Council move, not entitled to HB and running up huge debts!

Aarons_mummy

Is it furnished? That's what cost over £200 a month for the use of the furniture provided when I was in there (it was broken, dirty, rips in the carpets and couches etc etc) not far from where you are now.

Is the furniture of a reasonable standard? I had a LOT of problems with the things in the house I never complained or anything though as I was leaving anyway. What did the MP say? Did he give you any advice at all? Why can you not move back into a 2 bed private rent? It'd be much cheaper especailly as you don't know how long you are in there. I was in my temp acc flat for almost 9months with the highest priority points as well as being highest priority with local housing associations and still nothing at all. The person prior to me in the flat had waited 2 years before being placed, at that level of rent after 2 years you are going to be in serious debt.

It might seem like the best idea to stay where you are and get a council property eventually but the reality is you'd be better going into a private let and saving yourself from getting into huge amounts of debt.

Jowo_2

£2674, actually.

Spending 36% of your net income on rent which is around 3 times greater than you usually pay is obviously a complete shock to you, but mainly aggravated by your storage/pet costs which brings your disposal net monthly income down to £1210 per month. This is still 'healthy' (note the apostraphes) compared to some households as it leaves around £300 per week after your highest costs are taken into account.

But I don't think this is a cost of living shocker to many people living in rental accommodation in high cost areas of the UK, just perhaps to those used to living in social housing in low cost areas of the UK. Not that this helps you.

To me, it sounds like Shelter advice is your best bet, plus a visit to the Debt Free wanabee board to manage your debts and have them review your statement of affairs (SOA) plus a visit to the Old style boards to learn how to really attack your expenses and live more frugally because of the big dent to your income (sudden and unpredicted loss of half of your disposable income).

My maths is rotten so I could be wrong but is there any major reason why the 4 of you can't live on £300 per week? Such as other debts or large outgoings that aren't detailed in your previous posts? I'm not dismissing your circumstances - anyone suddenly losing half their money is going to find it catastrophic.

Download the MSE budget planner to help you identify where your money is disappearing. It will help you identify where you can make savings as it looks like you are not entitled to anymore income.

AimeesMum_2

Hmmm probably not. I guess it's just unfair that we have went from being really well off to having to count the pennies because of some alcoholic idiot down the stairs. He's not lost his house or has to travel an hour and a half to work. My daughter has lost many of her possessions and I'm just so down about it all Just seems really unfair. xxx

Jowo_2

It's definately unfair - you've been driven out of your home. Perhaps Shelter can assist you with getting into a conventionally priced social housing property and this will stop the clock on the drain to your finances.

Gandalfthegrey

Do you know how long you will be in temp accomodation before a perm council house comes up? I dont know if im correct but I thought because you have dependants especially a newborn the max time was only 6 weeks (like I said, this needs to be checked - try CAB or Shelter website)

Although looking at the figures you've given you are still better off than us and most who rent privately, if its only going to be 6 weeks just wait it out, once you go back to paying peanuts in council rent you can pay off any debts or overdraft you aquired whilst in temp accommodation.

Good luck, I do agree with you that the person who harrassed you should have been made to move, and not you.

paddedjohn

aimeesmum wrote: »

hmmm probably not. i guess it's just unfair that we have went from being really well off to having to count the pennies because of some alcoholic idiot down the stairs. He's not lost his house or has to travel an hour and a half to work. My daughter has lost many of her possessions and i'm just so down about it all just seems really unfair. Xxx

im not trying to sound harsh and i know this predicament is probably not your fault but,as you are so well off, cant you leave the social housing for someone who cant afford the private rents?

Aarons_mummy

Gandalfthegrey wrote: »

Do you know how long you will be in temp accomodation before a perm council house comes up? I dont know if im correct but I thought because you have dependants especially a newborn the max time was only 6 weeks (like I said, this needs to be checked - try CAB or Shelter website)

Although looking at the figures you've given you are still better off than us and most who rent privately, if its only going to be 6 weeks just wait it out, once you go back to paying peanuts in council rent you can pay off any debts or overdraft you aquired whilst in temp accommodation.

Good luck, I do agree with you that the person who harrassed you should have been made to move, and not you.

There is a target of around 6-8weeks I believe but as I said in Scotland not far from the OP I was almost 9months, lone parent in temp accommodation because of the shortage of houses and the massive amount of people applying they're not able to achieve this in the timeframe.

The shelter website just says that you can remain in temp accommodation until a suitable offer is made.

tcr_3

paddedjohn wrote: »

im not trying to sound harsh and i know this predicament is probably not your fault but,as you are so well off, cant you leave the social housing for someone who cant afford the private rents?

I can understand that anywhere apart from Scotland, where there's a greater "tradition" of working people living in social housing. In fact, it's positively encouraged by the powers that be, helps to prevent social housing turning into poverty ghettos & is much better for the communities in general.

My parents & grandparents all worked. But they adored their council houses too, they were absolute palaces. And it was the same with all the neighbours, they had a real sense of pride in their homes. And they must've paid off the house several times over with the rent they were paying, in my Grandparent's case they were paying rent on the same house from just after the War until the mid 1990's.

Don't be too hard to judge. Scotland's just that little bit different ... it's the way it should be, tbh, instead of having scumbag buy to let owners who charge a kings ransom & who'd terminate your lease & kick you out after only 2 months notice.

Rikki

Does your rent include gas, electric, council tax and water rates? This would make the monthly figure more reasonable.

Jowo_2

tcr wrote: »

Don't be too hard to judge. Scotland's just that little bit different ... it's the way it should be, tbh, instead of having scumbag buy to let owners who charge a kings ransom & who'd terminate your lease & kick you out after only 2 months notice.

I'd say Scotland has a more socialist bent but isn't the allocation of social housing based on UK wide principles which prioritises need, it's needs based? Or has there been a change?

I know there are differences in housing law but wasn't aware of any specific differences when it comes to a local councils statutory homelessness obligations?

I'm not saying there isn't a difference, just that I am ignorant about it.