Unable to save a deposit - any advice

tracyjay1

I have an autistic daughter who is unable to cope with our noisy neighbours and i have to find somewhere else to rent asap. The only problem is that we have a low income and a bad credit rating so we are struggling to get a deposit and moving costs. Does anyone know of any schemes or grants that are out there to help with my situation as I cannot bear to watch my daughter suffering.

poppysarah

Do they own next door or rent?

Do you rent? From the council?

What sort of noise? It is normal household noise or music or something else?

sjaypink

there is a rent bond scheme available from your local council. same department as housing benefit, or it may be under housing advice. explain the whole situation to them, they should help, fingers crossed.

if not, if youre on benefits you could perhaps consider a budgeting loan or similar? if working could you take out a small loan as a last resort?
eta: just read re bad credit rating- perhaps a last resort could be selling some things? if youre housing association/ council you could do an exchange?

tracyjay1

They own next door and we rent from a private landlord. They are constantly drilling and hammering and this has been happening every day for the past two years. They were hammering on the other side of my daughters bedroom wall last night and woke her up. I work from home and I am unable to answer my phone sometimes as the noise is so loud.

tracyjay1

What is the rent bond scheme? Is this just for council houses or can anyone get it?

tbs624

Welcome as a newbie Tracy

Contact your local Council's private sector rentals team and ask them about "rent guarantee schemes" in your area - these are normally run jointly by local charities & the council. (Edit - others posts arrived in meantime!)

You may also like to contact your local councillor for help - you can input your postcode here to get the contact info

Are there any autism support groups locally, or advocacy groups who can help?

poppysarah

Speak to environmental health and see what they say. They should come and monitor the noise levels and take action.

tbs624

The Schemes provide a promise or guarantee to the LL that they will cover damage etc to a maximum of £x ( the Council then recovers this from the tenant if it has to actually pay out) There will normally be several provisos that you have to meet on income, local connections, etc and, yes, they are for use with private sector rentals.

tracyjay1

This sounds promising. I will go and phone the housing department and see if they do this in our area.

baileysbattlebus

My daughter borrowed the deposit from the council (Wokingham), they gave her a cheque for the first months rent and deposit.

They gave her a rent book to pay them back, it's a loan not a gift and you are supposed to pay them pack.

She put her name down on the council waiting list and then started looking at private rentals, when she had found somewhere she approached the council, who inspected the flat and said it was fine to rent.

She didn't have to meet any income limits and lived in the area anyway, I know someone else who was on income support who got the same thing. Though different councils may have different requirements.

The council were very efficient during whole process I'm surprised to say.

tracyjay1

I can't believe how helpful everyone is on this site. I have been so depressed but now I have some hope. Thanks everyone.