Renting and domestic violence

Tia_Maria06

Speaking from personal experience of dom violence and life in Women's Aid refuge, I think I can safley say that she should get out immediately and WA will sort out all the legal technicalities and ensure that she is away from her partner and both will be safe and cared for. When all work with her is done, emotionally and practically then they will also help sort out where she will live, that may be council/housing !!!.... Dont delay, it was the best thing i EVER did... good luck x

EmRayMarRhys

She needs to get hold of Womens Aid, urgently. If she can't make the call then can you do it for her?

0808 2000 247

You CAN make that call for her, I did for a friend and they gave me all the legal advice and the offer of a place in a refuge. They then found her new housing.

http://www.womensaid.org.uk/

PLEASE try and do something today. She and this baby don't have to live like this.

Tia_Maria06

I would say that although your offer of a safe haven is going to be great, i would use that if the WA dont have room just now, I stayed with my friend over the weekend til a room became avail. Then I would get her to the proffessionals, the risk of her returning to him will be greater if shes at yours, and also when WA have her they can help her get strong nd break the ties with him...

(sorry about spelling mistakes)

poppysarah

If she is in fear or her life then what the landlord thinks is irrelvent.

Get her out and worry about the rest later.

Bufger

i can only enforce what others have said.

Firstly ring the WA yourself, tell them she is frightened to even ring family and shes using a secret email address. Tell them she has asked for help (if she has) but you're not sure she will leave if it comes down to it. They will advise you on how to convince her out of there and when it comes to the day make sure hes at work and whoever collects her has a few friends with them.

get everything out in one go and get her to the WA. They have professionals that will be able to deal with the psychological side of things you wont be able to help with.

It wont take her long to realise it was a good thing once shes been with the WA for a while. Its just scarey for people in the first stages as they think they should just go back and apologise. After all its all shes known for a while!

Get her out though. Nobody should have to live in fear in their own home.

MunnyBoiler

Forget about the tenancy issues - they can be sorted out at a later day.

The important issue is that she escapes from this abusive relationship urgently.

I would recommend the following website as reading, so you can help support your sister - www.womensaid.org.uk

To start preparing your sister for fleeing her situation, make sure she keeps documents such as her birth certificate, her child's BC, any financial information, bank statements, tenancy agreement etc altogether and easily at hand so she can take this with her if she needs to leave in a hurry.

Good luck

Fire_Fox

Get her out of there whatever way you can - ideally a couple of days before a rent day - then submit written notice to the landlord/ letting agent the same day. She is only then in a contract for another month, which will presumably already be paid by the time the lowlife finds out and if it isn't the money can come out of the damage deposit. I'd be inclined to contact a women's shelter AND the police as there have been verbal threats of further violence. Be cautious what addresses are given to the letting agents and/ or landlord as sometimes mistakes can be made with confidentiality of information. The police may even be willing to be present if your sister needs to collect any belongings, or you need to collect on her behalf.

Edited to add: if there are any joint bank accounts these may need freezing, the ex may rinse them for all the money or withhold child benefits etc. She may be able to open a basic bank account at your address in secret again you might look into this for her, or maybe she has a bank account in the baby's name that she can use temporarily? Copies of birth certificates for both your sister and the baby are pretty easy to get hold of. I am sure a women's refuge could advise on all of this, sadly they must have women come to them with nothing every day. Another avenue of support and confidential advice may be her family doctor - does she go alone with the baby?

theartfullodger

Yup, get her out... However it would help if there can be report to police beforehand (even 5 mins beforehand) so that if/when presenting herself& baby to council as homeless (if she wants to go that way).. the fact of the baby & threatened with/actual domestic violence should increase her chances of being given somewhere to live... Every council has their own rules however.

Sorry to read the story: That man needs locking up!

Cheers!

Lodger