Can't find a guarantor and feel stuck - help!

BigAunty

Like others, I don't think you are getting the full picture if the only difference is £2 or £3 a day in extra energy costs.

However, as she's not in employment, then many landlords will be reluctant to rent their properties to benefit claimants and out of those that do, many will ask for a guarantor.

Perhaps it would be better for her to retain this property and for the partner to move out or has the partner already moved out? Is the current rent much higher than the LHA rate as that's where many benefit claimants struggle - they cannot afford the top up from their existing benefits.

Perhaps she has debts that she is not telling you about?

Download the MSE budget planner and get your friend to fill it in. Work through the site to identify ways to slash costs, such as changing energy, telecoms/broadband, insurance tariff, cheap recipes and so on. For example, there are websites showing how to feed to a family of 4 for £100 a month.

Double check her benefits on the Turn2us online benefit calculator. She may be due some tax credits, housing benefit or similar. You can identify the maximum LHA on the Direct Gov website.

Is the partner in employment? Why can't he afford much? His contribution to child maintenance will not affect her benefits. Under CSA rules, I believe he is expected to pay around 15% of his wages to the parent with children. See their site for the exact calculation.

rentergirl

The scourge and curse of EVERYBODY needing a guarantor these days: guarantors have guarantors, etc, etc. It is ridiculous and again, must be challenged, as it being done by custom and not by need. However: contact the council and ask if they have a scheme where they work with landlords who will house benefit claimants.