Opinions wanted please...could you live there for a year...

Dunroamin

Go for it but don't waste any money on improvements you can't take away with you.

lindsaygalaxy

Thank you for all your thoughts so far.

There is some mould in one of the bedrooms, but im guessing that is where the heating hasnt been on. The owner is an elderly man (though I do know him and he is very with it). He really just doesnt want to pay the council tax!

I have 2 concerns - one is that my ex is still in the process of taking me to court for 50/50 acccess of the children (he currently has about 30/70) - the kids do not want this. I am worried he will use this against me. I am a discharged br (5 years this summer) so a good deposit is vital for us. With DS going to school in september we will also be saving on nursery fees.

My other concern is the lack of space. We will have to put things in storage and im not sure if we would cope with the lack of space! Im worried about upheaving the kds for as few months, thought I also worry this would be a missed opportunity for us.

Valli

Looking at your sig this would take you there, or near enough, in a year.

You're doing this for your family's future - how your ex could claim this is a detriment to your children I fail to see.

The upheaval is for a few months. Would your eldest stay at the school where he/she is now?

nuttyp

go for it, treat it as an extended holiday!!!

tori.k

Bite their hand off, I spent one winter in a summer let static caravan with a 18month and 4 year old while we were sorting out the house, we are lucky as usually it stay's quite mild over winter in Cornwall. we managed fine just leaving an oil fired radiator ticking overnight we used sleeping bags with duvets on top, you may need a dehumidifier as summer lets do tend to get damp due to condensation. it will be unpleasant at times and fantastic at other's the same as it is in any place you live. you just gotta keep your eye on the prize

shelley_crow

People choose to live in all sorts of housing, I doubt anyone could use it against you unless your children were suffering, eg,from the effects of the cold (for what it's worth, I lived without central heating for a few years from 11 years old, you don't tend to notice so much when you're young!) If he does try to use it, I'm sure the judge will accept that you are using it as a stopgap to save more money for better accommodation and will appreciate that you are being careful with money in order to benefit them.

I would want something down in writing about the rent, if the minimum he could charge is £250 a year, make sure he has a maximum figure in mind too. The last thing you want is to be in limbo without a tenancy agreement of some sort for security. It's a hell of a good offer but I'd want the finer details ironed out.

Callie22

I'd do it, but I agree with Dunroamin - don't spend your cash doing anything more than cleaning it and making it as comfortable as possible for 'no' money. Also, get EVERYTHING in writing - tenancy duration, rent etc etc. Try to make everything as watertight as possible because whilst you're dealing with the nice old bloke today, if anything happens you could end up dealing with relatives who might not be so nice. Don't let this turn into an informal agreement - protect yourself as much as possible as this is going to be your home. Also make sure that it's safe - it doesn't need to be modern, it doesn't need to be clean (you can do that) but for the sake of your family make sure it's safe.

mcjordi

do it... get a woodburner installed.. unless theres one there..

i would take it...

pigpen

I'd jump at it too.. and look on the preparing for winter thread there are some very cheap ideas for keeping your home warm in winter.

skylight

I would jump at it, but:

a) Chat with your solicitor and ask their opinion. If its going to be detrimental to the court case, then its a no-go. It is DEFINITELY a proper home? Not a shed-house? I guess if the council want to charge him council tax, they deem it as a proper home.

b) Being an ex-BR will make things difficult, even when it drops off your file next year. You will need a massive deposit - 10% wont cut it, so it needs to be vastly more. Unless you can seriously save that serious amount you need, its not worth it.

c) Are any of the kids asthmatic etc? Any signs? If there is any ill health, its got to be a no-go.

d) As someone else mentioned, you still need a tenancy agreement stating what you will pay in rent.

e) Dont bother extending or doing anything you cannot take with you. There will be extra expense in heaters and thick, lined curtains for those windows. Mould in the bathroom will need to be treated often.


I would go for it! (Despite the pessimism)