On Local Rent Allowance - can't afford house and can't afford to move!! HELP PLEASE!

starbella2004

Hi. I do hope someone can help me please as I've been struggling now for about two years. My ex partner and I moved into my current house when we were both employed and had one baby (who's now at primary school 0900-1500 every day). We had another baby (who's at nursery 2.5 hours a day) and sadly split up about two years ago. I used to have money/savings - now paying for everything has drained me. I live in a private rented house which costs £1375 a month - with oil heating which is extortionate! I set up 2 small businesses in 2007 which were doing great but have crashed in the recession! I (much to my distress) am currently having to claim Housing Benefit (which I think is actually Local Rent Allowance) which covers half the cost of the rent plus I'm getting working and child tax credits. I was getting maintenance from my children's father but he's now lost his job too! I cannot afford to pay my rent this month - nor the £300 I should pay for the arrears - I certainly cannot afford utilities or oil and can barely afford to buy food. I don't eat myself, just pick at whatever I do for the children.

My predicament is I have no money to move (deposit/removal costs etc) plus I wouldn't get another tenancy agreement now as my credit is blown to pieces. (Forgot to mention, I have lots of debts that are way down my priority list and haven't been paid for about a year!)

I have just got a little part time job I can do from home when my son is at nursery (2.5 hours a day) but other than that I'm struggling big time. I am permanently stressed and incredibly anxious about what on earth is going to happen. I have very little family - a brother overseas and an auntie who has only her pension!

I literally cannot see the wood for the trees here and I so need someone's help please. Thank you.

johnwayne

Sorry to hear about your predicament.

You could try looking in the local paper for a place to rent. The landlords who deal with their own lettings as opposed to an estate agent may be more sympathetic if you explain why you have arrears, etc. As long as you would have the money to pay their rent.

You could also try the council as in some cases they are able to pay deposits. I believe that they only do this if you have to move (for example your tenancy ended), could your landlord write to them and say that they want you out?

As for the removal costs could you save enough to rent a van to do the removal yourself? Is there anyone that could look after your children whilst you moved? Is there any chance that their father could help you in any way with the moving?

You could try your local freecycle group for boxes & could start to pack up all of your possessions which you dont need regularly which would help with the moving

Good luck

starbella2004

Thank you so much. I just can't afford to save anything for a van to move to be honest as I struggle to get enough money to even buy food for the kids. My ex partner wouldn't help with anything. He's just lost his job and has a nice big pay off but has said he can't afford to pay any maintenance now as he is out of work. So to add insult to injury I'm now £500 a month down as well! Freecycle's a great idea for boxes - thank you. Just need to work out everything else. Life shouldn't be so awful - it doesn't seem fair.

starbella2004

Thank you too - I did apply for the discretionary allowance and it was turned down as the difference between the allowance I get and my actual rent was too large!

As for payday loans - don't you have to be fully employed with those? I'll def look into the DRO's or whatever that is, thank you.

As for my deposit on this house, it of course won't be released until I've moved out and they've taken whatever they will do for any so say 'repairs' etc!!

Thank you SO much for your replies - I didn't think anyone would reply so I'm incredibly grateful!

johnwayne

Are you on the council's waiting list for housing?

I know that the likelyhood of getting a house is negligible but it is worth a try. Also if your landlord does end your tenancy you might be higher up on the housing list.
Please check with the council first though. Ask them if you can be put on the housing list & ask them what would happen if your current tenancy were to come to an end as you cannot afford to pay the rent.

Have you got any friends which would be willing to help with the move? If you do then you could ask them if they know of anyone with a van they could borrow.

Men like you ex-partner make me mad!!!!

Perhaps you would be able to get a budgeting loan, the details of which can be found on this link: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DG_4017534

Try the council and let us know how you get on.

starbella2004

Thank you again JW. I'm not on the council's waiting list and that's mainly down to my pride! I realise pride shouldn't get in the way of the reality and enormity of my awful current situation though and I will ring them today.

I am very lucky and have some wonderful friends who would help with a move - I don't know if anyone knows of a man with a large van but I will find out. Good thinking.

Thanks so much for all your advice - it's comforting to know there are lovely people out there who are kind enough to help. And yes - my ex-partner makes me very mad too! And I guess that's why we're thankfully no longer together.

Thank you.

johnwayne

Just another thought, has anyone you know got a people carrier?

When we moved we didnt hire a van we just used our people carrier! We took out the seats & used it as a van. We have also helped someone we know to move a sofa & beds in it by lieing the seats flat.

Admittedly it took a lot more trips but it was amazing what you could fit into it! It was worth it for us though as we had used up most of our money paying the deposit & first months rent, the rest of it had to go on oil.

starbella2004

Hi JW - I do as it happens. But I currently have a 4 bed house stuffed full with furniture in each room! I think I would need a bigger van - even if I did get rid of stuff we don't need. It's worth remembering though for all the boxes of glasses/kitchen stuff/toys etc. Thank you.

I just checked on DRO's and you have to have under 15k debt. Very sadly I have more than that!! What a mess.......

emsywoo123

starbella2004 wrote: »

Hi JW - I do as it happens. But I currently have a 4 bed house stuffed full with furniture in each room! I think I would need a bigger van - even if I did get rid of stuff we don't need. It's worth remembering though for all the boxes of glasses/kitchen stuff/toys etc. Thank you.

I just checked on DRO's and you have to have under 15k debt. Very sadly I have more than that!! What a mess.......

I know that these points are not ideal but you (as are many other, historically myself included) seem to be in a desperate situ........

• A house full of stuff? Sell as much as you can.
• If you are in arrears with your LL, get him to kick you out. Once homeless, council have to help you

jdturk

johnwayne wrote: »

Men like you ex-partner make me mad!!!!

Why? He was paying maintenance and lost his job so expecting maintenance from no income is a fantasy

starbella2004

I wouldn't expect maintenance if he didn't have an income but I know his old boss gave him a very nice £40,000 pay off as he wanted him out! And he can't even use a little of that to help with his children's daily life!!