Housing Ben's and Housing issues

shaunc196

Hi All,

Currently going through a seperation with wife. I have posted my SOA and all my various issues on other threads here. Basically cannot sell the house, as depts are higher than house value. House and Secured loan in both names. I can afford ( just ) to stay here, wife cannot. I cannot afford to pay for this house and secured loan, and find another place for me.

So wife went to Housing People. They have replied, while her name is on the house, they wont help. Also, if she moves out, she is making herself Homeless, so won't help. I have nowhere to go, and also see above. If I have her name taken off the house, then again, Volentery Homeless. This situation is amicable. We are trying to help each other to be fair.

Is there anything left she can do? Anybody else suffered the same? There must be a loophole out there somewhere

Thanks in Advance.

Oldernotwiser

Your wife could see a Lone Parent Adviser at the Jobcentre, who will be able to advise her about benefits. When she knows how much HB she might get she can look for what's available to rent locally.

shaunc196

Thanks Oldernotwiser.

We are not being nastly to eash other. I know, as I used to work for the local council, I know how they work. I know if she made up any excuses about housing, they would remove me, no matter if she could afford or not. The system is so screwed, its unreal. If she could afford it, then yes I would move out. She cannot, and she knows this, so best option is for me to take it all on. There is no equity of anything like that, its nothing but a headache.

I just cannot beleive that the housing people would turn there backs in such circumstances when kids are involved.

Do they really want me to move out, and both of us go bankrupt?

Scarlett1

the only thing your wife can do is privately rent and put in an application for housing benefit and council tax benefit, they might not pay it seeing as she has her name on another propertyand they would expect a house sale and for her to live of her share of the proceeds.

cooperbob

My situation is similar to yours but my wife made her own claim for IS and HB (behind my back)and was awarded them. Our house has equity but after paying outstanding debts we wouldnt end up with much to speak of.She has had me removed from the coucil tax list for this address also, I dont know where that puts me, after seeing CAB they couldnt help me with out knowing what her circumstances were.

shaunc196

cooperbob wrote:

My situation is similar to yours but my wife made her own claim for IS and HB (behind my back)and was awarded them. Our house has equity but after paying outstanding debts we wouldnt end up with much to speak of.She has had me removed from the coucil tax list for this address also, I dont know where that puts me, after seeing CAB they couldnt help me with out knowing what her circumstances were.

If she has had you removed from the CTAX, then SHE is liable for any charges they she runs up. its not in your name. I currently have the same issue. Wife didn't pay, I live back at home, they know I am, but its the wife's debt, not mine.

With men, the council and housing people tend to side with the women. Don't want to scare you, but she could have you removed ( housing assoc will do this ) if they see its best for the your wife ( and kids ? ) to stay there, no matter if she cannot afford it.

Currently in the same situation, but on more friendly terms, which is my saving grace.

Justie

Have you looked into how much you could get by renting your house out - it may be enough to cover the mortgage and some of the loan in which case your income would then go on renting somewhere smaller - it may mean you can't have seperate rooms for the kids but could give you a medium term solution...

shaunc196

Hi Justie

But that leaves us both homeless. The council would not help her for sure on that one, as she has made herself "Volantery Homeless" because she has already filed for IS and HB, so they know the situation.

Just been told on another thread, that bankruptcy is not really an option either, due to various reasons.

Wow, onwards and upwards then, could it get any worse? :eek:

Oldernotwiser

shaunc196 wrote:

Hi Justie

But that leaves us both homeless. The council would not help her for sure on that one, as she has made herself "Volantery Homeless" because she has already filed for IS and HB, so they know the situation.

Just been told on another thread, that bankruptcy is not really an option either, due to various reasons.

Wow, onwards and upwards then, could it get any worse? :eek:

You seem to be ignoring the possibility of renting privately, both for you and your wife. It's really not a choice between owning, social housing and being homeless. As Justie was suggesting, you might be able to rent out your family house to cover your mortgage and loan; you could then rent a 2 bed flat for yourself and visiting children (which would be cheaper) and your wife could get housing benefit to enable her to rent a house for the family. You need to go with the possible and stop trying to make the impossible happen.

plumduff-2

The problem is if you move out, then the council will consider you to be intentionally homeless, its a no win situation..

I would go to the CAB and see what they say. In my experience the homeless section try to shirk their responsibilites as much as they can... so get the CAB to look into this...

shaunc196

plumduff-2 wrote:

The problem is if you move out, then the council will consider you to be intentionally homeless, its a no win situation..

I would go to the CAB and see what they say. In my experience the homeless section try to shirk their responsibilites as much as they can... so get the CAB to look into this...

Spot on. We both have appointments. Mine is really to find out legally where I stand.