In a panic - flat about to be reposessed

Voyager2002

Cool_Chick wrote: »

If I could rent privately with my cat, that would be perfect. But I don't think you can get Housing Benefit for 5 years if you lose your home. They say you need to prove that you did not make yourself homeless on purpose. Repossession papers should cover you, but it is so hard to get the council to ever reconsider their easy option. And in that time I would have nowhere to stay.

Ok, I'm feeling so much more positive now! I am so, so grateful to you all.

It's not that bad.

Someone whose home is repossessed maybe refused access to social housing unless they can prove that they did everything they possibly could do to avoid repossession (irrelevant to you, since people without children do not usually have access to social housing anyway). The rules for getting help with private rent are different, and less restrictive.

I'm glad that you are feeling more positive now: let's hope that energy lasts long enough for you to start doing things to improve your situation.

Morgage_Confused

you wont get any social housing because you dont qualify. if your house is sold you will have about 200k equity left over so why should you need any housing benefit?

as i mentioned earlier rent out that room. use proceeds to pay off mortgage arrears first. any left overs towards renovation budget.

theres a government rent a room scheme you need to look at. i think its just over the first 4k tax free.

whatever you do dont auction or get repossessed its madness to even consider.

Voyager2002

Morgage_Confused wrote: »

you wont get any social housing because you dont qualify. if your house is sold you will have about 200k equity left over so why should you need any housing benefit?

as i mentioned earlier rent out that room. use proceeds to pay off mortgage arrears first. any left overs towards renovation budget.

theres a government rent a room scheme you need to look at. i think its just over the first 4k tax free.

whatever you do dont auction or get repossessed its madness to even consider.

Good advice. You are of course right that someone with savings of 200K (or anything over about 16K) would not normally get housing benefit. I was responding to an earlier post, expressing a belief that anyone who had been repossessed was barred from housing benefit for five years. I am confident that no such bar exists.

Repossession could well mean the lender adding on charges that would eat up most or even all of that 200K equity: indeed it would be madness to choose this. Sale by auction would be far better than repossession: it can be a sensible solution for some people, particularly if the condition of the property means that no buyer could get a mortgage.

Bubbles35

Hope you dont mind Cool_Chick, I have sent u PM!

Cool_Chick

Hello again,

ILW - half a mill?! I wish! I had an offer of £420k right before the bubble burst - crazy money! I honestly think nearer £300k but I'll confirm after speaking to the Estate Agent. Lease around 120 years, all neighbouring houses recently redeveloped, only my place needs work. On a busy road though. Other than that, pure bargain!

Whitewing - I'm sorry to hear about your mh problems. But you sound like to recognise them, understand them and are tackling them. And you are very lucky to have a husband and children. Even if they sometimes drive you up the wall, at least they know you, are there for you and love you. Sometimes, just having a real person to talk to can work wonders. That is what I need.

Houseiseverything - your positivity is infectious! I've listed a few things but I'm very new to ebay. I always post for 99p then wonder why I end up giving quality things away so cheaply! And good on you for knowing how to make good wine so cheaply. I wish I knew how to do so too. I might try a kit too. And you have helped me, so thank you!

Voyager2002 - I will ask Shelter about private rent. I would prefer that to social housing, easier to move closer to work (if I ever get it!).

Morgage Confused - I may make £20k, definitely not £200k. I'm going to try the council renting my property scheme first. I am very doubtful about finding a lodger, but I will ask the Estate Agent and try placing a free advert. Do you know about selling property at auction? I was hoping that that might be a final option if all else fails.

Thank you all.

Beckyy

Have a look on rightmove's property sold prices to see what similar properties in your area have sold for, regardless of renovations it will give you a rough idea what to expect from the valuation

whitewing

Husband only came along relatively recently, and only because I was (for the most part) keeping positive and making connections.

Have to say that your circumstances are looking a lot rosier than we may have thought yesterday.

Lavendyr

Cool-Chick - there is so little I can add to this thread as so many people have already made such good suggestions but can I just say - you sound like a lovely person (and what a lucky puddums you have to be so cherished - I have a friendly black cat round my way who comes in for a cuddle and a snooze every so often, wish I could have a cat all my own but my husband's allergic!).

Please stay upbeat - IT IS JUST A HOUSE. There are much much more important things, and your health is one of them. And please do go and see a doctor and talk to them about how you are feeling. They will be able to help.

Oh, and things that make me happy? My husband. My garden. Cuddly cats. Good music. Meeting friends for a giggle in the pub. A chilled glass of bubbly in the bath. The sound of our neighbours' hens clucking. My doorstop, Angus the highland moo. Lots of other things - but that's a few I can think of off the top of my head.

ILW

Cool_Chick wrote: »

Hello again,

ILW - half a mill?! I wish! I had an offer of £420k right before the bubble burst - crazy money! I honestly think nearer £300k but I'll confirm after speaking to the Estate Agent. Lease around 120 years, all neighbouring houses recently redeveloped, only my place needs work. On a busy road though. Other than that, pure bargain!

Whitewing - I'm sorry to hear about your mh problems. But you sound like to recognise them, understand them and are tackling them. And you are very lucky to have a husband and children. Even if they sometimes drive you up the wall, at least they know you, are there for you and love you. Sometimes, just having a real person to talk to can work wonders. That is what I need.

Houseiseverything - your positivity is infectious! I've listed a few things but I'm very new to ebay. I always post for 99p then wonder why I end up giving quality things away so cheaply! And good on you for knowing how to make good wine so cheaply. I wish I knew how to do so too. I might try a kit too. And you have helped me, so thank you!

Voyager2002 - I will ask Shelter about private rent. I would prefer that to social housing, easier to move closer to work (if I ever get it!).

Morgage Confused - I may make £20k, definitely not £200k. I'm going to try the council renting my property scheme first. I am very doubtful about finding a lodger, but I will ask the Estate Agent and try placing a free advert. Do you know about selling property at auction? I was hoping that that might be a final option if all else fails.

Thank you all.

Think you may be surprised. Prices in the more desireable parts of London have risen since the peak.

barbarawright

I used to work round there - I'd be amazed if your flat was 'only' worth £300k.

Re volunteering, I agree with those who have said that an animal charity might not be the best if you're looking for white-collar work. Why not try these folks - they'll have experience of matching up people to the work best suited for them (and I can assure you that you won't be the oldest or best-qualified person they've helped)

http://www.hfvc.org.uk/