Terms & Conditions

[kstev]

Hello out there! I am looking at the possibility of running a trial of our RSL’s verfiying documents for new claims & maybe change of circumstances. I have the evaluation write up of the 2003 pilot scheme for this but I am wondering if any of you currently use a 3rd party to verify documents and if so, does this cost your authority much? Do you have any key points you think are important for me to take on board? ❓

[simonh]

We have recently started a 12 month trial of just this for new claims. Staff from the RSL visit all new tenants and help them fill in claim forms and provide copies of all evidence. We paid for some ‘verification’ training on evidence requirements and that, so far has been the only cost. The RSL even paid for a digital camera themselves to provide evidence of documents seen. they print them off and bring them in along with the claim form. eventually we hope that they will bring the ememory card in and we an download them directly into the DIPs system we use.

whilst its too early to have carried out any real evalatuation, initial signs are good:
We save staff time in not having to help complete forms and gather evidence.
This leads to improved processing times.
Which leads to a reduction in arrears for the RSL

Everyones happy 😀

[sunnyjim]

RSL’s have been verifying claims for us for years and we don’t find there are any issues. The only cost to us is the initial verfication training we provide.

On a practical point the only thing I’d say is that when we first started this process we did ask assessors to keep records of every claim that had been verified by a RSL so we could identify any errors/problems at an early stage.

[kstev]

Thanks for that. I will have to monitor any verification for a while to make sure the scheme is effective. I assume our only costs will be the cost of training & hand outs. Compared to calls from RSL’s chasing whether a claim has been made this seems a better option. If anyone else has any pointers please share. 😀

[rds01]

If we agree to let RSL’s verify documents on our behalf, do we have to have anything formal in writing etc or can we just do it and accept their stamps/signatures? Thanks in advance.

[simonh]

We have an SLA in place and I would suggest that you have something similar.

[craigworc]

I’ve just done some training for 3 of our RSL’s who have had a big turn over in staff … we already had a SLA in place for those that was set up when the RSL Verification Scehme came about.

We now have had another 2 RSL’s request this … am I right in thinking that the RSL VF scehme no longer has any relevance or should we base any SLA’s on this guidance?

[simonh]

I think it should refelct what you want from them. You need to ensure that tehy are providing evidence to an acceptable standard and that this is the same as you would expect from your own staff. If you think the existing SLA covers this then I would carry on, otherwise looka t updating it.

[mattk]

In an attempt to resurrect this issue, does anyone accepts the RSL VF evidence electronically and if so how?

We have some partners who have scanners so no problem in theory then producing the images that could be put in to our DIP system, but how is this received by other local authorities? Secure email address, encrypted discs, something else?

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