Homeless with an IVA

STMc

Hi
I am posting about a friends situation, I want to support her in the best way I can and am asking for some guidance please. Summary: single female, currently working full time but at risk of losing job because of sickness absences (due to stress and anxiety). Declared a IVA from June last year, housesitting for a friend paying £400 a month towards bills for about 18 months-this is informal and with no tenancy agreement. Managing on a monthly hand to mouth existence with no collateral behind her.

Been advised yesterday she has 8 weeks to move out as house is to be put onto the market.

She had previous to the IVA approached the local (district) council re housing to no avail and its fair to say that her anxiety has increased to a suicidal level.

What steps should I walk alongside her to try to get her some sort of housing ( aware she has no deposit or security, her credit rating will be compromised plus she is at significant risk of losing her employment).

Thank you in anticipation

foxy-stoat

Speak to the local council about housing vulnerable adults, there should be a department for this. She may need a referral from her doctor.

sal_III

As far as the housing is concerned - House/flat shares often come up less than £400 pcm, bills included even in parts of London. They rarely require more than a weeks deposit and do little to no background checks.

Can't comment on the mental health front.

STMc

Thank you-shes been 'house sitting' paying £400 PCM. The issue is the lack of affordable rooms (which she has done before this house sit) in the area that would enable her to get to work at a reasonable commute cost. Cheaper housing is available an hours train ride away but then the daily commute costs are high (around £60 per week) which takes her over her budget......I'm not sure what impact the IVA has on landlord checks? She has previously approached the district council when she first went into the house sit but they could offer little help at that time (and I'm not holding my breath now) but we will go again with medical evidence outlining her current mental health issues. If there are any other avenues to consider that would be helpful-I've pointed her in the direction of guardian websites-but theres only 1 building available in the county at the moment....

Comms69

STMc wrote: »

Hi
I am posting about a friends situation, I want to support her in the best way I can and am asking for some guidance please. Summary: single female, currently working full time but at risk of losing job because of sickness absences (due to stress and anxiety). Declared a IVA from June last year, housesitting for a friend paying £400 a month towards bills for about 18 months-this is informal and with no tenancy agreement. - She's a tenant. Nothing informal about it. The friend is probably up the creek. Managing on a monthly hand to mouth existence with no collateral behind her.

Been advised yesterday she has 8 weeks to move out as house is to be put onto the market. - That's unfortunate, it's very likely she will not have to move out for many years to come

She had previous to the IVA approached the local (district) council re housing to no avail and its fair to say that her anxiety has increased to a suicidal level.

What steps should I walk alongside her to try to get her some sort of housing ( aware she has no deposit or security, her credit rating will be compromised plus she is at significant risk of losing her employment).

Thank you in anticipation

Why is she even considering moving?

Rosemary7391

I'm not sure this is strictly a housing problem. Whereabouts in the country is she? I'm guessing London from what you're saying..?


Perhaps a post on the bankruptcy board regarding her budget would help - don't know if IVAs can be altered when her circumstances change but they'd know.

sal_III

What are you talking about? Gumtree is full of offers for house shares at £50-70/week bills included all over London (can't imagine it being more expensive in other parts of the country), so well within £400 / month budget.

I wouldn't hold my breath for council accommodation for a single working age person, while there are scores of families with kids on the waiting lists.

sal_III

Comms69 wrote: »

Why is she even considering moving?

Maybe she doesn't want to be an *** hole to a friend who helped her out?

Comms69

sal_III wrote: »

Maybe she doesn't want to be an *** hole to a friend who helped her out?

Maybe.


Ah well, voluntarily homeless; no help from council.

STMc

Because her friend offered her the opportunity to house sit whilst the house was on the market and now its being sold she doesn't want to screw her friend?!!

Comms69

STMc wrote: »

Because her friend offered her the opportunity to house sit whilst the house was on the market and now its being sold she doesn't want to screw her friend?!!

Like I said. It's irrelevant. She wont get help from the council.


She has a valid tenancy, and can stay almost indefinitely. The council wont be housing her when she has a house!