Staying with a friend

kingfisherblue

SianG95 wrote: »

Just looking for some advice really.

I currently live in a horrible flat, it has mice -have you tried anything to rid the flat of mice? There are products that are available, but obviously you have to be careful with children living there. The local council should be able to advise. Contact the Environmental Health department.

, mold, - again, what have you done to help yourself? There are sprays on the market for mould and mildew, and opening the windows can help greatly. Otherwise, try EH as above.

broken windows, my front door is broken - safety issues. I'm surprised that the council has not insisted that these are fixed. Is it a private rent? My council has a department that helps tenants of privately rented properties, and they have actually prosecuted landlords who have failed in their duties. I am assuming that you are not responsible for the breakages. If you are, then you should pay for them to be fixed.

and this list goes on and on and on. I have been in contact with my landlord nothing has been done, I have been in contact with the council and they came and assessed the flat and fixed a leak under the bath that I didnt know I had and told me they cant do anything else. I currently receive housing benefit, Income support, child tax credit and child benefit. But the state of the flat has caused my children's asthma to get worse and worse to the point where my son was hospitalized over it and Ia causing my mental health to deteriorate drastically. I stayed with my mum for a couple of weeks and their health drastically improved. However I can't stay there because there is just not enough room for me and the twins! My friend, who owns a 1 bedroom flat, said we could move in with him. The bedroom is big enough for a double bed and the twins two toddler beds and he will sleep on the sofa bed in the front room. But he said we would have to pay rent. I was wondering if HB would still cover me even if I moved in with a friend who owns their property. Also I don't want them to think I'm moving in with a partner (he's gay so I don't really see it going anywhere lol) I would just be staying there until I find somewhere more suitable for me and the kids. Because I really don't want to put my kids health on the line anymore and my mental health isnt helping anyone. I really cant live there anymore but I don't want to leave and put my kids in a financially unstable situation. Any support, advice or information would be so so greatly appreciated.

TIA x

Comments in coloured font on quoted post above. Sorry that I can't help with the other things.

Honeylife

The one bedroom place you are proposing to move into would be considered "overcrowded" as your children would required their own room and the adults who are not related and not in a relationship would each require their own room.

Small children in a close environment can be active and if they are restricted - miserable. If the other adult is unprepared for this it can put a strain on the relationship and tolerance is difficult in the home where you expect down time. You could be asked to leave sooner than expected.

You would not be able to claim any Housing benefit without a written Lodger Agreement. ( If you disregard the chronic overcrowding you would be a Lodger)