do i need to provide a facial photograph to my housing association for tenancy audit

[pappay]

Hi

My housing association employee wants to take facial photographs of us for their tenancy audit after 38 years of residence.

Is this allowed?

[caro]

Have you had anything official in writing saying you have to? I'm sure there can't be anything in your tenancy agreement.

[pappay]

Thanks for your quick reply. There is nothing in our tenancy agreement that requires this. We have received a letter to say that the association is visiting all of it's tenants for a tenancy audit and require two forms of identification from each tenant and also will take a photograph of us when she comes on Wednesday.

Thank you in advance.

[caro]

There's info here in tenancy audits which may explain things better.

 

http://www.cih.org/resources/PDF/Policy%20free%20download%20pdfs/Preventing%20tenancy%20fraud.pdf

[silverfox1961]

Hi and welcome.

 

As suspected, this is an anti fraud measure being initiated by some councils and housing associations.

 

This to ensure that you are the person they are allowed to talk to (data Protection Act) and to check that you are not subletting.

 

There is some detail in this pdf

 

http://www.cih.org/resources/PDF/Policy%20free%20download%20pdfs/How%20to%20tackle%20tenancy%20fraud.pdf

 

While it may seem Big Brother is at it again, the housing association has a duty to account for every penny in and out.

[silverfox1961]

Too slow again foxy

[caro]

Reading that link I can't see that you have to allow a photo. If they insist and you don't want it, you could ask what legal requirement there is for you to agree. I may be wrong, but I suspect there's none. Others may be able to provide more informed advice.

[caro]

Too slow again foxy

 

Sunday morning lie-in?

[45002]

Hi

My housing association employee wants to take facial photographs of us for their tenancy audit after 38 years of residence.

Is this allowed?

 

Thanks for your quick reply. There is nothing in our tenancy agreement that requires this. We have received a letter to say that the association is visiting all of it's tenants for a tenancy audit and require two forms of identification from each tenant and also will take a photograph of us when she comes on Wednesday.

Thank you in advance.

 

 

 

Hello pappay.

 

Just say NO thank you to them.

 

As you been living there 38 years your going to have a "Protected Tenancy" and they can't evict you for saying No anyway.

 

But if your happy for them to take pics, then go ahead !

 

Up to you ...

[mariner51]

These days you need 2 forms of ID just to open most savings account.

The LL could require a copy of your passport to verify status under immigration rules being rolled out.

I am just grateful the 'produce on demand UK ID card was rejected, though I do have a voluntary official Citizen Card photo ID, to avoid producing passport etc.

If you want to be difficult, you could ask for HA's Data Protection registration and name of the designated Data Controller before agreeing to taking of your photo IMO.

[dpick]

This could also be due to cases like one near where I live. Young single woman living in 1 bedroom flat getting housing and council tax benefits and say JSA. Woman then meets a man and later moves in with him still claiming benefits for her flat. then later again woman's younger sister moves into flat and does not have to pay rent etc. as already paid by sisters benefits

 

 

The younger sister then gets job so is better off with free home and no repairs. If anyone turns up to complete a repair to property then they see a young woman of the same age group all ok.

 

 

It's a wonder they don't want more than photo's maybe have us all tagged.

 

 

dpick

[ericsbrother]

Kevin Warwick of Reading university wants everyone to be microchipped so all paedophiles, gun nuts and meglomaniac professors can be detained in lifts whilst the police are automatically called.

I diid try it for myself but I found out that I kept playing music through my leg bones every time the door buzzer was pressed.