Advice on renting... bad credit/housing benefit

Vickicb

Hi, don't wish to hijack the thread but am interested in this for my 19 year old "foster" daughter (lived with me, hubby and 2 kids from 16, no contact with Mum, never known Dad). She left us when we downsized a few months ago to move to an area with better primary schools, but got a place in a shared house nearby (official status a hostel).

Anyway, she's now pregnant, and not with the father (short relationship, violent, recently out of jail) and is on the very slow moving council housing list, which concerns her as when she's placed she's likely to be on the estate with baby's father and his family/friends which she does not want.

She is due a fairly large inheritance in a couple of years and the executors could stand as guarantee for the rent, as well as release small sums for the deposit. What are her chances of finding privately rented accommodation and being accepted to rent it with no work history and soley dependent on benefits? What questions should we be asking of rental agents? We have several copies of the pre-tenancy determination form and the council have said it's a 3 day turn-around. What else could she provide to prove her credibility?

clutton_2

""fairly large inheritance"" - i am assuming she will not be entitled to benefits then as she will have her own means. Rent up front always attracts a landlord.

lynzpower

Vickicb wrote: »

Hi, don't wish to hijack the thread but am interested in this for my 19 year old "foster" daughter (lived with me, hubby and 2 kids from 16, no contact with Mum, never known Dad). She left us when we downsized a few months ago to move to an area with better primary schools, but got a place in a shared house nearby (official status a hostel).

Anyway, she's now pregnant, and not with the father (short relationship, violent, recently out of jail) and is on the very slow moving council housing list, which concerns her as when she's placed she's likely to be on the estate with baby's father and his family/friends which she does not want.

She is due a fairly large inheritance in a couple of years and the executors could stand as guarantee for the rent, as well as release small sums for the deposit. What are her chances of finding privately rented accommodation and being accepted to rent it with no work history and soley dependent on benefits? What questions should we be asking of rental agents? We have several copies of the pre-tenancy determination form and the council have said it's a 3 day turn-around. What else could she provide to prove her credibility?

Vicki,

the local authoritys social services department should put her up ( help with deposits and HB etc) under the Leaving care act. This is a clear duty, so they MUST do so. If they stonewall, speak to "voice of the child in care" a charity set up predominiantly to enforce children and young peoples rights after they leave the care system.

AliceBanned

Definitely go via the council/social landlord in the first instance (some good homes on offer, although admittedly it can be pot luck, but worth investigating). I would recommend contacting Shelter to find out what your rights are for social housing. With a small child you clearly are in more desperate need than many, and the council should recognise this. Shelter have helped me enormously with a bad housing situation and although they are inundated and you may need to keep phoning/emailing them to get what you need, they will give you advice on the best options and will write letters on your behalf if they deem you to be in need.