Supply teaching & renting

catspaw

I'm not sure if anyone can offer advice ut I will post just in case.

Background:I am a supply teacher and have recently split from my OH.
I had to apply for HB over the summer hols as there is no teaching work available.
The council wanted proof the rent had been paid and wanted it from the agents.....I called them...the bint on the phone assumed i was claiming bnefit full time and told me tenancy wouldn't be vaild.....after much hassle got an email stating i could stay then 1 week later a 21: notice to quit.

Because I am on supply many agents are refusing to take me on as i can't make their min levels on my salary...they refuse to count my housing benefit....and i am wasting money on fees.

I have registered with the council for housing but nearest suitable property is 60 miles away and as DD1 is final exam year i cant change schools.

Has anyone suggestions to convincing agents I am a viable prospect?

Fire_Fox

Do you have a guarantor or can you pay six months rent up front? Have you tried private lets?

catspaw

Hi Firefox: no guarantor and def no to 6months up front that would be nearly 4500 for a 1 bed, at the moment the council dont pay my full rent either so am struggling to live:mad.

I am looking at private lets but there is nothing at the moment

pmlindyloo

catspaw wrote: »

I'm not sure if anyone can offer advice ut I will post just in case.

Background:I am a supply teacher and have recently split from my OH.
I had to apply for HB over the summer hols as there is no teaching work available.
The council wanted proof the rent had been paid and wanted it from the agents.....I called them...the bint on the phone assumed i was claiming bnefit full time and told me tenancy wouldn't be vaild.....after much hassle got an email stating i could stay then 1 week later a 21: notice to quit.

Because I am on supply many agents are refusing to take me on as i can't make their min levels on my salary...they refuse to count my housing benefit....and i am wasting money on fees.

I have registered with the council for housing but nearest suitable property is 60 miles away and as DD1 is final exam year i cant change schools.

Has anyone suggestions to convincing agents I am a viable prospect?

OK, let's check that your Section 21 is valid first and see if you can get more time for your search.

Assuming in England (please correct if wrong)

When did your tenancy begin? How long for?

Is your deposit protected?

When was the Section 21 issued? What are the dates on it?

Do not understand about tenancy being invalid if you are receiving HB. Is there a clause in your contract about HB? What does it say?



As regards finding a new place usually only a few options with letting agents - lots of money in a bank account , a guarantor, or rent money up front.

Any chance of borrowing the rent money and then setting up a DD to pay it back (thinking family/close friend)

Have you thought about registering for private tutoring - would at least give you some extra cash or finding a different job until you get a full time teaching post?

Supply teaching in our area, at least, is not in great supply as now TAs seem to be covering classes.

Fire_Fox

Are you considering all different types of accommodation, even taking rooms for a while? You might be higher priority for the council if you are not properly housed. Can you move to a cheaper area with decent transport links to your daughter's school? You can get a long way on the train within half an hour if there is a station in walking distance of the school. Would she get any state help with her transport costs? Will the council give you temporary housing with the S21 then bump you up the priority list? *Sometimes* they advise you to sit it out and be evicted.

jamie11

You may wish to consider a lodging for a while, you have less rights of tenure as a lodger but it's certainly going to be cheaper for you.

catspaw

Thanks for the responses, it is helping me to focus a bit.

Am based in England
Deposit is protected
Have to be out by 30th Oct

Thee housing benefit thing is them trying it on. I have an email stating I can stay....then 1 week later issued the Section 21

Hadnt thought of the tutoring thing, will do some research tonight



Not sure on the lodging thing though.....cant rent a room as have the 2 kids and people wont accept this, unless you mean something else and I am just being daft and not understanding.

I have asked round family/friends but nobody has that money, my mother is retired so cant help.

I am looking in other areas: very cheap ones have no links to the school, as in no bus or train links. The closest that does is 30 miles away and I wont get help with transport.

The council wont bump me up the list. They say there are B & B's but the closest with spaces is nearly 50 miles away and they advise me to swap schools for both DD's and yes they have advised me to be evicted:D:) not really what I want as noone will rent to me then and I will be truely homeless.

I might be able to find a friend to take the kids for a litle while and I suppose I could find a campsite and stay (really dont fancy it in the snow though, just a little chilly:)

Thanks anyway guys

catspaw

And I am applying for ANYthing I can get my hands on, including cleaning and bar work. I have a varied well qualified work history in many fields. ut nothing as yet.

pleasedelete

Are you able to get a full time teaching job? Wouldn't that solve the problem? Why go cleaning when you could teach?

paddedjohn

catspaw wrote: »

I'm not sure if anyone can offer advice ut I will post just in case.

Background:I am a supply teacher and have recently split from my OH.
I had to apply for HB over the summer hols as there is no teaching work available.
The council wanted proof the rent had been paid and wanted it from the agents.....I called them...the bint on the phone assumed i was claiming bnefit full time and told me tenancy wouldn't be vaild.....after much hassle got an email stating i could stay then 1 week later a 21: notice to quit.

Because I am on supply many agents are refusing to take me on as i can't make their min levels on my salary...they refuse to count my housing benefit....and i am wasting money on fees.

I have registered with the council for housing but nearest suitable property is 60 miles away and as DD1 is final exam year i cant change schools.

Has anyone suggestions to convincing agents I am a viable prospect?

How big is your Borough? if I travelled 60 miles id have to cross at least 2 concil areas.
When was the s21 issued?

dancingfairy

What type of contract are you on? fixed term? in which case they cant make you leave before the end of the fixed term or rolling contract? What day is your rent due? What date did you receive the S21.
You need to answer the questions precisely as people are trying to help you and they/you need to know whether the notice is legally valid or not.
In order to get council housing firstly the notice has to be correctly served (and at this stage we don't know if it has), secondly the landlord has to go to court, thirdly the landlord has to appoint bailiffs before you will likely be rehoused.
Best of Luck
df