SSFA Problems -Urgent

[Monica]

Posted very shortly, begining of Jan and are having problems getting SSFA. I was initially shown 2 properties and selected 1. This turned out to be furnished and the landlord would not defurnish it. Was shown a 3rd SSFA and accepted but landlord would not accept MOD tennants. Shown a 4th SSFA just as grant started. This property requires major redecoration, fitted funriture removed and bathroom refurbished. Told by the agent this was the only house available so I accepted. After speaking to the HIC they agreed it was not acceptable and a new search would be carried out. Then 24 hours later they contacted us to say that this house is still an option.


We have looked online and there are other more suitable houses in the area but HCR only seem to be dealing with only 1 estate agent.

Any help and advise would be gratefully accepted.

 

[snowball1]

Can't you take the furnished one and put your stuff in storage short term, I'm sure you can claim some of the cost back, must be better than the possibility of no house. Will the HIC be open before the 4th Jan?

 

[JPJ83]

With SSSA you can self-source, within their parameters. They will they take on sorting out the tenancy etc. Can you not do this?

 

[Monica]

Thanks for the replies but we are coming from overseas and have already made 2 visits to the UK to look at SSFAs.

If we did move into the furnished house we have to pay for the storage of our furniture and live the house for 6 months. As regards to self sourcing we would have to pay for all our storage and accommodation as we do not have any family or RAF facilities in this particular area.

Monica

 

[Joe_90]

Can you get in touch with the agent and ask them if they have any partners you can go through? What seems to happen is they know that DE wont go anywhere else so they try and palm the sh1te off on us, if you get in touch and talk to them about your needs you will find that they can be real people who understand you have a life, unlike DE who think of you as a pain in the @rse who's sole purpose in life is to prevent them drinking tea.

 

[TDJ]

Put in a level 2 complaint to DE as soon as you can and formally request that DE sort out the mess you are in. They have a responsibility to house you - always remember you are the customer and they are there to effectively do as you require (within the rules) - even more so if you are coming from abroad.

Bottom line stay firm with DE - do not take any waffle from them and be very clear in what you want and stick to it. Every time they mess then you should up the ante - ie not pay FQ charges for 6 months, have a bigger entitlement etc - push your luck, be a bit necky and you will get what you want. I have every time I have moved and have always had reduced rent charges, bigger house (paying the rent for my entitlement). Dont take any crap from the idiot you first get through to in the HIC - ask almost straight away for there manager, and give them tight timescales to get back to you.

Hope this helps - but dont forget to complain - one of the biggest reasons that DE do not improve is that we, as a military community, do not formally complain about them enough. Bear in mind that if is the mil interface that work with DE who look after the complaints process so you will be answered.