Single Parent Student Returning From 1 Year Exchange - Help With Starting Again

MichA_3

Hello there...
I figure if there's anywhere I might get some good suggestions on what to do, its here! So to my dilemma...

I am a single mum of 2 under 7's, and full time student on Exchange in Aus at the moment. To come out here for one year I sold my material things & brought my children to a year in the sun. I also came because my parents are here, and I imagined I would be able to take part time work and save up to pay for a year of post-graduate study before applying to migrate.

Needless to say, that has not worked out. Not only are the childcare costs restrictive (I did not know that Student loans would not pay childcare if I wasnt in the country - as I was informed that I would still get all my loans and benefits as before), but also the cost of living is much higher, and work - particularly part-time work for students whose visa's are ending soon -- is like golddust. So I am returning home.

The problem is not that I have no material things to furnish my home at all, the issue is the accommodation. I am worried that if I dont find a place to rent, in a borough that has a reliable housing benefits system, within the first few weeks I will be completely financially drained and with no options. I have the total of rent (800) plus deposit (800) and even agency fee (200) for when I come back, but the problem of finding somewhere before I arrive and moving in the next few days after arrival is a real issue. Of course, this is because I will be spending the money on b&B's or hotels while I am looking. There are no family or friends that I can stay with, even in the short term.

Anyway, I need help with this, as I am loosing sleep over it and thats down to not having a roof to put over my children's heads when we touch down in London after 30+ hours of flight/travel. I have tried advertising on gumtree but all I have had it loads of spam and phishing emails from people trying to take me for a ride and get me to pay a deposit to "hold" the property until I arrive in July (??).

I have tried finding short term accommodation but what I really need is a place to settle. Maybe that someone else can go look at for me, and I can pay the deposit and move in within a few days of arriving back.

I'm looking to live in either South London (near Grove Park/Mottingham, near a school) or in Milton Keynes (in Kents Hill, Loughton and surrounds). I need a minimum 2 bed with 2 receptions or a 3 bed, with a garage. And I need to be in a borough that will process a housing benefit claim in a timely manner, of course with a landlord that accepts that I will be looking for work or possibly returning to full time study, therefore claiming benefits. I am hoping that someone reading this email is either in a position to help, or knows someone who can. Or can offer constructive and valid advice.

Martin -- I know you're busy, but I'd really like your help here

Oldernotwiser

I'd contact your university's accommodation service; I think overseas students often arrange their accommodation before arrival in the UK and it would obviously be furnished.

MichA_3

Hi Oldernotwiser
Thanks for taking the time to reply. That would be a perfect solution, although I'm not an international student, I'm just away on exchange study. Plus university accommodation doesn't accommodate children I had hoped they could do something, but its not something they cater for. Which is why I have to try and sort it out on my own.

Oldernotwiser

MichA wrote: »

Hi Oldernotwiser
Thanks for taking the time to reply. That would be a perfect solution, although I'm not an international student, I'm just away on exchange study. Plus university accommodation doesn't accommodate children I had hoped they could do something, but its not something they cater for. Which is why I have to try and sort it out on my own.

I appreciate that you're actually a home student but overseas students come to the UK with their families so university accommodation services often have details of some family accommodation. Have you checked or are you just assuming?

MichA_3

I can assure you that with the impending prospect of having no roof over my head on my return, I have definitely checked it out. this posting is a last resort for me. I've checked on all the usual letting websites, with my university and even advertised on the gumtree - only to get loads of spam messages from people who think I am an easy target just because I am out of the country.

This is not my starting point. I have tried all other imaginable options which is why I have posted here to see if anyone else had any other ideas I could try. Perhaps it wasnt the right place to post... thanks for your help.

elektra-2007

what part of the country did you come from before you left? ring the council there and speak to the housing department they will have a list of landlords and if the worse happens can arrange some emergency accomodation for you and the kids. if i lived in london you could have stayed with me for a few nights until you sorted yourself out...its hard being a single parent i hope you get somthing sorted out.
one other thing have u tried estate agents online who you can ring and they let propetys they may have somthing availible for when you get back.
As far as i am aware housing is very hard to come by in/around london...maybe you should think about another part of the country.