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

johnwayne

starbella2004 wrote: »

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.

This is why I said that men like her ex make me mad!

I would never have said that if the OP hadnt stated in her reply that he had a big pay off. If you notice I had asked if there was anyway which he could help her, meaning with moving or the kids.

starbella2004

I am absolutely overwhelmed at the response I've had from everyone who's responded. I'm SO grateful. Sometimes when you're so low and stuck right in the middle of a complete mess it's difficult to see a way out. All your suggestions are getting me thinking a little more clearly. Sub-letting has crossed my mind but like you say Miss Montana it's tricky with my two children and it's against my tenancy agreement and also of course my benefit claim too. Sadly, I don't have anyone who can be a guarantor Delain - great suggestion though. I'll think on about that one but problem is I have virtually no family - one brother who's overseas and they don't accept people who aren't in the UK as guarantors! I remember I tried that one a couple of years ago. I've checked with the CSA re my ex-partner's pay off and they say they only consider any salaries. I suppose I could speak to a solicitor but we never got married so I don't suppose that will work which is annoying as when I had money I supported him on many occasion by paying some of his debts, the whole rent and bills etc etc. Now the tables have turned he's got very protective of his £40,000 payoff! As you can probably tell, things are not great between us which is why I know he wouldn't have the kids more to let me work more. He's incredibly unreliable. Great idea Jdturk to scour the classified ads for private landlords. I've found a great site called: 'letmatch' which actually states whether or not the landlord would accept DSS cases! I've also tried local papers but need to work harder on looking for classified ads. Thank you.

Thank you ALL for this - I feel utterly boosted this afternoon after reading all your responses.

emsywoo123

starbella2004 wrote: »

I am absolutely overwhelmed at the response I've had from everyone who's responded. I'm SO grateful. Sometimes when you're so low and stuck right in the middle of a complete mess it's difficult to see a way out. All your suggestions are getting me thinking a little more clearly. Sub-letting has crossed my mind but like you say Miss Montana it's tricky with my two children and it's against my tenancy agreement and also of course my benefit claim too. Sadly, I don't have anyone who can be a guarantor Delain - great suggestion though. I'll think on about that one but problem is I have virtually no family - one brother who's overseas and they don't accept people who aren't in the UK as guarantors! I remember I tried that one a couple of years ago. I've checked with the CSA re my ex-partner's pay off and they say they only consider any salaries. I suppose I could speak to a solicitor but we never got married so I don't suppose that will work which is annoying as when I had money I supported him on many occasion by paying some of his debts, the whole rent and bills etc etc. Now the tables have turned he's got very protective of his £40,000 payoff! As you can probably tell, things are not great between us which is why I know he wouldn't have the kids more to let me work more. He's incredibly unreliable. Great idea Jdturk to scour the classified ads for private landlords. I've found a great site called: 'letmatch' which actually states whether or not the landlord would accept DSS cases! I've also tried local papers but need to work harder on looking for classified ads. Thank you.

Thank you ALL for this - I feel utterly boosted this afternoon after reading all your responses.

Keep posting Op as people will help you through this

starbella2004

I know this is probably the wrong thing to do, but I'm going to try for a payday loan tomorrow. The people who manage the property for me are having a meeting next week with the landlords and said they need to show I'm making my regular rent payments of £1375 (plus arrears payments of an additional £300 a month!!) otherwise they will begin proceedings to .... (I don't know what to be honest). But I guess it means they'll try to get me out. I can't bear the thought of this so at least the payday loan will enable me to pay the rent tomorrow and worry about this months arrears payments after that. Means I'll have no money for any bills or food thanks to my ex-partner not paying anything for his children!! But I'll face next week when it comes!! My head is spinning with what to do for the best each and every minute of the day! Is anyone else having such a nightmare and such a !!!! life???

DaisyFlower

Can you look for more work rather than just two hours? Tax credits would help with childcare costs and you would then get WTC as well.

More choice of properties if you did move if you are working.

starbella2004

God, I'm sorry for that last comment - that was incredibly self indulgent. Of course there are people having a much worse time than I am. At least, thank God, myself and my children have good health.

delain

starbella2004 wrote: »

I know this is probably the wrong thing to do, but I'm going to try for a payday loan tomorrow. The people who manage the property for me are having a meeting next week with the landlords and said they need to show I'm making my regular rent payments of £1375 (plus arrears payments of an additional £300 a month!!) otherwise they will begin proceedings to .... (I don't know what to be honest). But I guess it means they'll try to get me out. I can't bear the thought of this so at least the payday loan will enable me to pay the rent tomorrow and worry about this months arrears payments after that. Means I'll have no money for any bills or food thanks to my ex-partner not paying anything for his children!! But I'll face next week when it comes!! My head is spinning with what to do for the best each and every minute of the day! Is anyone else having such a nightmare and such a !!!! life???

Please do not do this :eek::eek::eek::eek:

starbella2004

Thank you for this. Well, the little job I've just got is 6 hours a week working from home which means I don't have to get more childcare for my son. He does 2.5 hours a day at nursery and my daughter is at primary school from 9-3 every day. I'm caught in the dreaded benefit trap where if I worked full time, my benefits would of course be cut, my childcare costs would rocket and I wouldn't see my children. Which is why I'm trying to make my little businesses work plus this new little job - I'm hoping will allow me to make ends meet - albeit a little anyway! Just can't see the wood for the trees though as I may have completely the wrong idea here!!

missmontana

Does your ex actually have any idea of what situation you are in?

If there is going to be a meeting, why don't you just lay your cards on the table, explain to them what's happened and they might be able to help. They're only human after all.

If they do serve a notice of eviction, then you can take it straight to the council and get the ball rolling with them.

Have a look on here and see if it may be of help.
http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/housing/default.aspx

daska

starbella2004 wrote: »

I'll def approach the council re the deposit though saying I would pay it back as soon as this house had been finalised by the agents. Thank you for your help.

Don't whatever you do leave the property unless you have somewhere to live or are actually evicted as you will be intentionally homeless. Financially it may not seem sound advice as you will then be liable for the legal costs incurred by the LL etc. but there have been instances of mothers being offered 'foster care' for their children while they sofa-surf.