Struggling to pay mortgage and Bills

Avani

Hey

Hopefully someone can help with a few ideas. I have a joint mortgage with my ex partner. He moved out a year ago and has left me to foot the cost of the mortgage while I sell the flat. I am struggling to sell the flat, and in the mean time I had a lodger move in which helped out with the bills. The lodger is now moving out and I cannot find a replacement. I have two dogs and its difficult finding someone who will move in due to this. I also have a part time job, but cannot increase my hours more as its unfair on the dogs. I am working around 50 hours a week as it is and pay for a dog walker.

I have gone through a benefits calculator and I am not entitled to working tax credits, council tax or housing benefit. I earn just over £1100 a month and my mortgage alone is £515. All together my basic bills are around £850 a month. On top of that I have to pay for food, dog food and travelling expenses. I've been trying to sell the flat for nearly a year as I desperately need to move somewhere cheaper. Not only that, but due to the house prices, I will be loosing money on the flat and I also have to fund the sale myself. Getting money from my ex is like getting blood from a stone.

My mortgage is at a fixed rate of 5.4% until July / Aug and I cannot apply for a new one as the early repayment fee is £3000 which I cannot afford.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can lower bills / up mortgage or some sort of benefit I could be entitled to?

Thanks

BigAunty

Download the budget planner on the MSE website, work through the forums and general website for money saving tips, such as switching tariffs, cheap recipes, etc.

Post a SOA on the debt free wanabee board - they will suggest how you can decrease your massive non-mortgage related expenses.

Do you have any relatives or friends who would 'foster' your dogs while you get yourself financially sorted? Even though you will pay for food, vets bills and so on, you stand to lose thousands of pounds each year through only being able to work part time and not get a lodger. Also, as you have a dog walker, I really don't understand why you think its unfair on them if you work full time anyway - that's just weird.

Has your ex consented to selling the property? Many ex's sabotage this kind of thing.

poppasmurf_bewdley

I think the answer is obvious.

tomjonesrules

I appreciate it is difficult to contemplate, but would rehoming the dogs be an option? Normally I would not suggest it, but they are causing you a massive financial strain:

1. You cannot find a lodger because of them
2. You have to pay for someone to walk them
3. You have to pay for their food and insurance (and yes, insurance is essential)
4. If you are looking to rent after you sell, you are going to have difficulty finding anywhere that will take you/ them

Without knowing any of your figures, that has to be costing at least a few hundred a month?

angelsmomma

I'm a bit confused by your post, you said you work 50 hours a week but also said you work part time which one did you mean?

I do feel for you as the owner of two dogs, I would do anything to avoid abandoning them. The chances of rehoming is very slim anyway, especially at this time of year compounded by the credit crunch which has the pounds and charities overrun with dogs.

DorsetGirl_2

I think the OP means she has a second, part-time job which makes up the 50 hours.

DannyboyMidlands

1. Get rid of the dogs.
2. Price your flat realistically and sell the damn thing rather than fannying around for another 12 months.
3. Get on with it already.

welshmoneylover

getting rid of dogs is not as easy as it sounds, some dog owners would rather live on jam sandwiches than part with their animals.

DannyboyMidlands

ok then, point taken.

1. Live on Jam sandwiches
2. Price your flat realistically and sell the damn thing rather than fannying around for another 12 months.
3. Get on with it already.

BigAunty

If you post your struggle to sell your flat on the Housing forum, the members there will give you some tips, including a critique of the estate agent advert if you include it.

Are you in negative equity? The Shelter website has some helpful info about rights and obligations and options for homeowners on their relationship breakdown section.

Sorry, I missed the bit in my previous response about your long hours/two jobs.

MissMoneypenny

Put a thread with a rightmove link to your property, on the House Buying, Renting and Selling board
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=16

They will be harsh, but fair with their constructive selling advice.