Housing situation is wearing me down

Tinkywinks108

I am at my wits end. I'm a single parent (and only parent), currently in receipt of housing benefit, studying part time and about to work part time. I've come a long way since a bad period of mental health problems and existing soley on income support with no hope for the future.

My landlord has just put my rent up 20% and I can't afford the difference. I can't afford to stay and I can't afford to move. To stall for time, I have agreed to them sending the new contract, and because they felt I took too long deciding whether or not I can stay (even though current contract has not yet run out) - they have issued me an eviction notice (section 21) 'as a precaution'.

I have been an excellent tenant, not once behind with the rent and they have been !!!! landlords, the place is falling apart and they do the very (or below) the minimum.

I don't expect a free lunch, but I do expect support when I'm trying my best to take steps towards paying for my 'lunch' from a country who is apparently so concerned about getting people back into contributing towards society. I have contacted CAB, lone parent organisations and other various charities supposedly set up (and funded) to provide support, my local councillors - to name a few, and have either been ignored or palmed off with information easily obtained from Google. At risk, are my home, my son's schooling, my college education, my mental health, my attempts to work part time and come off benefits, ie my plans for a better and independent life. I'm not giving up, but it's a tragedy that everyone else is.

Hammyman

Have you thought of looking for somewhere else to live? If its that bad, I think I'd have moved long ago.

Tinkywinks108

I did pay a deposit but I am not banking on getting it back, knowing my landlord. For example, the old and unstable wall outside of my house collapsed after icy weather but he insists I did it by driving into it (I don't even have a car!!). There are loads of examples like this. Plus, not many landlords in my area are keen on housing benefit tenants (especially with a cat). I also really can't afford the cost of moving house (hiring a van etc) and due to a back condition, it is very difficult for me to do any lifting.

I contacted Shelter, gave all details on the phone, they agreed it I needed help, confirmed all the information I had already researched and told me that a colleague who was a housing benefit expert would call me. I recieved no call, and no answer to my message left for her. Then a few days later I received a letter from Shelter to confirm the 'advice' they had given me and that they were now closing my case.

Although I have had another phone call from the media department of Shelter wanting to interview me for a local newspaper.

missmontana

Have you been to your local council and told them what is happening? If you have been issued an eviction notice they will have to rehome you as you would be a priority, having a child.

Tinkywinks108

I went to the local housing benefit office, this was before the eviction notice which I only received today, they told me that if I applied for the local housing allowance, I'd be entitled to more than what I'm getting now, as I'm still under the old system. The only way I could do that though, it to break my contract for a week (and owe my landlord a weeks rent out of my own pocket).

I asked about council housing, I was told that I had to prove I hadn't made myself intentionally homeless (the guidelines were frighteningly ambigous), and that I would initially be offered temporary housing which would "probably be a B & B and not necessarily in the area". My main concern about this is my son has learning difficulties and is under a special program at his school which is helping him so much. Not many schools get the same amount of funding for this and are able to offer the same level of support that my son has been thriving on.

I know beggars can't be choosers, but because they are very negative and vague about the whole council housing issue, I have no idea exactly what the future holds if I take that route and feel very insecure about it. Not only re my son's schooing but things like, where will I put all my stuff if I get moved into a B & B? If I have to travel in to take my son to school, this may jeopardise my college studies (which is already a job to work round my son), away from much needed support of neighbours and friends I rely on as a single parent, etc.

Obviously, I'm not ruling anything out, and I am exploring all options, there are just the issues I need to address and difficulties I may need to expect.

Mikazaru

Was your deposit placed in a scheme?
Some councils offer a bond deposit scheme for private rentals if you're eligible and are entitled to LHA is moving to private rental an option?

Oldernotwiser

If you're about to start a part time job,won't your new earnings help towards paying the increased rent?

Tinkywinks108

Yes, my deposit was transferred to a scheme about a year ago. I'm not sure if that will help me?

The bond deposit scheme has been scrapped (in my area anyway).

LL30

The council will be vague, very vague I'm afraid - they are trying to keep homeless applications down and housing is in high demand. They did everything to try and put me off, but I had no choice (long story, went from great earner, good health etc to high risk pregnancy with ridiculous rent increase, and I stopped being paid...) Their solution at one point was for me to squat where I was! They even refused to do a home visit, despite the hospital only allowing me home as I lived 5 mins away. I had to take the risk and drive 10 miles away (doesn't sound much, but when you're at risk from bleeding to death - which I nearly did in the end - it was not good).

Press ahead with the homeless application. Don't worry about details yet, a roof over your head is more important. Things will get sorted but you need to remain proactive despite the lack of support you feel you are getting from the appropriate agencies. Do your council have a bond scheme - I was ignorant at the time (to many things, and probably still am to much, but that's the problem with ignorance) but would have jumped on that band wagon if I'd have known about it. I'll warn you, it's not easy, luck was on my side and the morning I was putting all my stuff in my car (not sure where I was going!) I got a call from a housing association asking me if I wanted to look at a flat...I said 'No, I'll take it'. And all of this was despite the fact that I had a high risk pregnancy - well and truly throws the 'get pregnant and you get a council house' myth out the water.

Another thing to consider is if you are lucky to get somewhere, it will be a shell (it is for HA houses anyway, not sure for council) I only got carpets 4 months ago and lived without a fridge freezer, washing machine, oven, sofa etc until the new year (moved Aug 10) I still don't have a bed, or bedroom furniture, but I'm working on it Just thought I'd flag it up so you know. It's been hard, but I'm getting there and forever grateful that I have somewhere to live - it is possible

Tinkywinks108

Oldernotwiser - I'll be working 16 hours a week as advised by my lone parent advisor, as working any more will stop my housing benefits altogether. I'm not really that much better off working part time, I just wanted to come off income support.

Tory70, no unfortunately not, my current housing benefit allowance can not be increased and I can not apply for LHA unless I come off housing benefit altogether for a week. Doesn't make sense really!

I do keep hearing recommendations for Shelter, so think I will go back to them and try again, maybe I was just unlucky.

Oldernotwiser

Sharada wrote: »

Oldernotwiser - I'll be working 16 hours a week as advised by my lone parent advisor, as working any more will stop my housing benefits altogether. I'm not really that much better off working part time, I just wanted to come off income support.

Tory70, no unfortunately not, my current housing benefit allowance can not be increased and I can not apply for LHA unless I come off housing benefit altogether for a week. Doesn't make sense really!

I do keep hearing recommendations for Shelter, so think I will go back to them and try again, maybe I was just unlucky.

Then come off HB for a week. Many people do this if they'd be better off on LHA.