make do and mend for tougher times

SpikyHedgehog

fuddle wrote: »

Thank you for all your help. I have to tell you that about 45 minutes ago the LL called to tell us he wants us to leave. We have 2 months to get out... 20th December. Can you believe that? I am so sure that we need it in written form before the 2 months begin but even so, we have to leave. It is a sad smiley face because I'm worried. I'm very worried. At the end of the day I'd rather have a damp house than all the stress that is about to be begin.

With us having the banruptcy, no money in the bank for 6 months deposit (for their security) and nobody to be a guarantor we will struggle to be accepted by an agent. I'm stunned, I'm angry and I'm very teary. Not sure what were going to do and it's too late and I'm too emotional to think through a plan right now.

(((Fuddle)))

I know this is totally scary - we had the same happen 6 years ago, in October, the Housing Association we rented a private house through came round to say the LL wanted the house back so they were giving us 2 months notice to be out by Christmas.

Now, because the person coming to tell us this was the nice man from the HA, he told us what to do - stay put and go to the local council and tell them asap, and ask to be bumped up the list for housing.

katieowl wrote: »

Fuddle would it be worth letting the people who have you on the waiting list know? Maybe if you can plead the BR as making it really hard for you to find alternative accomodation it might bump you up their list?

Kate

As far as I know, the BR won't make any difference to the local authority housing. But the LL's giving you notice will give you lots more priority for housing - my borough council says this on their website:

Is Your Housing Need Urgent?

If you have recently been served with a notice of seeking possession or a notice to quit and are likely to be homeless please contact our Housing Options team on (the phone number) where you can make an appointment to see a Housing Options Officer.

kidcat wrote: »

One other reminder Fuddle - even a S21 isnt an eviction notice, its a request by the LL asking you to leave, you can ignore it (some councils will expect you to ignore it in order to access their priority housing) and the LL then has t o apply to the courts to have formal eviction notices issued. If you ignore them he can apply for a repossession warrant. That all takes time, (we overstayed at our last place as we were held up buying this one - it overran by about six weeks in the end, but I knew it takes a while) so you do have time. And it sounds as though your LL has not got a clue.

You need to check if your deposit is protected too if its not you can issue a claim against him but you need to go to the renting board for info on how to do that, I have never had that problem.

Remember I said we were given notice to be out by Christmas ? We finally moved out in March.

We'd spent all the time we could finding a house, went straight to BC the day after we got the notice so we could get bumped up their list, looking round at all private rented properties, running round looking at houses you couldn't swing a cat in for 2 adults, 2 growing boys and a cat. BC found us this house - new build, to be finished at the end of January...

BC did all the contacting old HA to formally ask for permission for us to stay till the house was built, got permission, builders over-ran, HA agreed we could stay till it was finished. Bloomin' stressful time, as we had to make contingency plans in case they said no, leave sooner.

But if they'd had to take us to court to get the repossession order, the judge would have looked at the fact we were waiting for the house to be finished and said for us to stay till it was finished.

Housing wise, it was the best thing for us as old house was damp and too small.

Get down to your local BC this morning Fuddle. I know you don't want to stay in that area, but don't close off any avenues - if you get into social housing, you can put in for a transfer to preferred area.

Then when you get home, get on the phone to preferred area BC and tell them.

This will work out for the best. You 'just' have to go through the stress first...

Possession

kidcat wrote: »

I realise this may be a very strange question - but does anyone use facebook and if so have they tried to "friend" me today ? I ask as I have an account that I rarely use and somebody has tried to add me, now the account seems a genuine one but its someone in Scotland not local. If its anyone here can you message me so I dont offend anyone by not adding them

I do but it wasn't me.....

D&DD

DS3 is hopefully going back to school today..I say hopefully as he's not awake yet!
DS2 is gone already he leaves at 7.30..
Cooking was planned for today but need to clean a bit first so may have to put it off for a day as my parents are due later and DS2 is back home for 11..best laid plans eh?

Hope everyone has a great day XX

Not me Kidcat I don't do FB and live dan sarf

Pooky

It wasn't me Kidkat, another southern softie here.

Have done something to my neck/arm and the tendons are having a bit of a complain. I can't straighten my hand out or make a fist....lovely. Wore my wrist splint over night but it's made no difference so shall have a day of gentle stretching to try and relieve what ever is trapped.

Made some lovely fairy cakes yesterday as we had the Inlaws popping in for the afternoon, between those and showing off my patchwork and latest makes, my M-I-L thinks I'm the best thing since sliced bread. She said if her son was ever mad enough to leave me then she'd disown him and adopt me....high praise! My last MIL was a cowbag of epic proportions so I'm quite happy to keep this one.

nuttyp

Rather new to the thread, love reading what everyone else is up to tho.. I finally had a weekend off work - and spent it either asleep or cooking. Made a roast dinner yesterday with wombled onion and cauli from roadside. OH doest know tho.
Left over potatoes will do cottage pie for them tonight, have an evening shift again so yesterdays leftovers for my tea tonight.
Going to search charity shops today for a few cardi/jumpers to make into new cushions for the sofa. Saw some in the shops and they look really snazzy just dont have the money to buy them, well not at £20 each!!
Anyone else have any ideas to make different cushion covers??

VJsmum

Mrs_Veg_Plot wrote: »

There is enough paint left over from when they were last decorated to do them again so will only need to buy some white gloss.

Hi - there is a bit of a problem with white gloss at the moment in that it very quickly goes yellow (i.e. within a couple of months). Du!ux are saying they have solved the problem but apparently they haven't. My hallway has just been done with white satin instead - which, clearly, isn't as glossy! I think cream and coloured gloss is alright - but might be worth checking. What a bu88er about the accident - glad you are all OK.

Monnagran - thanks - I am quite an active person, but I'm also an outdoors person - but I loathe and detest the cold. I know the saying about "no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing" but, even appropriately dressed, I just know it's cold.. Give me a week or two and I'll be getting on with it.

Pooky - love the term "cowbag".

Well, I've been stood up big stylee. DD is on half term (DS is next week, first time that's ever happened) so she, me, friend and friend's DD were going to go for lunch. DD now arranged to go with her friend and Friend is going into the city with her DD. So me and my cold will have some soup...

Today, I really must clean the kitchen (still not done), and the kids bathroom, hoover round and mark two dissertations. Later.. I cooked tonight's tea yesterday but OH has realised he is out with a friend and the kids won't eat it, so it's back to the drawing board. Beans on toast all round maybe.

Coffee will help, Je pense.

Aria`s_Tail

Hi everyone.
Just a quick check in as I have been in Amsterdam for the last week. Had a great time, saw some old friends, drank way too much beer and ate way too much cheese. We did stick to a budget though and didn't go mad. (Knowing people over there does help with this!)
That was our treat to ourself (2nd proper holiday together in the 5 years of our relationship) but back to reality now. Next week though I want to crack on with a few bits of winter prep and bulk up my storecupboard.
Got back last night, emptied suitcase of dirty washing and cheese:D and am now packing it all back in as am off back to work for the next 7 days. I will try to catch and keep up with the thread if I get a chance.
Must go and give doglets their breakfast toast.

Hugs to everyone.

SpikyHedgehog

prepareathome wrote: »

Oh Kidcat, you know where I am if you want a shoulder to cry on or someone to yell at universe through, am quite happy to be both or either.

Sorry not sent my love to all others who need it but its there for you all.

I had a dream the other day that I received a pm on here from someone, honestly it was a dream no-one sent me this pm, and it said I was depressing the group so would I please butt out if I could only moan on here so I can see my sub-concious is pointing out to me I am just being a moaner so staying quiet until back to normal, not that I ever am that

Hugs and love to allxxxxx

Crumbs, PAH, we were worrying about you when you weren't posting, cos we miss you so much! You're not a moaner. Sometimes we moan about stuff, but not because we're moaners but to get other ideas for dealing with it, or moral support. Don't you dare butt out!

nuatha wrote: »

Good morning Fuddle (and everyone else)
I've several years experience of working with homeless families in temporary accommodation and seen the grief that good intentions or trying to do what's best can cause. There is excellent advice upthread, especially the post (GQ?) that mentions staying put until the Landlord gets a possession order - though each local authority is slightly different in how they actually implement things, leaving a tenancy before the landlord has gone to court (or the house has been declared unfit or unsafe by the Powers That Be) can easily result in a ruling of intentionally homeless.
Get in touch with environmental health regarding the damp and mould (ensure the word mould is mentioned in the conversation) they being one of the PTB that can rule the house unfit for habitation.
If memory serves, your current housing application is with a different Local Authority? You may find you need to file an application with your current LA as well (local connection is a major factor in the criteria to assist, though I have known LAs cooperate in obtaining housing in another LA this is relatively rare).
There are a number of deposit guarantee schemes running in various parts of the North East, I'd be very surprised if there wasn't one in your area, your local housing dept should have details (but the criteria for qualifying might be that you are deemed priority and require a referral from LA or Social Services.

I hope that the above makes sense, if it doesn't tell me and I'll attempt to clarify when my brain is working a bit better.
Meanwhile, chin up, you will turn this to your advantage, and I'm pleased to see this morning's post.

I had another thought, Fuddle, round here one way to access various support, loans for housing deposits etc, is through the Children's Centres - I think your youngest is 5 or not yet 5? Could be worth getting in touch with them too.

katieowl wrote: »

Morning toughies. Hope all are well this fine Sunday morning.

I'm sitting here with my second cup of tea, and am due at work in an hour. I had a dreadful night's sleep thanks to OH's constant getting up for a wee, and then Roxie got me up at 6.30 to be let out into the garden, then again at 7.30. I was totally awake by then so I just got up. I seriously do not think I can stand OH in the same room any more. He got up four times last night, he crashes and flails about, has to switch the bathroom light on (that makes a massive big click anyway) and the walls here are paper thin. He switches the light on before he shuts any of the doors, so if the banging hasn't woken me up, the light does :mad::mad::mad: I'm going to HAVE to have a word, and it will probably end in a row...

I really hope it will actually be worth me being at work today, the last few Sundays have been so quiet, I seriously don't think they should be opening, they are NOT covering the wages, let alone the running costs. I have pointed all this out...but along with all the other money saving advice I keep offering, it's not being taken on board :mad: Oh well.

Kate

Mum has worn ear plugs for years to reduce the noise dad makes; but MIL has gone a step further and FIL sleeps in a separate bedroom. She says she can still hear the snoring though!

fuddle

Spikey stop giving yourself brain ache helping me out hun.. it's sorted :cool: You'll find out when you get to the next few pages, I'm really sorry x

Anyone know if dehumidifiers are expensive to run? P.S. Do you think I dare mention the toilet?! :rotfl:

See, I can laugh. He's not coming round till DH in tonight as I just didn't want to see him on my own.

SpikyHedgehog

prepareathome wrote: »

Aw, he's so cute!

7_week_wonder wrote: »

Oh my goodness I'm so excited! OH is out and I have to tell someone, and nobody else will understand like you folks.......

I've made pasties!! For years I've always been awful at making pastry but I've recently been given a Kenwood Chef and this weekend I've been experimenting. For the first time ever I've managed to make pastry that I could roll out (ok my circles were a little geometrically challenged!) I've put some chickpea and potato filling in the middle and they are almost ready to take out of the oven. One has cracked, but the others look pretty good!

Sorry for crashing in like this, but I'm so happy:T

Well done! they sound yummy, and my pastry always ends up cracking somewhere.

Mrs_Veg_Plot wrote: »

Hi all, have not posted for a while but do keep dipping in every now and then to see how you all are . Have caught up on a few pages tonight.
Fuddle I am sure that you will be able to sort this all out. I admire the way you seem to cope with whatever comes your way.
OH and I are both on holiday now and will be decorating the girls bedrooms. With DD1 being at uni DD2 is moving into her room as it is bigger. There is enough paint left over from when they were last decorated to do them again so will only need to buy some white gloss. Have cleared and cleaned the first room ready to start tomorrow.
Made a steak and kidney pie for tea with YS S&K and YS filo pastry. Used the rest of the filo to make an apple tart with a layer of HM blackberry jam underneath the apple. Very cheap but filling.
Nursing a stiff back (hope the decorating will stretch it out) following a car accident a few days ago. Luckily no one was seriously hurt apart from my my car which we think will be written off (it is 15yrs old). The driver that caused the accident had a seizure and crashed into a 4x4 which crashed into us. DD2 had to go to hospital in an ambulance as she has had neck problems since birth and was in pain but luckily is ok.
I am really enjoying the sewing course I have started at college. We have made some very cute makeup bags which I am planning on putting some smellies in for my older neices for christmas. Have just finished a machine sewn applique panel. I am going to make an apron to put it on. Really getting the hang of using the machine now. Have also made a cushion for DD2 from a pair of jeans that no longer fitted her.

Off to wake OH up who is busy snoring on the sofa.

Keep well

Mrs VP

Oh crumbs, Mrs VP, hope you feel better soon and don't have to wait too long to hear about the car. The sewing sounds great!