Don't Know What To Do Next!

FleetFanatic

It's like this:

We've discovered that we're expecting baby number 4. :beer:
This should be good news.....but......
.....we currently live in a 3 bedroom council house, where 1 bedroom is a box room.

The 14 year old son has that room.
The 12 & 9 year old daughters share a room.

Now, if it's a boy, there isn't room for him to share the boy's room and at 14, I can't imagine he'd want to.
If it's a girl, then that too is a bit much - 3 to a room? & the other 2 being older???

Can't afford to buy here in Kent, certainly not a 4 bedroom!
Council lists are long & the bigger properties are in very short supply, combined with possibly being lumbered with an area that isn't suitable - because of my job, I don't drive so need easy access to the rail network.
The house exchange forums are full of people who have 4/5 bedrooms, but want the same when they move.

Baby isn't due until October and this is already stressing me out!

Now looking at private renting, which means reluctantly giving up the cheap rent.
Been using https://www.entitledto.co.uk to play with figures and on a 4 bedroom costing say £950 a month, I would be able to get £380 ish a month paid?

I could stretch to that, but how do I know that it will be the case?
Can this be confirmed in advance, as I thought it can only be applied for once the property to be rented has been applied for?
I don't want to commit to something, only to discover I can't afford it.
Although with a deposit & fees, that's still £2,000 to shell out straight away.

I just don't know what to do!

I'm even looking at cheap properties up north to buy, I've seen some that would be ok with a little work for as little as £60,000!
Whilst not even knowing the areas, I'm thinking pay the mortage on it & rent down here still, whilst looking for a new job up there, then move in when I have found one.

It's getting quite depressing going over all this in my head, to be honest.

inmypocketnottheirs

What do you think in the long term is the best. To pay £950 a month rent in the private sector, where you could be forced to move regularly as private landlords often are only renting short term etc. Or move to an area where you can at least afford something that is likely to be worth more in 25 years time?

FleetFanatic

Wow that was quick.

I'm thinking this too.....trouble will be convincing the missus.
Her mother & 2 of her sisters all live 5-15 minutes walk away.

But I think our futures need to be secured.

inmypocketnottheirs

FleetFanatic wrote:

Wow that was quick.

I'm thinking this too.....trouble will be convincing the missus.
Her mother & 2 of her sisters all live 5-15 minutes walk away.

But I think our futures need to be secured.

I am sure it won't be easy, but as you say it's the long term you have to think about.

I would still advise extreme caution though; be very wary of buying what could appear to you to be a bargain, but is in fact over priced, because of your lack of knowledge of the market place.

Also consider what you do for a living and where there is greatest demand for your skills. Also consider that if moving to a cheaper area, wages will almost certainly be lower.

However, it must all be weighed up against the benefit of owning (eventually) your own (possibly) appreciating asset.

thesaint

You can get the council to give you an idea of how much housing benefit they will pay for a particular property, it can be done before you move in.
I think it is called a Pre tenancy determination.

rach29

Is there any hope of you buying the property you are in, under the right to Buy scheme and then extending it? eg Loft Room?

Also don't panic, it's a while before new babe arrives & he/she will be able to share your room up to about age 2 if neccessary so you have time to decide what's best for you and your family.

Also......... CONGRATULATIONS:j :j :j :j :j

fivemice

Ah, that could be a problem. Moving away from family when you're expecting a baby is rarely a great idea. Who will support your wife whilst you are at work?

chirpy007

Do not give up your tenancy lightly !!!!!!!

Also some councils will pay you to give up your home and put the money towards a deposit. Would that be a viable option

FleetFanatic

fivemice wrote:

Ah, that could be a problem. Moving away from family when you're expecting a baby is rarely a great idea. Who will support your wife whilst you are at work?

Point taken. I went to football yesterday (naughty me) and her mum delivered the strawberries she was craving!

chirpy007 wrote:

Do not give up your tenancy lightly !!!!!!!

rach29 wrote:

Is there any hope of you buying the property you are in, under the right to Buy scheme and then extending it? eg Loft Room?

Also don't panic, it's a while before new babe arrives & he/she will be able to share your room up to about age 2 if neccessary so you have time to decide what's best for you and your family.

Also......... CONGRATULATIONS:j :j :j :j :j

Funnily enough, she's been on the blower to me at work this morning.
She says that bunkbeds and maybe later on a conversion of the attic - the attic goes from the front to the back of the house, with a triangular apex at both the front and back increasing the space and being brick, easy enough to have normal windows fitted.....

Room for a bedroom and maybe a 2nd bathroom me thinks?

Now I'm thinking right-to-buy, with extra cash to do the work......

silvercar

if the council judge that you are overcrowded in your current home, they may well prioritise you for a bigger house.

cattie

Parents usually occupy the biggest bedroom in the house, so perhaps if this is so in your case you could shift to the 2nd bedroom if the baby is a girl & let the 3 girls have the largest room. If you have a boy then once he is old enough to sleep in his own bed then bunk beds are a great solution for the small bedroom.

In the meantime you could be checking out the rtb route & wouldn't have to worry about house extensions for a while yet. You could get the work done when time & money permit.