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

lynzpower

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.......

Heating a large house, whatever your income doesnt seem like a good way to spend your money.

The reason I suspect that the LHA is too low too is that you have a place too big for your needs? is that right?

I dont know if there is one in your area but its worth looking out for LETS ( local trading scheme) where people trade skills instead of money. You can put in whatever skills you have ( cake making,gardening) and others put in thiers ( a van for moving) This is a more long term idea though.

It might be a good idea to see if there is a housing or worker at your local Sure Start project? They often know of charities that can help for example charities that can help with DIY/ gardening along with helping form fill.

In the meanwhile, could you raise some cash by selling off items you don't want or need, if you are moving- or wanting to- now is the time, so sell on ebay/ carboot sale, small ads. Every penny counts right now and its amazing what you can make by selling off your treasures.

Definately speak to your local authority about deposit schemes. Will you get a deposit back when you move from this place? Is it just a transitional period?

I strongly advise you do not get a loan unless youve exhausted all these options suggested. Payday loans are a BAD idea and not the best plan for someone who wants to moneysave.
Hope this helps, good luck keep us posted x :A:)

starbella2004

Yes Missmontana, my ex knows exactly the situation I'm in financially and emotionally right now. Like I've said previously, I've helped him out over the years financially and emotionally, even after we split up. He's incredibly childish and selfish and although I know he adores his children, he'd rather keep hold of his £40k pay off than give any to me so that his children can keep the roof over their head and eat!!! Goodness, don't get me started as I'm still full of anger. I think you'll get the picture when I say he's been violent to me on a great many occasions and is very controlling.

Thank you SO much for the link. I'll take a look at that.

starbella2004

lynzpower wrote: »

Heating a large house, whatever your income doesnt seem like a good way to spend your money.

The reason I suspect that the LHA is too low too is that you have a place too big for your needs? is that right?

I dont know if there is one in your area but its worth looking out for LETS ( local trading scheme) where people trade skills instead of money. You can put in whatever skills you have ( cake making,gardening) and others put in thiers ( a van for moving) This is a more long term idea though.

It might be a good idea to see if there is a housing or worker at your local Sure Start project? They often know of charities that can help for example charities that can help with DIY/ gardening along with helping form fill.

In the meanwhile, could you raise some cash by selling off items you don't want or need, if you are moving- or wanting to- now is the time, so sell on ebay/ carboot sale, small ads. Every penny counts right now and its amazing what you can make by selling off your treasures.

Definately speak to your local authority about deposit schemes. Will you get a deposit back when you move from this place? Is it just a transitional period?

I strongly advise you do not get a loan unless youve exhausted all these options suggested. Payday loans are a BAD idea and not the best plan for someone who wants to moneysave.
Hope this helps, good luck keep us posted x :A:)

I don't heat my whole house anymore as it's madness as you say. I'm freezing cold when I'm working at home during the day but I keep a heater on in the living room for my son when he's not at nursery and just have the heating come on in the morning for my children's sake and in the evening. It's an old very badly insulated house with no double glazing. Beautiful but not practical! So yes, it is too big for my needs but we moved in as a family 6 years ago when my first child was 4 months old. My ex and I were both working and could afford the house. He moved out about 2 years ago and I've since been stuck, not knowing how to get out really as I've had no money to do so and such bad credit, I'm unable to get another tenancy. So I've struggled and hung on here hoping my work situation would improve. It's slowly improving as I've just got a part time job whilst my son is at nursery but only 6 hours a week so will hardly pay for the oil!! Yes, if I moved out I'd get at least most of the deposit back I would think. Although they're bound to try to fleece me for a good proportion of it!

Honestly, thank you so much for bothering to get in touch. I cannot believe the response I've had today - everyone has been amazing.

Js_Other_Half

Have you had a look on some of the other sub forums?I think the debt free one has a lot of help on it for you:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.html?f=76

Please take the time to look through some of the 'stickies'. There are a lot of people on that forum who've been through similar things to you.

I hope you manage to get a decent night's sleep.

xx

starbella2004

Thank you so much Js-other-half, I'll take a look. As for a good night's sleep, thank you. Takes me ages to get off to sleep then I can't get up in the morning!!!

Take care.

jdturk

johnwayne wrote: »

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.

Yeah soz, I missed the big pay out part completley, even on my previous post

Kimitatsu

Starbella - please DONT apply for a payday loan unless you absolutely have to (and I really mean absolutely!). Have you seen the interest rat es on them? I have seen so many people who have had debts spiral into huge amounts because of companies such as these.

Okay practical help - apply again for the discretionary housing payment or appeal the decision for refusal if you are still in time. They will ask the fair rent officer to come and look at your property and see what it is worth.

If they cant help, see if they do a rent deposit scheme to help you move, many councils now do so you could downsize to somewhere cheaper to rent and cheaper to heat. If your rooms are full of furniture - sell some of it! You need to find somwhere smaller and easier and you wont fit it in - what you get could help you move or could help you live day to day currently. When you get back on your feet then you can have fun replacing it

Get in contact with your local SureStart centre they will be able to help you with the housing appeal and also may be able to signpost you in the direction of more local help. Right now it seems a bit dark but trust me you will come out of the other side of it stonger. If you have debts then please go and see a debt adviser at the CAB or contact any of the agencies in my signature, they will help you make realistic payment plans so you will be able to afford to feed you little ones and heat your house.

Take care and keep posting - sometimes a bit of adult conversation helps

Jowo_2

Speak to Shelter about your situation - see if they have a local drop in office or contact them on their free helpline. While its the case that the local council will not generally assist those who they've deemed to have made themselves intentionally homeless (being served notice for not paying the rent, for example), they will clarify where you stand because of the children or if you can demonstrate that you could not pay the rent rather than would not.

starbella2004

Thank you so much for this Kimitatsu - and to Jowo. I continue to be astonished at how people care to take the time to post on here. I only posted my plea on here this morning and I've had so many lovely helpful responses plus I've met a lovely person, whom I have lots in common and we're now friends on Facebook. This is a fab website.

When I'm feeling stronger and have got myself and my family sorted out (please God) I'll be back here giving others words of wisdom having been through it myself.

Thank you.

Pigletto

Have you contacted your local Council yet? If not do so because they don't just deal with whether or not you are eligible for social housing they should also be able to help you from becoming homeless too.