In a panic - flat about to be reposessed

whitewing

Okay, we can't see it, but I have to say that the flat sounds wonderful.

SavingPennies_2

You mention being too old for work experience. Someone I work with had been out of work for over 10 years with health problems and she is a fair bit older than you. After doing a work experience placement through the job centre she applied and got a permanent job on the same team. I would def go in and ask about it, i think it may have been a back to work type scheme. Good luck

Cool_Chick

Thank you everyone. I very much appreciate all your kind words. I hardly slept again last night but at least I felt that you were all on my side. My cat was sleeping with me so I cried a little very quietly until I gave up and started reading a book.

Celia Hammond is a goddess but it's quite far from me. But there are lots of shelters closer. I've just found 3 roles at Battersea Cats Home so I will apply from the library this week.

And Dancingfairy, thank you so much for your advice! Those seem to be my only three options. I really need the CAB or Shelter to help me there. I will try my best with the CAB tomorrow and keep trying Shelter.

Cool_Chick

Thank you for your kind words Whitewing! It's great if you support Chelsea FC (I think the boys in blue are kicking butt as we speak), and great for shopping on the King's Road. Hell, it's a great location. Just falling to bits inside. It's over 100 years old and last renovated around 25 years ago.

And SavingPennies, I had no idea about these work experience schemes through the Jobcentre. Your friend sounds very lucky! I'm glad that she was taken on permanently. Do you mind if I ask what kind of role/organisation it is? Just so that I can ask if my Jobcentre has similar roles.

Thank you.

whitewing

It's not falling to bits...it's shabby chic / vintage etc!

Are you absolutely sure you can't get a lodger? Why don't you advertise and see if anyone comes to see it? Then at least you could get some feedback.

Caroline_a

Re volunteering. Personally I wouldn't look at the animal charities. It seems like a good idea when you love animals (and believe me, I have 2 dogs and a cat, so know what an animal lover is!). However, I would say that you need to regard volunteering as a step towards employment, and with the best will in the world you are unlikely to get a job that pays anything more than minimum wage in animal care - that is if you can get one, because every man and his dog (sic) seem to be doing degrees in animal care!

Look for something where you can use your clerical skills, computer knowledge and then you will have something to show an employer that actually, yes you can hold that job down in an office. Cleaning out Fluffy's litter tray won't cut it!

Voyager2002

Hi Cool_Chick,

Some more thoughts about what you have posted:

I don't think your flat is about to be taken away from you: what you have received is a threat, rather than a notice of court proceedings. Usually when they make that kind of threat, they want the borrower to contact them and make some kind of arrangement about regular payments. And even if they do take it to court, I think it unlikely that a judge would allow them to repossess for just three thousand (one per cent of the flat's value). The most probable outcome of any court proceedings would be an Order giving the lender more control over your flat, along with legal costs added to your mortgage. So you are right to take the letter seriously, but wrong to panic just yet.

You really do need expert help. I doubt whether the CAB has the expertise you need. You really need to be talking to Shelter: do they have anywhere that you can go to for advice? The tactic of going early and just waiting until someone can see you might be the best.

You are also wrong in fearing that after repossession there would not be any housing benefit: if you could find a private landlord willing to rent to you, you would still have a right to help paying the rent.

Volunteering could help you in lots of ways. You might think of taking your professional skills to a charity: they would be very grateful, and that way you would have recent relevant experience on your CV.

Voyager2002

Another possible option for your flat: many local authorities have a scheme whereby they rent properties from private owners like you and use them for homeless people. They pay something close to the market rent for the property; take care of all the management and maintenance; and completely re-decorate before handing the property back at the end of the agreed term (usually two years).

Cool_Chick

Haha Caroline_a! Yes, I'm quite an expert at cleaning out litter trays but I suppose you are right, I should be using my "proper" skills! Ok, I'm going to check about the work experience placements on Tuesday when I next visit the Jobcentre. Ideally something with progression potential.

And Whitewing, I've just found a barrier. I only have one bathroom. And my baby is sprawled out fast asleep on the mat by the radiator right now. What if a lodger wanted to pee in peace? Or make reasonable noise? I stay silent when my baby sleeps but a lodger wouldn't. And they would scare my baby. Especially if they had friends over. It just wouldn't work.

I'm going to try flat out next week to get a job (again). That would show that I'm actively trying to pay off my debt and NRAM might agree to capitalise my arrears so far. Might work. Fingers crossed.

Beckyy

In the short term, do you have anything that you don't use and could sell either on eBay or the like?