Can't afford rent anymore - help!

Kittenface_3

Hi I'm a newbie and just posted my life story on the wannabies board but now I need specific help with my accommodation issues.

We currently rent via an estate agent and we can no longer afford the £450 pcm rent (i know it may not sound a lot to folks from down south but this is in the grim north!). Our contract is renewed every 6months and is next up for renewal at the end of Jan.

What I need to know is will our contract, which I can't find, have something to say we can give a months notice at anytime or will we need to wait till Jan to leave.

I have found a private landlord who rents out much smaller and more affordable accommodation without estate agency fees and it would really take the pressure off if I was paying less rent.

kit

I should imagine you will not be able to leave until the end of your contract. Check with the agent, but I really think you will be tied in.

Hand in notice now, say that you would like to move sooner if they can find a new tenant quickly. Make sure they agree that you can stop the tenancy if a new tenant is found otherwise you could end up paying till end of january anyway.

rosysparkle

You will be bound by the terms of your agreement until the end of January, but you can ask the agency to get your landlord's consent for them to advertise now, and when a new tenant is found you should be able to move. The agency doesn't have to advertise, your landlord doesn't have to agree to early termination, but it's worth asking.

Will you be able to afford to pay a deposit on the new place before you have your deposit returned from your current tenancy?

Kittenface_3

Thanx! inlaws are prepared to lend us deposit for new place and then repay when we get deposit back. Not sure wot to do if it gets to Really REALLY not being able to pay - wot can they do to us other than kick us out?

msw_2

hi,
Do you know what type of tenancy agreement you have? Is it an assured tenancy?

silvercar

can't you claim housing benefit?

Kittenface_3

Cant find the tenancy agreement. GGRRRR will have a good route around for it tonight.

Apparently we're not entitled to ANY benefits because Im in full time work, because OH was a student last year and because we dont have kids

Poppycat

Hi cant offer any advice of whats been said, but I do wish you the best of luck

lynzpower

I think you might be entitled to HB and CTB, I did see your thread on DFW.

Apply, even if its just a contribution its better than nothing

YOur OH being a student last year means nothing, hes unemployed/ temp emplyed NOW and you cannot afford rent. So do apply just in case

Kittenface_3

lynzpower wrote:

I think you might be entitled to HB and CTB, I did see your thread on DFW.

Apply, even if its just a contribution its better than nothing

YOur OH being a student last year means nothing, hes unemployed/ temp emplyed NOW and you cannot afford rent. So do apply just in case

Thanx Jobcentre said something about a lack of NI contributions to justify not being eligible for benefits? but will give it another go

roger56

From what you say, you would be tied in with a 6 month assured tenancy.

In the future, when starting a rental you would most likely have to take a 6 month assured tenancy, but after that you can continue renting as a periodic tenancy ie not tying yourself to 6 month blocks.
This then means you can give the landlord a minimum one months notice ending on the day of the month the rent is due.
However, the landlord can also end the tenancy, but has to give two months notice.
Another benefit for the tenant is that you don't have to pay agents renewal fees, as the original contract terms continue on a rolling monthly basis.

The periodic tenancy is mentioned here:
http://england.shelter.org.uk/advice/advice-271.cfm#wipLive-3859-2

Do take care with a private landlord, you still should make sure you have some form of contract and that it is fair. Make sure you have at least a rent book.
Check your rights here by downloading the Unfair Tenancy Terms Booklet

http://www.oft.gov.uk/Consumer/Unfair+terms+in+contracts/guidance.htm