In a panic - flat about to be reposessed

Cool_Chick

Ah Swampduck, thank you so much! You are very kind. And your experience and advice is of so much use to me now, despite how awful it must've been for you to go through. I'm so sorry that this happened to you.

If I may ask, how long did the whole process take? And how did you rebuild your life afterwards? And how do you feel about the old property?

I've been calling Shelter all evening too. They close at 8pm. But they put you in a queue and I keep getting automatically disconnected after 3.5 mins. Maybe it's my mobile operator, although I'm not being charged. But I don't have a landline to use, so I will have to call from the Jobcentre tomorrow.

I've applied for the insulation so many times, through different suppliers. They never respond. So I don't think it's possible on my property. But I did email the council yesterday about renting my property to them. When they respond, I will ask again. They might even visit.

I do feel much better now. I think being alone and having no friends and no family made the situation much worse. The stress was at boiling point. You may all only be cyber-buddies, but you have so many varied viewpoints, experience and tips between you all. I've made so much progress by just listening to you all. It's like someone holding my hand and leading me through the hysteria!

swampduck

I'm glad all your cyber-buddies are rallying round to offer help and advice where they can. The internet can be a wonderful thing when life is throwing a load of doodah at you and you can't think which way to go next.
At the time I was going through all the hassle with re-possession I had two young children and although I was married my husband was next to useless. (Hence why we are now divorced and I moved 300 miles to put a bit of distance between us!!) But at the time because of my children the local council was obliged to re-home us and we ended up in a house which had to be de-flea-ed before we could move in. We were there six months when we were rehoused to a brand spanking new home!!
But I digress - we had made various arrangements with the mortgage company - which due to circumstances at the time we could not adhere to. This meant several court appearances over the course of a few months so all in all probably around nine months. Whatever people may think the courts will try and keep people in their homes whatever the cost to the mortgage companies!! Re-possession really is a last resort for everyone concerned.
But years on - I can look back and view it all dispassionately although it certainly didn't feel like it at the time!! I divorced my husband and have now remarried and have a mortgage too!! So it's not the end of the world if it doesn't work out the first time - you just pick yourself up and move on!

Swampy






https://www.gov.uk/support-for-mortgage-interest/overview

Mrs_Z

"I've applied for the insulation so many times, through different suppliers. They never respond. So I don't think it's possible on my property."

Take Swampduck's advice - there IS A FREE LOFT INSULATION grant offered by the Government which is available to everyone; owners and tenants alike (with landlord's permission).

Why not try British Gas for starters, they do them and you don't even have to be their customer, but you need to act before 30/11/12.

http://www.britishgas.co.uk/products-and-services/energy-saving/home-insulation.html

I don't want to sound harsh but your negativity does you no favours. You need to focus on things you can do. Why dismiss Swampduck's advice straight away? You could have said instead... hmm free loft insulation, I think I'll find out if I'd be eligible too!

Enzed22

Hi again Cool_Cat. Glad to hear you've had a productive day.

Here are those links you were after:

* https://www.storemates.co.uk is one example of how you can rent out your spare room as storage space (obv with all the usual caveats about dealing with unknown people online!).
Here is a link (I hope) to an article that mentions that particular site, along with other ways to boost your income:
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/mortgageshome/article-2093068/Opening-loft-lower-overheads-renting-spare-space-taking-lodger-boosts-household-incomes.html

* The housesitting site I really like is trustedhousesitters.com. It was set up to cater for people who need their pets looked after in their homes while they are away. However, I've been stalking it for a while (am tempted by it as I'm sick of paying ridiculous rents in London!) and I've noticed that some very good longer-term positions have come up in France, being offered by people who don't have pets of their own (so, if you were lucky, then maybe your cat could even go with you).

* Another option if you do successfully sell and the job market doesn't improve for you could be other live-in type positions. I'm from the southern hemisphere and when I first arrived here 12 years ago, one very helpful tip was to look in the back of publications like The Lady (not something I'd ever normally read!) to find live-in jobs. Sometimes you can get free accommodation and a small wage just for driving someone's Granny to and from the shops (and, again, if you were lucky you might find a cat-friendly household). Obviously, this type of thing would just be a stop-gap measure for you, given your strong professional background, but it's always good to know such opportunities exist.

* Re setting up for yourself, I know you've got more pressing appointments coming up at the moment, but if you ever have the time it might be worth visiting the British Library (by St Pancras Station). The business centre there (think it's on floor 2, by memory) has information and leaflets that might give you food for thought. Also, there's a board there where you can offer your professional services for other small business owners/sole traders who might be in need of them (all you need is an email address and phone number).
Most of the basic websites are paint-by-numbers type things ... if you can post on here, then you could definitely handle one of those. The Techie board here is very helpful (and they've come to my aid a couple of times when I've been out of my depth with my own website/blog). Also, the small business board usually has lots of threads about 'best free business websites' etc. So do places like the self-employment section of sites like mumsnet.
Also, look out for free tutorials on Youtube and on the main Wordpress site (should you ever want to start out with a blog ... could be handy as you can post retrospectively and therefore make it appear as if you've been blogging away since 2010, or whenever you choose).

* Definitely agree with finding a positive way to fill the gap in your CV, even if it means being creative. You can even turn an adult gap year into a positive thing in some industries. Or set up a blog/website and say you've been working for yourself for a couple of years but discovered you missed the buzz of an office (that would work in my profession, not sure about yours!). Of course, it all comes down to what you're comfortable with and you do sound incredibly truthful, which is a rare thing in itself in a world full of blaggers!

* The book I've found so helpful is called 'Feeling Good' by David D Burns MD. I think it was the original cognitive behavioural therapy tome. The programme I saw it tested on was one of Alan Yentob's, in about 2007 I think. Anyway, I've taken the ideas from it that worked for me and ignored those that didn't. The only annoying thing about the book is the small type!

PS: I feel sorry for your cat now I know he has a special day named in his honour ... how rude of all those people - I've always adored black cats! Anyway, I see what you mean - that was perhaps not the best example!

Fingers crossed for your flat valuation. Hope it goes well.

Cool_Chick

Hello everyone,

Swampduck - what a scary position to be in with two young children! I cannot imagine how terrifying that must've been, especially if your husband is not supportive. But 300 miles is a bit extreme, isn't it?! And I am so, so happy that you have recovered from all of that. To be rehomed must've been a relief, although it's still hard. It may not be your choice of property/area and it's hard to leave the home you have chosen and built up. Did you lose any money in the transaction? I find that they seem to charge for any excuse. And I did get Mortgage Support with the Interest, but it was tiny and has now expired. I commented on this earlier. I am so glad that you are happy and in a much better position now. I think I am going to sell if I can and move on. Use it as an opportunity to move on to the next stage of my life, whatever that may be. Thank you for telling me about your experience.

Mrs Z - I appreciate your badgering me but I really have applied to lots! Believe me! And I've just checked your link now. I have no loft, therefore I am not eligible for loft insulation. I also have no cavity in my walls - my property is very old and pure brickwork. But the link has been helpful to point these out to me. I hope your property is eligible. And thank you for your tough love!

Enzed22 - wow, that is a lot of information! Thank you! And I feel like you know me. There is so much there to follow-up on. Firstly, I'll pop to the British Library this weekend. And I'll see if I can borrow/buy the book cheaply. Also, I certainly will follow up on the other suggestions. And now you understand why I would rather die with my cat than drop him off at a shelter, however cruel that may seem. I've been to Battersea Cats Home many times and am very familiar with lots of other charities. But he would not cope. And if he's not rehomed, they will end up euthanising him. Even though he is very young and healthy. Anyway, I'm trying not to think like that now. I will rebuild things for us and find us a happy, secure home again. Thank you for your many tips.

Gary123456790

Hi,

I've been following your thread. Did you ever get the estate agents valuation?

It would seem to me that if you can sell up and have a good wedge of money then you can rent cheaply / buy a caravan / etc and be free whilst considering your options and meeting new people.

And dont worry about tidying/cleaning before they come round. Your flat will appeal to developers who will completely renovate it so they dont mind what condition its in, just the potential.

Gary.

whitewing

How has today been, Cool_Chick?

whitewing

Hope you're okay.

whitewing

Good luck with the Estate Agents this afternoon.

Cool_Chick

Hi Whitewing, thank you so much for caring. I'm sorry that I didn't get to log on yesterday. Went to the Jobcentre - they can offer no help on work experience placements. Applied to Working Links - they can't accept me unless the Jobcentre refer me but I've already been referred to another company. They are terrible - have not wanted to see me since December 2011. That way they can get their fee from the DWP without having to actually invest any money in me. Have got DWPs contact details this week and will start complaint tomorrow. Have also made some progress on a few other queries I have. Not resolved but at least these companies seem to be listening to me now. Went to bed last night feeling very scared again. I'm just so scared of the next NRAM letter which is due. Still can't get through to Shelter. Will visit CAB on Friday. Done some small DIY today. Flat looking better. Appointments start at 2pm today.

And hi TrustedJames - I'm afraid I haven't looked at your website yet. But it might be a problem for me if there may be gaps in the housesits. My cat needs stability. Maybe one long-term housesit might be good to get me started if I end up homeless, but I know I shouldn't rely on it. But thank you so much for responding here. I'm sure it would help others too. I'm just hoping that I have some equity left over to start again somewhere cheaply.