renting while on benefits

forgotmyname

Estate agents? Thats where i looked when i left home.

Was a long time ago now though.

louloubelle76

I check rightmove alot but mostly agents and haven't got money for fees.

When i looked on my council website it said they will give me a list of landlords but when i went she said they dont have contacts.

As for baby father, haven't seen him since i was 7 months pregnant.

Think i might view some places and then ask if they take dss as then they can see me in person.

Just for the record i dont get the deposit council do it through LL or EA.

princeofpounds

I check rightmove alot but mostly agents and haven't got money for fees

Rightmove is next to useless for rentals in most areas. Often the properties posted are just 'kite-flying' properties, not really for rent but intended to make you call into the agent's office and get on their books.

If you are using agents you need to be in their offices or on the end of a phone. Rental property turnover is often fast and if you are looking on rightmove you'd be the last person to know.

tbs624

Do you have anyone who would be prepared to act as a guarantor for you?
(Must be in paid employment or in receipt of pension income, and some LLs/LAs will insist on the guarantor being a property owner)

aggypanthus

What area do you live in?

Are you sure of all your living costs on top of the rent ? Good luck .

somethingcorporate

It's not necessarily out of choice for a landlord, often LL insurance and or mortgage terms could have issue with DSS tenants.

jamie11

The deposit is not likely to be in the form of cash, most likely to be a bond.

Many landlords (like me) are having serious second thoughts about the value of those bonds for long term tenants, any future tenants I take are going to have to find the deposit and first month's rent, I don't mind them applying for LHA after that though.

louloubelle76

I have a guarantor who works in the public sector so know worries there.

I live in north london and want to move essex/hertfordshire.

Just have to keep looking.

Any 1 on benefits? How long did it take to find somewhere to live?

tom9980

The best bet with Agents is to go an see them, phone wont cut it they will assume worse case single mum scenario's and put the phone down. You need to present them and a potential Landlord with a best case single mum scenario where they have a long term tenant, who always pays and wants somewhere for their child to grow up.

louloubelle76

jamie, that's what im trying to do, get the deposit on my own as the councils dont seem to be quick at doing things.