Guarantor issues / can I afford this flat?

93123

I'm 18 and have found a potential first rented home. It's £300 a month. My uncle is unsure whether to be a guarantor because my Nan has told him HB for under 25s is stopping 'very soon' (I've been told it's stopping in a couple of years, if it goes ahead!). He was saying stuff such as "What if housing benefit suddenly stops, or if your benefits suddenly stop?" - My defense is that they won't suddenly stop. So please read about my income and expenses and tell me if he will have issues.

Income

ESA (Work-related group): about £98 per week
DLA: £35.50 per week

Total: £534

Outgoings

Rent: £300 (LHA will pay £216, I need to top up £84)
Council tax: (Council tax benefit will pay this)
Bills: £100
Food: £100
Phone: £26
Monthly bus pass: £40 (that's if I don't get accepted for bus pass)

Total: £430

I can't think of any other extras. My phone acts as broadband, phone etc so I won't need that... I won't have a TV unless I know I can afford the licence, I don't like going out (at least when I do I only use bus fare and money for food/drink) and won't if I can't afford it.. Anything else?

I will eventually get a job hopefully by going to these work focussed ESA interviews and even if they stop it at some point I'll get a similar amount with JSA with the disability premium. If worst comes to worst and they stop it all (what are the chances of me not finding ONE job in the time it would take them to cut JSA disability premiums?)

Thanks!

Fiddlestick

Why do you need a guarantor if you (or we, rather) can afford this flat?

Voyager2002

The rules are different for people with particular needs: since you receive DLA and related benefits you will not be affected in the same way as a "typical" 18-year old. In any case, when regulations about benefits change, people who already receive benefit are protected from the effects of the change.

I suggest you visit your local Housing Benefit office and ask for a letter explaining this situation, in the hope that it will convince your uncle to act as a guarantor.

catieeb06

Because Fiddlestick a lot of L/L's insist on people having a guarantor if their rent is being paid by HB so there is someone to come back on if the rent isn't paid.

CLAPTON

how long have you ben receiving this income?

have to actually lived on this budget?

if you have but are living at home (your situation is not very clear) then presumably have have quite a lot of savings as you have a lot share each month?

you need a realistic budget; one that includes going out, buying clothes occasionally, buying the odd xmas /birthday present

93123

CLAPTON wrote: »

how long have you ben receiving this income?

have to actually lived on this budget?

if you have but are living at home (your situation is not very clear) then presumably have have quite a lot of savings as you have a lot share each month?

you need a realistic budget; one that includes going out, buying clothes occasionally, buying the odd xmas /birthday present

About 15 weeks for ESA. Several years for DLA but only got it when I turned 18, it's an indefinite award. I don't have a lot of savings, I had to use a lot of it on household contributions, clothes, phone bill, paying back a loan etc. On this budget I have £200 after bills, rent, food etc.

Thanks everyone.

BobQ

Someone should not need to be persuaded to act as a guarantor. They should be convinced that your budget is affordable and realistic. Nor should they agreee to be one unless they are convinced that they can afford to lose the money they are guaranteeing.

Is your budget realistic? Bills £100, what bills?, Where does this come from?

Do you have any debts? Is the flat furnished? Do you need to budget for any furniture, furishings? Are whitegoods provided? Are there any service charges?

Can you really feed yourself for under £25 a week? What about household goods (things like washing powder) and toiletries, clothes.

At home you get lots of things for free, have you budgeted for things like a broom, a vacuum cleaner, kitchenware?

Not convinced you have thought it through.

Fiddlestick

BobQ wrote: »

Can you really feed yourself for under £25 a week? What about household goods (things like washing powder) and toiletries, clothes.

I'd say so.

Me and my wife feed ourselves for £20 a week each, so £25 for a single person is possible.

opinions4u

Why do you have to move out?

93123

BobQ wrote: »

Someone should not need to be persuaded to act as a guarantor. They should be convinced that your budget is affordable and realistic. Nor should they agreee to be one unless they are convinced that they can afford to lose the money they are guaranteeing.

Is your budget realistic? Bills £100, what bills?, Where does this come from?

£100 isn't exact, it was an estimate with help from several family members, this was the average.

Do you have any debts? Is the flat furnished? Do you need to budget for any furniture, furishings? Are whitegoods provided? Are there any service charges?

No debts, and as I stated above I have savings for the furnishings etc.

Can you really feed yourself for under £25 a week? What about household goods (things like washing powder) and toiletries, clothes.

Definitely, and toiletries won't be expensive if I shop right. I've done the shopping plenty of times on a budget, both food and toiletries.

At home you get lots of things for free, have you budgeted for things like a broom, a vacuum cleaner, kitchenware?

Yes

Not convinced you have thought it through.

opinions4u wrote: »

Why do you have to move out?

They want me out, and I need to be out. It was only a temporary arrangement, I moved in an act of desperation.

I'm not asking if it will be great to live like this, I'm asking if it's possible for now. I assume it is, considering after the essentials I have over £150 left over, I just wanted further opinions.

sulkisu

93123 wrote: »

I'm not asking if it will be great to live like this, I'm asking if it's possible for now. I assume it is, considering after the essentials I have over £150 left over, I just wanted further opinions.

And posters have answered your question - the majority do not think it is possible; you seem to think that it is, so why not just go ahead and do it. Good luck.