Disabled and can't find a house to rent!

Scottie7275_2

Hi all

First time poster looking for some help and advice!

My partner is disabled and has been medically retired for 2 and a half years. After 6 months of trying to look after her, our autistic 10 year old daughter and our now 3 year son, I decided to give up work to be a full time carer (the pressure of my job as well as being a carer proved too much and I started to suffer from anxiety and depression).

We have lived in our current rented property for just over 2 years and we are having major problems getting our landlord to do any remedial work (we have leaking ceilings causing mould, leaking and broken gutters among other things). AFter trying to get this work done for the last 18 months (we have contacted our local council who have done what they can) we have decided it is time to move on.

Herein lies the problem. Being on benefits we get tarred with the same brush as those people who never have any intention of working by choice (you know the kind of people I am talking about)! Every where we go it is either a case of a straight no (regardless of our situation) or we could get the property with a guarantor. Unfortunately all of our parents are retired and we have no-one else that we are close to that we can ask.

I have scoured the internet to see if there is any other way round this but have come up blank.

Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas? We are so frustrated because we have been renting for the last 5 years, have never missed a payment and always look after the properties. We are good, genuine people but people can't see past the fact you are on benefits!

TIA

Scott

silvercar

Your council may have a bond scheme, they may also have homes and would give you a priority if you can't find private yourself.

With no guarantor it is more difficult.

Are you able to pay a deposit? Can you pay your rent monthly in advance? Most benefit is paid in arrears, if you are expecting to sign an AST with a new landlord they will want you to honour the terms of the AST, this means rent monthly in advance not 4 weekly in arrears with your benefit money. If you can do this, you may find it easier to find a landlord privately.

Scottie7275_2

Thanks for the reply.

We are in a position to pay a deposit (a months rent) and can pay our rent in advance (we have been doing this for the last five years).

The only sticking point is the guarantor.

Jowo_2

Here is a thread which helps to explain the reluctance of many landlords to let to LHA claimants that may offer some tips.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2721175

Have you applied for social housing? Of course, there are usually huge waiting lists for council and housing association properties but they do award extra points or higher priority to the disabled.

Can you offer 6 months rent upfront?

millym

I do sympathise, as we are in a very similar situation. We are very happy where we live just now, but if we need to move, no longer have a guarantor, as they recently retired.

You could try private landlords who don't use letting agents, as they are likely to be less strict. Or, I've heard that if you can pay several months in advance that this might be an acceptable alternative to a guarantor.

You could also offer to provide bank statements for the past year or more, showing up to date payment of rent and other bills. Would your current LL be willing to give you a good reference? That always helps. Also, if a property has been empty for a long period of time, the LL may be more willing to accept you.

It took me 6 months to find a suitable property for my disability, so make sure you find one that meets all your needs, rather than taking something just because the LL will accept you.

It really is a shame the way all benefit claimants get tarred with the same brush. Good luck!

tbs624

Jowo wrote: »

Have you applied for social housing? Of course, there are usually huge waiting lists for council and housing association properties but they do award extra points or higher priority to the disabled.

Useful point but the phrase "the disabled" is generally best avoided - "people with disabilities"

Jowo_2

tbs624 wrote: »

Useful point but the phrase "the disabled" is generally best avoided - "people with disabilities"

OP, please note - your partner is not disabled as you have indicated but has a disability.

System

You can't beat the mangling of the English language to appease the PC brigade!

PasturesNew

It's a secret society of "in phrases" that only "they" know, whoever "they" are as they club together secretly.

They're making up secret rules together, secretly, so they can pick on Joe Public for not knowing their secret PC ways and phrases that they just made up.

tbs624

!!!!!! wrote: »

You can't beat the mangling of the English language to appease the PC brigade!

slapping an adjective after the word "the" is where the mangling lies !!!!!!;)

poppysarah

Contact council. Ask about re-housing and sorting out the current property (They should have a private landlord section to ask the landlord to do basic repairs)