Any Advice, temp/job & home cant cope

alis74

Hi

I just need a rant and want to get things down, I am also wondering if anyone has felt as hopeless as me.

Everything in my life is temporary, a temporary job and a temporary house (private rental)

I work full-time with an agency I am trying so hard with interviews on a weekly basis and can't get permanent work, I am working for a minimum wage. I live with my 13 year old dd in private rental and I am struggling so hard to pay this, support my dd.

The house I am living in is a dump. I rented it, in June and my landlord told me the house would be freshly painted, garden fixed and a heating system put in. I have emails and texts to back this up. Same old story regarding landlords she has done nothing. I am devastated and just don't know how to get out of the place (I didn't sign the contract though, she just took her money and gave me a blank one)

This morning was awful for me, I keep the place as spotless as I can and I found a great big slug on the wall. I just stood and cried it is my last straw. The place is also damp and I just can't afford to heat it (it is oil) for the winter. I am not entitled to any housing benefit.

I also do not have a deposit to pay for another home and I just feel like telling her when she is looking for her money that I have lost my job, and just give someone else her rent as a deposit iykswim.

My husband (still married, I can't afford legal fees and I dont get legal aid) stopped paying maintenance 6 years ago, the CSA can't find him. Recently they got a liability order on him but I am not holding my breath as they can't find him yet again.

The CSA called me last week to tell me that I still own a house (jointly) I asked them can they do anything but they told me to contact a solicitor to force a sale if I want. (by the way I left the marital home with my dd, and husbands family told me that house was nothing to do with me due to the fact that husband pays mortgage)

I feel crap as I went to see a solicitor to be told they can do so much - just found out today not entitled to legal aid.

I just don't know where to turn, or what to do anymore. I have no money, friends or family

ps I applied 5 years ago for a housing executive house and I am not a priority

Sorry for the rant

alis74

anyone out there

lrb_2

Hiya,

I'm sorry things are bad at the moment, but I am sure you've gone through harder times and made it through, so keep positive

What your landlord is doing its not right. Landlords have the duty to keep the tenants deposit in a protection scheme and provide good living conditions otherwise they can not rent the property. Talk to her about the issues you are having in your home. If she doesn't sort them out you can always go to your council and they will inspect the property and make her fix the problems. Your council should have a website where you can check this out. ( I can't post any links)

Lx

meritaten

I am a bit confused - you left your marital home with your daughter and are working for minimum wage and living in rented accomodation? I assume you have no savings? so why arent you entitled to legal aid? You say you jointly owned the marital home? but you arent living in it or benefiting from it?
I wouldnt take any notice of your in-laws - they arent your friends and even if they were lawyers I wouldnt believe them!
try the citizens advice hun - its free. also contact Shelter about your living conditions and the way your landlady conducts business.
It cannot get worse hun - but fight back and it will get better!

make_me_wise

lrb has given great advice regarding your rental property. It must be very demoralising when you are working so hard hun to provide a nice home and life for yourself and child and coming up against it all the time.

Something you said in your post made me think, 'everything is temporary'. Whenever I had a problem or worry my dad would say to me 'darling nothing is permanent, life is all about phases and this time will pass'. Has helped me through many a hard time I can tell you.

You come across as someone who is really astute and diligent. You will get a permanent job soon hun. One way or another you will make your landlord provide decent living conditions for you. Go and speak with CAB. I have always found them to be superb. I hope life picks up for you soon.

*max*

I don't have any practical advice to offer - there are many people on here who will though, and will be very helpful.

I just want to say: take a big breath. Sit down, and just breathe.
You are obviously overwhelmed at the moment, and that slug was your last straw.
Let's take it from the start. 1/ you and your daughter have a home. Ok, it's crap and not what you would want it to be, but you are not homeless. It's a while till you have to worry about heating yet. You'll have found a solution by then, be it repairs, or be it a new place.

2/ You have a full time job. Ok, it may be temporary by name, but have you had any inklings that it may end anytime soon? I once had a "temp" job that lasted 2 years, and only ended because I left.

3/ You have your daughter. She is living with you, and feeling your pain. You have to be strong for her.

You WILL get a lot of great advice on here, so don't despair. I know you are at the end of your tether, but just hang on in there. It will get better.

lynzpower

If the property is damp and cold you must put all your concerns in writing to your landlord. If they cant be bothered to sort it out, call your councils Environmental health team. They will make your landlord sort it out.

Do your in-laws not know where their own son is? I find it amazing that any grandparent can stand by watching the granddaughter struggle. but nothing surprises me these days. Definately, get that house sold!! I echo the others who say to take legal advice.

Welcome to MSE, you will get lots of support here xx

Gigglepig

Suggestions:

1) like others have said, get legal aid to pursue sale of the house. OR - might it be possible that you live in the former matrimonial home until your daughter turns 18? If you do not qualify for legal aid, check if you can get a free 30 min consultation with a solicitor in your area and/or see if you can get legal advice from students at the local law school (uni). Perhaps someone knows a housing charity that can help you also.
2) put pressure on the landlord to fix the house - call her up and tell her what a difficult situation you are in and to please arrange the repairs asap. Also go the formal routes - call the council and/or get advice from cab perhaps
3) if your long term goal is to buy your own place, set up a savings account. Even if you can only put away a small amount each month, it is nice to see it grow.
4)If it bothers you that you are a temp, speak to someone at work about possibilities for a permanent position. Don't give up, although jobs are hard to come by at the moment there may be opportunities for you later on. Perhaps you can get some training through work, or take a part time class to improve skills/help your job prospects. (It may be possible to get a grant towards fees if you are on a low income).
5) Are you sure that you have no friends or family? Some times we do not realise that there are nice people out there who are happy to help :-) If you feel lonely, then start networking in your town (volunteer, take up a new hobby?)

Hope things get better soon :-)

January20

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3422165

To give a bit of background, I am 99% sure the link above leads to a thread from the same poster. Is that correct OP? Just to avoid some of the questions about the ex and his family :-)

merlin68

Op are you claiming all the benefits you are entitled to. You should be getting working and child tax credit, housing and council tax benefit.

alis74

January yes it is me, just so down I felt like becoming a newbie! Merlin I am not entitled to Housing benefit at all I put in a claim but no I get nothing. I do get wtc and ctc all of that goes on the rent and some of my wages as well (I only get paid above the minimum also) my wages go up and down each week as some weeks I would do 30 hrs and some 40.

I am totally and utterly overwhelmed. My ll will do nothing, I am so sick of handing over money to live like this. My dd is suffering as well. I know I have a house (but told not entitled to legal aid) so my husband is just sitting laughing (I just cant pay a solicitor and just can't find one who could at least help and take payment from sale of house) total Catch 22.

I just feel like telling my ll at the end of the month sorry I have lost my job, will be applying for housing benefit and just take the money as a deposit for someone else, yes wrong but I have had enough