bedroom floor to go to the bathroom at night. He put in a properly engineered soundproofed floor, but they still made wholly unreasonable complaints about him walking quietly around his flat at night (he couldn't help it - he was a doctor working shifts). Indeed, their broader attitude was that because they owned the downstairs flat that they had the right to impose conditions on the use of his flat and his garden - which, of course, they did not. They wanted him to get his part of the garden into a well kept state - he just wanted to cut the weeds down and leave it as he didn't have the time and energy for gardening after work and ongoing study. In the end, the attitude of this couple was a key part of why he and his wife sold his property when they got married and kept hers.

My brother's situation was undoubtedly an extreme case. Most neighbours are happy to live and let live when others are reasonable - a few, sadly, are not (I note your previous sad experience of sectarian discrimination, @TeddyB22 ). In most cases, simply going round to the neighbours can give you a good idea whether people are going to be OK, but I note your issues with speaking to people on the telephone and suspect, perhaps wrongly, that these issues are at least as present speaking to people face to face. Is there perhaps anyone who could go to a viewing with you and ask around a little on your behalf?

When you buy a property, it is normal for the buyer to put questions to the seller as part of the conveyancing process. Without getting too deep into the law, the seller only has a limited duty to disclose issues which really does not extend to neighbour behaviour. The seller's duty to disclose is more about issues with the seller's title of the property, perhaps an undisclosed right of a neighbour to cross the land (what is known as an easement). Even so, buyers have some chance to ask sellers about the neighbours. A prospective tenant does not get this opportunity - and someone in your position has no genuine choice when they are in situations where the housing market is buoyant and most landlords have considerable interest in any available properties to rent.

As Poppy says, the best you can do is ask as many questions as you feel able to - and do not assume that temporary means you will only be there for a short period. It might be months or even years until you are offered more permanent housing. Before agreeing to move in, I would ask careful questions about whether you can stay there until permanent housing appears, also what happens if this property does not work out. You have more leverage when you are homeless than once you are housed - though you are far more aware than I am of how little is sometimes done for those who are homeless.

I hope the viewing shows the flat to be more promising than you fear it might be.

I wanted to return briefly to one point in my earlier post where subsequent comments show I might not have stepped as clearly away from a worst case scenario as I thought I had. I was trying to impress on you how seriously the law can takes something, whilst trying to be clear that I felt the chances of anything happening to you were very low and even if something did happen that the likely consequences would be minor (but nevertheless perhaps troublesome when seeking housing). It is no longer a live scenario - but if my comments did not come across as intended, and any distress was caused, I apologise. Sometimes words on a computer screen do not adequately convey the intended meaning.

I truly do wish you well and hope that things start to improve soon.

TeddyB22 · September 2019

Hi David. Thanks for taking the time to post. I really have learned a valuable lesson now. I'm weary of renting apartments now though living next to someone doesn't lessen the chance of conflict. Although my problem stemmed from my neighbours I also experienced intimidation from others from the area. You see here areas are how can I say this... segregated. The more expensive areas with little Housing Executive tenants tend to be safer and better patrolled by police and neighbourhood watch.
I know as a Roman Catholic that they're are areas I cannot go. Brexit is around the corner which may mean a return to a hard border here. Apart from the economic and logistic problems it may cause (out may also be fine) any attacks on police or authority at that border could spiral into sectarian tit for tat murder. It is people like me, alone, vulnerable and isolated that were the easiest targets. That sounds a tad maybe dramatic but we became desensitised to the daily parade of coffins bc it was just a normal occurrence.
I simply would feel safer in an area that didn't have alot of crime etc.

TeddyB22 · September 2019

I've been offered a private house for rent in a fairly decent area. I've paid the deposit and had to pay 2 months upfront bc the landlord has experience of people on universal credit.
I have no option but to take it. I've lived in the area before without any problems. It's on a busy road but has double glazing. The house was occupied when I viewed it so I expected there won't be anything there when I move in. I'm going to have to furnish the place. There's no washing machine, fridge, cooker or bed. I'll just have to gather things up.
Is oil central heating so I need to fill the tank up for winter.
I have a PIP Tribunal on Thursday. Nearly one and a half years after my initial interview. However my Doctors receptionist hasn't printed my medical notes yet and I won't have time to send them. They should have been ready weeks ago. When I complained the receptionist said 'they don't read them anyway'. I think the decision is made before you even enter the room. I have no representation and I'm just anxious to get it done with. It would be a massive help especially now but I'm told the panel of experts are given bonuses for turning people down. The whole experience has been humiliation. Hopefully Labour will win the next election and put an end to this Tory sponsored farce.
Not sure how to prepare except answer their questions truthfully.
TeddyB

poppy123456 · September 2019

The Tribunal do not receive any bonus's for refusing a benefit. They are totally independent to DWP and the health assessment providers.

Did you send any evidence to support your claim? If you didn't and they don't have enough information or evidence to support your claim then they could adjourn the hearing for you to send in the evidence they ask you to. This has been known to happy many times.

Hopefully it doesn't happen to you but good luck and do let us know the outcome.

The house, i'm glad you've found somewhere that's suitable. For furniture try looking on the free sites on your local face book group and gumtree, they often have things on there. There's also FB sites that sell household items for your area. Well worth having a look. Good luck with the move.

[Deleted User] · September 2019

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poppy123456 · September 2019

@Apolloesque had you read all the other comments then you would have seen that Teddy has successfully found their self a house from a private landlord.

Local council housing aren't always helpful and even less so for those that are single. It's extremely difficult out there for those claiming benefits when trying to find somewhere to live.

Adrian_Scope · September 2019

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Sam_Alumni · September 2019

Hi @Apolloesque
@Adrian_Scope has shared our full guidelines for the community, this doesn't mean that you have broken all of these guidelines but that we felt some of your posts weren't in line with some of our guidelines. Please be assured that you are not in any way being accused of encouraging someone to take their own life.

We have received your email and responded, could you check you email and let us know how to proceed.
Best wishes to you.

TeddyB22 · September 2019

Thank you Polly for your good wishes. I didn't bring my medical notes last time which is why they sent me home and now I'm turning up without them again. If the Dr can somehow push her clerks I might bring them with me. The receptionist did tell me that it is better to bring them personally as they are confidential but I'll just explain about the delay and hopefully they might wait.
TeddyB.

poppy123456 · September 2019

It's Poppy not Polly

lol

As they specifically adjourned previously and asked you to send in your medical records, which you haven't done then it could be adjourned again for the same reason.

I recently requested my medical records from my GP practice and they were ready to view online within 36 hours. They are free to receive digital copies but any paper copies will need to be paid for.

Taking evidence with you on the day is risky too because they may not have time to read through them, which can cause another delay.

TeddyB22 · September 2019

Sry Poppy, how embarrassing.
I wasn't aware that you could give them digital copies and I know from my Dr that fit along time people weren't even aware they only had to bring the last 4 yrs worth. My Dr is going to do mine tomorrow and it should be available for me then. I received a call from (caller no was unknown) I think the Law Society who were contacted by my Psychologist. They said they would represent me. They have advised me to go but ask for another adjournment. This will be the second. I'm really not sure what to do now. Should I bring the medical notes and forgoe representation? I could just not bring them and tell them I need more time to organise representation and medical notes.
If only they had phoned me a week ago.

poppy123456 · September 2019

No worries. lol Paper copies of evidence need to be sent to HMCTS, i think you misunderstood what i said. I said that it's free to receive digital copies of your medical records for yourself but any paper copies need to be paid for.

If you have chance to be represented then i would take that opportunity but asking for an adjournment on the day of the hearing maybe too late but i'm no expert. You should take the evidence with you just incase they refuse to adjourn it again.

Even with representation you will still need to speak for yourself.

If it was me then i would have been constantly on the phone to the GP practice asking where that medical evidence is and sent it.

When is the hearing date? sorry if you already mentioned that but i've got a little lost in this thread because it's gone from talking about permitted work for ESA to UC to renting privately and now onto a PIP Tribunal

TeddyB22 · September 2019

My tribunal is tomorrow. I'm receiving printed copies which are free but you have to pay for any subsequent ones.
I was on the phone to the receptionist at the doctors. They had told me not to ring and they they would ring me when it was done.
I was told by PIP helpline that it could be done in 3 days. My Dr said that other patients have been told the same. The tribunal will take 3 days approximately to read through the notes.
I'm aware ok have to dial for myself but the Doctor on the panel did tell me to bring someone. If feel alot better going through it with someone of expertise. They can't guarantee you'll win but say they have a high success rate.
I'm waiting on them calling. I'm nearing the end of this process so can't wait for it to be over.

TeddyB22 · September 2019

Please excuse the terrible grammar. My phone changes words as it sees fit.

Adrian_Scope · September 2019

Good luck with your tribunal @TeddyB22. I hope it goes well.

poppy123456 · September 2019

Good luck, do let us know the outcome.

poppy123456 · September 2019

@TeddyB22 how did it go, any news?

Chloe_Scope · September 2019

Hi @TeddyB22, I hope your tribunal went well yesterday.

TeddyB22 · September 2019

Hi. Thank you Chloe. I got an adjournment. They were fine with it. Feel a little deflated as it could have been over had I been a little more responsible and assertive. They asked me for 2 yrs medical advice and only relevant information like Doctor's/Pyshc reports.
I'm hopeful as my friend got his PIP first go. I guess it all depends on the day.
Have a great day.
TeddyB.

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