Up the duff!

paskwal

Hi all,

Long time reader of these forums, my first go to when I have a problem so now I really need your help I thought I would join and ask!

The situation is this, my partner and I are currently lodging in our landladies' spare room for £125pw inc. bills. They are an older couple that need the extra income.

However, they get drunk nightly and violently argue constantly among themselves, the house is permanantly smokey, and recently we have discovered that they come into our rooms and snoop while we are out at work. We HAVE to find something else.

The situation is now more of a crisis, as this week we learned that we are expecting a baby.

My girlfriend is a full time student (she's going to defer her final year) and also works nights at a bar, I work full time in a warehouse. Our joint income is around £250pw after tax. We have no savings, and our credit ratings are non existent. (Hence why we had to take this room: No deposit and no credit checks).

Rent: 125pw
Travel: £40pw
Food: £40pw

As you can see, the little spare we have left would take us an age to save a deposit. It is frustrating as we can afford to pay rent, we just don't have a deposit, and no agency will touch us because of our credit.

What are our options if any? We can't stay here, but we have nowhere else to go..

Any help would be amazing.

Thanks!

Sorry for rambling..

McKneff

Any family around who can help with either lodging or financially

G_M

Forget the kid - you're not ready yet or able to support him/her.

Once you've dealt with the pregancy, you can start looking seriously at your living accomodation.

paskwal

Thanks G_M, but this thread isn't really about wether or not we should keep it. McKneff, unfortunately neither of us have anyone we can stay with,else the situation wouldn't be such a crisis!

marathonic

Any parents or friends that you could stay with temporarily?

What are rents for small apartments in your area - I'd imagine high given the cost of the room you currently rent.

Whatever you do, avoid debt at all costs. Payday loans in particular - have a look at the debt-free wannabe board to see the situation you could end up in if you go down this route.

Could you consider getting a weekend or evening job or a higher paying job? Could you buy a used bicycle to avoid the travel costs (obviously, not for her).

When your partner has the child, she'll likely be in the house more so I can see why you want to get out of there.

Tixy

Have you checked you are getting any benefits you are both entitled to?

Have you looked to see if there rent deposit scheme in your area and whether you may be able to get help with the deposit. http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/paying_for_a_home/rent_deposit_and_bond_schemes

Can you get a second job evenings/weekends? or do overtime at work?
Can girlfriend get a parttime job around her studying?

Does your income you've mentioned factor in your girlfriend's student loans?

marathonic

Also, have a look into what benefits are available when she leaves university and has the child!

Edit: Beat to it by milliseconds....

To be honest, I read a lot about the ridiculous benefits some mothers were on so would be VERY shocked if it came to a situation where the only option was G_M's suggestion.

paskwal

Hi marathonic,

We live in Brighton so as you'd expect rents are sky high, we have to stay local as I work here and our families are nearby. OH also goes to uni nearby.

I am going to start working mon-sat, with the saturday as time and a half so that will be a little more coming in, and looking hard for something better paying. However, even so we have no way of being able to save a deposit on the timescale we need.

Being here is stressing her out and that is the LAST thing I want!

What I mean is are there any schemes or local associations that could help?

paskwal

Oh thanks tixy I'll look at that now!

paskwal

I haven't factored in student loans, but her next installment is just over a grand in April, and she's made it very clear that she'll castrate me if I don't find some way of getting us out of here by then!

marathonic

paskwal wrote: »

We live in Brighton so as you'd expect rents are sky high, we have to stay local as I work here and our families are nearby.

This I don't understand. If your families are a reason for staying in the area, why can't you stay with them and put the 125pw you're paying in rent aside.

You'd only need to do so for enough time to put the deposit aside (although doing it longer would ease things after the child is born).

They might not have spare room but a blow-up bed in a living room floor for a couple of months ain't gonna kill anyone.

I realise living with parents isn't something any couple want - but, at this juncture in your lives, it's not about wants - it's about NEEDS!!!!