Intentionally homeless, advice needed!! (might be long!)

Horace

An SOA is a Statement of Affairs..you note dow your income and expenditure on it. https://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html - follow the instructions on there to copy and paste it to MSE (here).

dancingfairy

What a nasty woman in housing benefit. It hardly helps you does it? To be honest while what you did is not what you were meant to do with a husband and a child to look after who wouldn't if they were desperate maybe use the money to pay the bills?
Can your local councillor help you at all?
Can you get a new bank account for the future? this is so that any benefits you do get can be used by you to pay bills or whatever and not go towards paying off the overdraft - first you need to be able to pay the rent, food , gas, electric etc and then after that any spare money can go towards any credit cards or overdrafts etc. If you don't get a fresh bank account you may find the bank just takes all your money in fees off you so you are left with nothing. Obviously though you need to get the benefits sorted out which can be easier said than done.
I think the first priorites need to be to find out what benefits you are entitled to, stop the repossession (perhaps getting the housing benefit paid direct to the landlady would help with this), have you got food in the cupboards at the moment? and have you got access to any money at the moment at all?
Can you do an SOA -as this would help.
df

Ames

Can I ask why your husband has a problem with the LHA going straight to the landlady?

All I can say is keep trying Shelter, I found them really helpful when I needed advice.

lolly_896

ohhh goodness!

I hope the other thread helps you a little. I think its best if the landlord gets the rent, maybe she will give you some grace. (fingers crossed for you)

If you do a SOA, everybody can have a look and see if you can make any cut backs and point out where you can make them, fresh eyes.

I agree with the others, you will need to prioritise your bills and then pay off what you can to creditors even if it's a £1 a month or something.

Lots of hugs xxx

RAS

lisa.m wrote: »

My husband on the other hand...well he's no help at all had a right go at me for telling the housing benefit to pay money direct to landlord..I dont know.

If the landlady had any wits, once your debt exceeded two month's rent, she would have demanded that the rent was paid by the Council direct to her account. She is entitled to do this and your OH would have no choice in the matter. He would have to accept it or move.

dancingfairy

Can I point out that the husband may also be suffering the stress and be worried that he can't afford to feed or clothe his family? He may not be thinking clearly.
df

claire123c

Hi OP,

I am a newish lurker, but I wanted to offer my advice.

Having worked in LA Housing advice and homeless service, if you have recieved an intentionally homeless decision, then you are unlikely to be housed by the Council as a 'priority'. You do have the right to have this decision in writing and you will have 21 days from the date of the letter to appeal their decision. The decision will then be reviewed by a senior officer. Unfortunately LHA is simply that- it's money for your rent, and people do not have the right to use it for other means so you may find your intentional decision stands. Your LHA dept will request you repay this so will be in touch, however they can set up affordable payment plans so don't worry too much about that.

However, you may still be eligible for the council's general waiting list, so depending on how high demand council housing is in your area, you MAY have this option. Also, look at registering with housing associations in the area, don't be choosy about where you'll live and get on as many housing lists as possible. Long term these rents are more affordable.

Some Local Authorities have a 'homeless prevention fund' which may be able to assist you with a deposit for moving into an alternative private tenancy, or assist you with funds to reduce you current arrears. They can also try to negotiate with your current landlord to recind the notice she has served- if they can assit you to pay the arrears and ensure LHA goes direct to her then she might be willing to enter an agreement with you. This will be in the Housing Advice/Homeless department. You need to have an appointment with an advisor there to discuss your options.

Remember that you can only be evicted from your property with a court order, so you have rights to remain in your property throughout the eviction process until you receive a date from court to leave and this process can take several months from a section 21 notice being served. Please make sure your LHA claim is active again and sorted, rather than stop paying any rent as you think you are leaving anyway. (I'm not saying you would do this btw!)

The homeless department are also 'housing advice' so return to their offices to look at your options, as they will be able to help you with realistic advice.

Welfare Rights and Debt Advice should have a service in your LA- much more helpful than CAB in my opinion so it's worth giving them a call.

If you want to let me know your Local Authority I could give you more info if I'm aware of them- some councils have brilliant housing departments.

lisa.m_3

claire123c wrote: »

Hi OP,

I am a newish lurker, but I wanted to offer my advice.

Having worked in LA Housing advice and homeless service, if you have recieved an intentionally homeless decision, then you are unlikely to be housed by the Council as a 'priority'. You do have the right to have this decision in writing and you will have 21 days from the date of the letter to appeal their decision. The decision will then be reviewed by a senior officer. Unfortunately LHA is simply that- it's money for your rent, and people do not have the right to use it for other means so you may find your intentional decision stands. Your LHA dept will request you repay this so will be in touch, however they can set up affordable payment plans so don't worry too much about that.

However, you may still be eligible for the council's general waiting list, so depending on how high demand council housing is in your area, you MAY have this option. Also, look at registering with housing associations in the area, don't be choosy about where you'll live and get on as many housing lists as possible. Long term these rents are more affordable.

Some Local Authorities have a 'homeless prevention fund' which may be able to assist you with a deposit for moving into an alternative private tenancy, or assist you with funds to reduce you current arrears. They can also try to negotiate with your current landlord to recind the notice she has served- if they can assit you to pay the arrears and ensure LHA goes direct to her then she might be willing to enter an agreement with you. This will be in the Housing Advice/Homeless department. You need to have an appointment with an advisor there to discuss your options.

Remember that you can only be evicted from your property with a court order, so you have rights to remain in your property throughout the eviction process until you receive a date from court to leave and this process can take several months from a section 21 notice being served. Please make sure your LHA claim is active again and sorted, rather than stop paying any rent as you think you are leaving anyway. (I'm not saying you would do this btw!)

The homeless department are also 'housing advice' so return to their offices to look at your options, as they will be able to help you with realistic advice.

Welfare Rights and Debt Advice should have a service in your LA- much more helpful than CAB in my opinion so it's worth giving them a call.

If you want to let me know your Local Authority I could give you more info if I'm aware of them- some councils have brilliant housing departments.

Thank you Claire,

Your advise is so helpful, I'm in Brighton by the way,I'm not sure how they are...all I can say is I never knew my actions would get me in this dreadful situation I suffer from depression and am not thinking straight I am trying my best now, I have written a letter to LHA it has taken me since 5'o'clock this afternoon and I just finished it, but do you think it's best I hand it in once I have the court papers ?
I never did any of this intentionally, where should I seek help from first ?
I want to go to CAB tomorrow, or do you think it's better I just try for an appointment at the council ?
Sorry for all my questions, thanks Claire !

lisa.m_3

Thank you everyone for taking the time to help me I really appricate it!

SouthCoast

so depending on how high demand council housing is in your area,

Other posts indicate that it is the City of Brighton and Hove where the housing situation is desperate.