Housing Support

caeler

I'm posting on behalf of my sister as I'm desperate to try and offer her some support and guidance.

She has just been told that she and her partner need to leave their lodgings on 24 January 2011. They rent a room in the landlords house and I appreciate they are lucky to get decent notice like this.

So they have been looking for lodgings/flat rental/house share (anything) but with no luck. The few things that looked possible are far outside their financial reach. They both earn around £6ph, my sister has 15 hours a week and her partner 40 hours a week. My sister has tried to get more hours or a transfer to another store but apparently nothing is available. After a long period of unemployment she's doing really well and I'd hate for her to give up the job because she doesn't have a home (vicious circle) She has also tried to get a second job but there is nothing coming up. The odd room has come up but they don't want couples and my sister can't afford anything on her own (unless she up's her hours but there are none available or any other jobs around).

She is so worried they'll be homeless soon.

I've suggested she keeps scouring the local papers and adverts in the post office, etc looking for lodgings and hope that somebody will take a couple. She is continuing her search for a job with more hours but she is doing so well at her current store (is studying for promotion).

What else can I tell her to do? Any ideas?

Jowo_2

Get her to check the 1 bedroom rate for the local area on the LHA direct website which will indicate the LHA maximum payable, and then input their wages into the Turn2us online benefit calculator to see if they are due any LHA or other benefits like tax credits.

Their annual combined gross income is around 14k per year and their net weekly income after tax will be about £290 per week, approx £1250 per month. What is the typical cost of a studio or 1 bed flat in the area?

dazzadub

as they are being asked to move out they would fall into the bond scheme with the council.

they pay towards private renting and will cover any deposit and first months resnt etc

or go into council and they will put them on choices list and put them in high band and will have good chance of getting somewhere.

fluffymovie

Dazzadub, at my council this case wouldn't really come in for rent deposit scheme and in any case, the budget for 10/11 is already spent.

Jowo_2

dazzadub wrote: »

as they are being asked to move out they would fall into the bond scheme with the council.

they pay towards private renting and will cover any deposit and first months resnt etc

The OPs sister should check the criteria to see if she fulfills it, in case it is based on low income as a pre-requisite, not just housing need.

dazzadub wrote: »

...
or go into council and they will put them on choices list and put them in high band and will have good chance of getting somewhere.

Generally, and the OPs sister can read up on this on the Shelter website, a person isn't treated as homeless by the local council unless they have nowhere to live in the next 28 days, therefore may not yet perhaps be considered a priority case as they've 2 months notice on their current place.

Also, not every council runs choiced based lettings and in many areas, a couple without dependents or disabilities, stand little chance of securing social housing since there is high demand and low supply. Instead, they may be advised how to find a private sector rental.

I'm not saying the OPs sister shouldn't look into it and prepare for the worst but I don't know many councils who offer social housing to healthy working couples months ahead of leaving their current property.

caeler

Thank you all for this helpful guidance. I'm going to suggest she looks at the turn2us website to see what she might be entitled to, she is 21. I think this is a good start but keeping her search for more hours is a good thing too. Thankfully she has got decent notice not sure what they would do if they didn't. Thanks again.

Supernatural

If the worst comes to the worst could either set of parents take them in on a temporary basis? It'd be better than a cardboard box that's for sure.

Indie_Kid

Have they signed up to websites like rightmove ? You can select an option to be sent emails about suitable housing in your area.

caeler

Fantastic news, she's been offered 26 hours permanent!! So pleased for her.

Supernatural wrote: »

If the worst comes to the worst could either set of parents take them in on a temporary basis? It'd be better than a cardboard box that's for sure.

His live in Europe, ours miles away and I'm miles away too. They have friends who can put them up temporarily (ie. Sofa bed for a few nights).

sh1305 wrote: »

Have they signed up to websites like rightmove ? You can select an option to be sent emails about suitable housing in your area.

Good idea, will do.