House sold - now im 'stuffed'

Mayflower0

Hi and thanks for any advice in advance.. & sorry if this is not in the right place (Admin feel free to move)
To cut my story short I had to sell my home..Now the conveyancing process has started after about 2 weeks since the offer was accepted. But this is now where im really stuck.

Due to unemployment and being single with no family to help/friends, I find myself beyond struggling to find any money even loans to help me afford just a removals van and that's even before a deposit on any cheap rental.. Let alone the £200 for a skip to clear out the old house as best as I can on my own.

I say it's an odd predicament but its beyond that for me now and one im actually a bit terrified now because I can't put a pause on the process without 1) scaring off the buyer, and 2) like I said im 'having' to sell so there is no way back now..

I've even tried the local credit union and met them face to face and they understood and it sounded as though they could help.. Until I found an email from them that I had been declined for what was needed to help me. Basically 2k with £16 to spare after everything ive costed for immediate use to help me get into a rental before I have to be out of here or on the day atleast..

It just seems so odd, that even though I know my finances aren't in great shape anyway, I just can't get any assistance seemingly even just for a temp loan over a few weeks until the sale has been done and dusted and I can repay it. And in any case once I am out of here I can actually pay off my old debts that are now dragging me down and stopping me from actually sorting them

So If anyone has any advice, as Im sure this can't be a unique problem (?)... Id be really grateful. As I feel Im really getting nowhere. Even sold a few items cheaply, clothes etc basically its all up for sale inside and out. Everywhere Ive been turning to has been practically pointless and my time is fast running out.

todayisagreatday

Will you have the money from the sale of your house? If so, how much? Is a temporary option some kind of Airbnb/hostel?

Do you really need a skip? Since we moved I must have been to the local waste site 15 times at least with lots of junk. If it is things that may be of use to someone, anyone try giving away things on Freecycle or advertising it on the local FB pages. You'd be surprised at what people want. I once advertised 10 tonne of topsoil as we had dug up part of the garden to extend the drive. We had people with buckets, someone came with a minidigger and loaded a trailer up. Within 24 hrs it was gone and we would have had to pay otherwise to get rid of it.

I'm not encouraging credit card spending but most you get 56 days to pay off any £ before interest is added so could this be an option worse case scenario?

hazyjo

Could you wash cars, do odd jobs, mow lawns, local cleaning... just to get a bit of extra cash if there are literally no other jobs for you? Try advertising for free on a local FB group page.

cloo

It does sound like a credit card may be your friend here... provided you can pay something off of the balance. Don't know what your rating is like or what payment limit you'd get though, as evidently you'd want a few K for this.


Do have a spare room and do you live in an area anyone might need to stay in for a short period, eg to settle into a job/househunt/in between places? The move will be a few months away and maybe you could rent out a room briefly. May create some queries about occupiers of your house when it comes to questionnaires and there'd be worries they could be awkward about going, but it's the best way I can think of raising ££££ quickly.



Have you tried speaking to CAB, maybe they can help with emergency money?

tlc678910

Hi, if you will release money when your house is sold you could approach a local removal firm and explain you will get money from the sale of your house but don't have it upfront. They may be understanding and agree to invoice you rather than be paid on the day. If they are sceptical you could even try organising for the solicitor to pay them direct although I wouldn't think this is necessary.

Again re house deposit/ upfront rent you could ask an agent or landlord if they would accept the solicitor transfering funds on the day of the sale of your house before they release the keys. If no luck here perhaps you could put a card in a newsagents window as "wanted temporary lodgings" to try to get a room to rent for just a few months between house sale and finding a rental. You could ask the same thing if you are a Facebook user to your "friends" on there. Explain it is to tide you over between selling house and finding a rental and the person may allow you to pay when you sell.

If you have large furniture to get rid of some charity furniture shops will collect e.g. British heart foundation/ age concern or you could advertise it (free to collect if you like) on eBay/ Facebook or freecycle. You could even try a day with them on the front with a sign saying "free please take".

A few large items that are no good e.g. an old mattress can probably be arranged for collection from your council cheaper than a skip. Small items to charity shop, car boot sale or binned - driven to the tip if you have a car.

Have you made sure that you are claiming everything you are entitled to re being unemployed at the moment?

Tlc

Mayflower0

Thanks for the replies. I'll try to answer them so I can see where I am.

- Freecycle is a good idea I will look into. For things I can't move towards the end. Unfortunately as for the credit card option I have none right at this minute. As for the AirBNB and Travel Inn etc, yes thats my final plan if all fails. Where on the day I have to hand over the keys I can book into one. But I may still have far too much to shift to empty the whole house/garden too. And I don't drive or have access to a lift either sadly. So It will always be a man with a van or removals for now as an option if I cant see/give away things. Ive already given a lot to BHF the other day

"Could you wash cars, do odd jobs, mow lawns, local cleaning... just to get a bit of extra cash if there are literally no other jobs for you? Try advertising for free on a local FB group page."
- A great idea. And I have a lawn mower, but no way of moving it too far. That and a lot of houses around here have their own mower/or ripped out the front gardens now. And believe it or not I have been applying for jobs locally with the help of the job centre. With everything I'm trying to get sorted I just haven't had any luck at the moment. I'd bet i'm on the phone more than a call centre right now though.:eek:

"Have you tried speaking to CAB, maybe they can help with emergency money?"
- For the last week or so I've been trying to get help/advice from them. I managed to have 1 person arrange for some else to call me back within a few days. And they have since left a message on my mobile voicemail yesterday, and sent an email with a link to social housing.
Ive been unable to get back through to them on the phone today. As had other calls to make as well. Benefits line, council lines, housing numbers, estate/letting agents for advice an tips etc, charities as well. 1 maybe able to help (a trust, that helps folks in qualifying industries) with 1 months rent if I can get a tenancy agreement paperwork sent over to them from a lettings agent, as well as bank statement(s) (which I've PDFed and sent over evidence to support other things, all done today) .. But I'm not sure how that's going to work out as they have to still get permission to give/grant it to me. But If i can get 1 months help for that then It's a massive help.
I say I'm not sure how that will go as the estate/letting agent I have spoken to has already told me they wont handle rental assistance IF I had any in the 1st place. But If the charity are able to help me out then surely they (letting agents) won't really mind...

"if you will release money when your house is sold you could approach a local removal firm and explain you will get money from the sale of your house but don't have it upfront. "
- Unfortunately I've tried a couple of local removers and they have all said they need money upfront so they can 'book' their vans etc.. And they can't just invoice me instead.. Otherwise that would be 1 massive problem completely solved.. But I will ask the sols if they can be invoiced from a removal firm. And if so that's a great idea ty And I will also enquire with the estate/ lettings agent(s) if it is a matter of scepticism and, see if they're ok invoicing the sols..

" A few large items that are no good e.g. an old mattress can probably be arranged for collection from your council cheaper than a skip."
- Great Idea. I will try and contact the councils environmental waste dept and see if they can help and offer any other advice there too.
As for the benefit question It does appear I am only entitled to JSA fortnightly.

Again thanks everyone for brainstorming. I really appreciate the help and ideas. Thank you.

tlc678910

Hi OP just had a look at gov.uk budgeting loans. Can be used for rent in advance and moving house but you have to have been on a qualifying benefit for at least 6 months (income based JSA counts). Does that fit your circumstances?

EDIT: the amounts you can borrow seem quite low but I guess every little helps

An extra thought OP (and I wouldn't want you to put your security/personal safety at risk so exercise caution with offers of help) but if you were happy to say your general geographic location e.g. I'm Worcestershire it is possible that someone reading might know of a community group/support service that can be of help.

todayisagreatday

I know this is only a few £ but sign up to some of the survey sites on here recommended. Great way to make some cash easily. I earned £2 the other day on hold to Scottish Power but putting my phone on speakerphone and doing 2 on the internet whilst on hold. It all adds up!

You say you don't have a credit card at the moment, well if you want to go down this option, just apply now it's 5 mins max for an application and you'll get a card very soon if successful.

alice2911

Do whatever you can to make money

Mayflower0

Thanks tlc some good ideas. I took your advice and enquired about those budgeting loans and applied for 1. Can take a good few weeks but hopefully If I get 1 it will be a £300 loan to be repaid fortnightly.
And you're right every penny helps right now & thankfully I made £10 down the indoor market on some jeans and I'm taking more on another day. Also sold a couple of items on a selling app for a few more quid. Hopefully I can save enough and quickly for a deposit on something touch wood.
I'm currently in Manchester. And right now I don't think I'm too fussed where I end up after this as long as I can get there safely with my sanity in check & with a warm bed