HELP PLEASE First time rent/situation!

wiggywoo9

Hi

I'm a single parent of 10-month old boy, and we live in a single room at my mum's (not in contact with dad). There's been arguments, tears and a lot of problems, and I'd feel happier out of it all. He needs more room and I need to grow and be a parent.

I'm a student at Northampton uni but commute from Coventry. So I'm looking at renting a small place in Coventry, two bed flat perhaps. I only have one more year of uni so my loans should take care of travel. I need to know how much it would be, with food, rent, bills, etc, bearing in mind any benefits. Out of term time I don't get anything but Child BEnefit and Tax credits about £70. Could I get anything to help me or any advice please?

I need to strike out on my own. I want to finish my degree and get into teaching, I'm not trying to live on the dole, that's the last thing I want, but I do have PND and I'm trying to do good for me and my son.

Any help appreciated!!

BitterAndTwisted

Depending on your income you may qualify for some help towards your rent from LHA (Local Housing Allowance) from your Local Authority.

Please be warned that although there are two of you the age of your child could mean that you would only qualify for a contribution equivalent to a one-bedroomed property in your area. Check your LA's website to see what the maximum rents they are prepared to support. You would have to make up any difference yourself. How you secure such a property with a restricted income is another question entirely. I hope you have a decent pot of savings towards a deposit and the first month's rent or you'll have no chance.

Have you consulted the turn2us site for guidance about what benefits may be available to you? An argument could be made that things like this should have been considered thoroughly before you decided to go ahead and start a family on your own without a half-decent career under your belt.

rentergirl

Good advice above but judging people here not useful. I hope the OP manages to strike out: she needs to work to improve the chances of herself and her child. And you don't know the whole story. Often having a child makes people want to 'better' their prospects. Has the OP thought of fidning another single parent in a similar situation, to share childcare sometimes and alllow them to find a house to rent together. Good luck!

wiggywoo9

Thanks. I did think about all this with my ex-fiance, but as soon as he decided actually, I don't fancy a baby, after I got pregnant, I faced a one-parent family and no nice flat sharing responsibilities together. So I had to stay with my family with baby, and his dad doesn't bother with giving him his time or money.

I'm just trying here and after everything, I just need support. Better to try, try, try than give up, surely?

pmlindyloo

Here is a useful site to get you started:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10034876

BitterAndTwisted

The very first thing you should do is see if you can force this father to start supporting his child like he should. That could make the difference between staying where you are and being independent. Well, independent of your mother but not the tax-payer for a while.

Have you approached your Local Authority to see what help there may be for someone in your circumstances to find housing? If they can't supply any themselves they may be able to help you secure some privately by providing a bond/security deposit. Your college/Uni/professional organisation?

perthperson

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Depending on your income you may qualify for some help towards your rent from LHA (Local Housing Allowance) from your Local Authority.

Please be warned that although there are two of you the age of your child could mean that you would only qualify for a contribution equivalent to a one-bedroomed property in your area. Check your LA's website to see what the maximum rents they are prepared to support. You would have to make up any difference yourself.

Maximum amount of local housing allowance would be 2 bedroom rate.

Agree that you need to check up what you are entitled to and do your sums!

Hump

The 2 bed LHA rate for Coventry (April 2012) is £103.85 per week, this is the most help you will get towards your rent. Your low income will mean that you will get help with paying the Council Tax as well. Once you have secured a property you will need to apply for Housing and Council Tax Benefit at your local council i.e. Coventry City Council

Housing Benefit is paid every 2 or 4 weeks in arrears into your bank account meaning on a £425 pcm property you would get £196.15 every 2 weeks.

You should be able to apply for Income Support (see pmlindyloo's link above at http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10034876)

You can pick up a 2 bed house in Coventry for £425pcm, expect to need around £525 - £650 for a deposit, plus the first month's rent (£425) plus around £200 application and administration fees - a total of £1150 - £1275. Try to get one with gas central heating - avoid anything with electric heating - look at the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and try to get one which is 'D' rated or better.

Remember that even though you have already paid the first month's rent the Council will 'reimburse' this as part of your HB claim.

In your area it is quite common for lettings agents to insist on a rental guarantor - someone who promises to pay your rent if you don't - because you are on a low income. It's not fair but it's understandable. This 'guarantor' obviously needs to be able to cover their own living costs and the cost of your rent - hence it's quite common for lettings agents to insist they have a minimum income level AND pass 'referencing' for which, you guessed it, they'll charge another fee (usually less than you will have to pay to be 'checked out').

So in summary:
Someone lends you £1300, someone (probably the same person) stands as guarantor and Coventry City Council then pay your rent into your bank far too late for you to be able to pay your landlord his rent monthly in advance.

I'd stay at home!

dimbo61

Q who looks after your child while you are at uni now ? Mum and dad?
Many landlords wont have tenants on HB, IS as its very difficult to evict them at the end of the tenancy and if they apply for a council property the council use ( gatekeeping) to delay rehousing them and force the tenant to be evicted by bailiffs at great cost to the landlord.
Could you not stay at home until you have finished uni and got a steady job

mealone

The OP cant get IS as they have the normal student funding so any help with housing allowance will be based on her student funding and tax credits.

wiggywoo9

THanks, I do have one more student loan end of april, which is what I'm grounding everything on, plus a bit in savings (£500). As I'm on an arts course, it has just two 12 week terms plus exams etc. When I'm in uni, he goes to nursery, which I pay for via loan. Now I've finished the last term of this year, I won't get nursey money but I'm hoping to squeeze my last loan into furnisings, deposit, bills and overdraft.
There's no point waiting as my finances aren't really going to change- I've got another uni year and then I start teacher training.
Is there any hope for me to do this? I really can't stay at home anymore and while I've got the last loan, it might be easier?