Urgent housing help needed!

LisaB85

inspirespirit wrote: »

You need to go to Citizens Advice bureau. They will have details of charities that may help pay your deposit. I know where I live there is a charity that will help single people with deposits for rental accommodation. you will then be entitled to Housing Benefit yourself. Make sure it is paid directly to the Landlord so you aren't tempted to spend it.
No wonder your parents have been having nice days out - they have been getting £112 per week to pay their rent and obviously haven't paid a penny but been going out instead. What are their disabilities?
I would seriously concentrate on yourself and your own situation and let them deal with theirs. It's ridiculous of them to have allowed this to get this far when they have been getting money from the Government and from you.

Even if it means moving away. Seaside areas like Bournemouth have lots of hotels with live in staff. Just coming up to a Bank Holiday so might be worth getting on the internet and finding hotel numbers and ringing round for vacancies. Even if it is only until end of the season, it will give you breathing space to save and look for another job.

I currently live in a seaside town, I need something more stable seaside towns are bleak but if I got a room in town I could get a job in town then upgrade to the city but it is easier said than done. Found 2 rooms £55 pw including bills.

Anubis_2

Caz3121 wrote: »

I am surprised that their housing benefit was not being paid direct to the housing association once they started falling into arrears. You say you are recently unemployed, before then they would have lost housing benefit due to your income so it may be that this is the gap that has built up if your rent/digs was not being used towards the rent. Have they informed the housing benefit people you are no longer working?

I thought there was no non-dependant deductions if the parent was on DLA or does it have to be a certain amount?

For the OP, ring up immediately in the morning. Are any of your mum's disabilities liable to cause her to not be able to manage her affairs such as household bills etc adequately?

I would explain to them what you have here, but try not to bring your personal gripes with what has happened into the equation. Stick to the facts, let them know you have just found the letter etc and what can be done to avoid eviction.

LisaB85

UPDATE

I have looked at the statements and they are a bit of a mess but for what I can work out in Feb rent was

£114 a week
Every 4 weeks she received HB of £388.00
A short fall of £68

I was paying £70 and there are amounts of £60 payed into the account but this is not regular but the statement only goes back to Dec.

Would the arrears date back further?

I have also just checked 'Non dependent deductions' on the DWP website which indeed states A deduction will not be made from your HB if: you, or your partner, are receiving the care component of Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance in respect of yourself or your partner

My mum has received DLA from March 2011 so they have been underpaid since March which could go towards the arrears, I would have to speak to the council about this?

If I manage to starve off eviction I will no longer be paying non dependent deductions of £40 a month so will offer them £20 a month to clear arrears and will expect my mum to match that (I'm a bit peeved to pay all of it since I have been paying my share)

Do I keep this quiet and tell them it will be my mum paying £40 a month on her own?

I'm going to ask her for a budget of how much she has coming in and how much she has going out which will be hard because she won't co-operate as I am sure she is paying more to non priority debts than she should be, then she can contact CCCS and get them do a budget plan which I will send to her creditors.

I have recently been through this myself and have been shocked how understanding they have been, even my old bank accepted with no issues.

I will then aim to take charge of housing finances and will take the money off her each month and pay the housing arrears as a priority.

Does this sound like the right thing to do?

viktory

Yes, the arrears will certainly back further as they are nigh on £3k. Even with the potential underpayment it sounds to me like your parents have been under paying for some time. Is the HB going directly to the Housing Association? What you need to do is speak to the HA, get a statement going right back to when the arrears start to accrue and marry up all payments - HB and otherwise. This will show you where the arrears have come from. Then you need to find out exactly what the HA will accept to stop the eviction. There have clearly been agreements made previously by the courts that have been broken so I wouldn't be at all surprised if they ask for a lump sum payment and then a certain amount each month possibly paid by DD. Your parents will HAVE to get involved in this as they are tenants and it is their responsibility to pay the rent. Get your parents to write a full and frank SOA. Put all payments to non priority debts down to the bare minimum and start looking for stuff to sell so that you can throw money at the rent arrears. Laptops, mobile phones, jewellery, handbags, clothes etc, etc. If you don't absolutely NEED it them you need to sell it. The HA will be far more accommodating if you can give them a lump sum, ideally the £845 your parents should have paid off the arrears by now. Also contact Shelter as they may be able to advise.

Personally, I would be inclined to tell my parents that this is what they need to do. Then I would start looking for somewhere else to live. Really, your parents don't deserve to live in tax payer funded social housing if they can't even prioritise their pittance of a rent payment each month. There are hard working families that would be delighted to be able to pay such little rent and have such security of tenure.

LisaB85

viktory wrote: »

Personally, I would be inclined to tell my parents that this is what they need to do. Then I would start looking for somewhere else to live. Really, your parents don't deserve to live in tax payer funded social housing if they can't even prioritise their pittance of a rent payment each month. There are hard working families that would be delighted to be able to pay such little rent and have such security of tenure.

I am tempted, esp as I have found a nice sounding room in a great location for £55 a week and I will be a little better off as no transport costs will be looking at it; however I will be losing my cat who I have years and is like a child but will see if they will allow a pet BUT if I did that I know they would be homeless.

I think this all started 4 years ago my stepdad had an accident which wasn't his fault and still waiting on compo because it has caused disability, they had a 5k payment early but spent it on a TV etc so I will be getting them to call again and ask for 3k to pay the arrears off completely and accept whatever compo they are liable too now....the solicitors say it could be as much as £300,000 but I don't think it will be that much.

viktory

LisaB85 wrote: »

I am tempted, esp as I have found a nice sounding room in a great location for £55 a week and I will be a little better off as no transport costs will be looking at it; however I will be losing my cat who I have years and is like a child but will see if they will allow a pet BUT if I did that I know they would be homeless.

I think this all started 4 years ago my stepdad had an accident which wasn't his fault and still waiting on compo because it has caused disability, they had a 5k payment early but spent it on a TV etc so I will be getting them to call again and ask for 3k to pay the arrears off completely and accept whatever compo they are liable too now....the solicitors say it could be as much as £300,000 but I don't think it will be that much.

Jesus, that makes it even worse :eek: They have had money and have access to more and STILL can't be bothered to pay their rent. Do they understand the consequences of being evicted? Not intending to be rude, but do they have issues comprehending the situation? If they are evicted they will not be housed by the local council and will have to seek private rented accommodation.

Get on the phone to the HA today - as this has already been to court you really need to move fast. It might already be too late - especially as getting hold of this compensation money will take time. I don't think the HA will accept any more excuses or delaying tactics. Sounds like your family are down to weeks before eviction - not months.

LisaB85

viktory wrote: »

Jesus, that makes it even worse :eek: They have had money and have access to more and STILL can't be bothered to pay their rent. Do they understand the consequences of being evicted? Not intending to be rude, but do they have issues comprehending the situation? If they are evicted they will not be housed by the local council and will have to seek private rented accommodation.

Get on the phone to the HA today - as this has already been to court you really need to move fast.

They don't have access to the money yet as solicitors are still holding it to find out how much they will get, not sure if they could phone and accept whatever amount it stands are now?

Private rented won't accept them I don't think either and I have told my mum this.

So I have a list of things to do -

Phone HA
Phone HB regarding non dependent deductions and DLA
Budget with CCCS for other debts
Phone solicitors to get a payment

viktory

LisaB85 wrote: »

They don't have access to the money yet as solicitors are still holding it to find out how much they will get, not sure if they could phone and accept whatever amount it stands are now?

Private rented won't accept them I don't think either and I have told my mum this.

So I have a list of things to do -

Phone HA
Phone HB regarding non dependent deductions and DLA
Budget with CCCS for other debts
Phone solicitors to get a payment

But they have already had £5k of the money and didn't use it to pay their arrears. One other thing you need to add to your list - start packing! Seriously, it could be too late. Make the HA your first port of call and be prepared to hear the worst.

Incidentally, if the HA do successfully evict then your parents will have no choice but to go into private rented accommodation. The council won't rehome them.

Let us know how you get on and good luck.

LisaB85

Will private take them if they have been evicted for non payment of rent?
I've an inkling they would try move in with my stepdads father who rents a place from someone he knows because that is them all over, take people for granted. I could move in with my Nan for a short while if need be but it isn't ideal and not fair on them.

Have requested pics for that room in a house, I don't want to be too fussy but I am not comfortable with the idea of sharing but needs must.

viktory

LisaB85 wrote: »

Will private take them if they have been evicted for non payment of rent?

It wouldn't be easy finding somewhere, but I imagine they would.

Hopefully it won't come to that, you sound like you have a good plan of action and if anyone can get it sorted you will Your parents are very lucky to have you!