Lost

Velli

mad_spaniel said:

It might be worth posting on the Benefits section. Tell them your age, if single/ part of a couple, savings , which London authority, rent. There may be something else, but I'm no expert. Poppy and Calcotti  are usually pretty good at giving accurate benefits advice with links to good web sites . They may also refer you to a benefits calculator to input your details. 

NameUnavailable said:

Speak to someone about your benefits entitlement given the current situation. You may be able to get additional housing benefit.

Also speak to you LL, explain that you are currently seeking another job and see what they suggest - they may well allow you to pay a lower rent for a month or two to give you breathing space.

Good luck with the job hunting - look at retailers who are busy at present i.e. supermarkets etc., and other possible roles that you might be able to do if only as a stop-gap.

Thank you both for the advice. Yep Ive read through that section extensively over the weekend and have had a look at the various calculators showing an entitlement of £900. Will definitely pursue the other things mentioned. Thank you

Velli

tacpot12 said:

Theartfullodger's advice about calmly explaining the situation and seeing what can be agreed is the best approach. The landlord and letting agent won't be happy about the fact you can't pay, but at least you are communicating with them; many tenants just bury their heads and this makes it more stressful for both parties. If the landlord won't agree to end the contract early, you run the risk of being evicted, but if you are paying half the rent and agree that you will repay the arrears as soon as you are able to, the landlord might not move to evict you immediately. This will buy time to find another job.

You might also look into the idea of getting a lodger, but check your tenancy agreement, or ask for permission from the landlord to do this.  

Sorry Im completely green to renting so please excuse my next questions. If the landlord wont agree to an early surrender knowing that I now no have no job or way to pay why would he bother with eviction? Also does eviction have any long lasting effects like say being bankrupt does? I would only owe £1500 which is about the amount that is securely deposited so wouldnt that be a viable option? Lastly (not that I intend stay unemployed) is renting without a job even possible?

greatcrested

As others have suggested, speaking to the LL is best. Far better than the LL finding out when the rent arrears start mounting up.

If you have somewhee else you can go (a cheaper room, friends/family etc) hen an Early Surrender is the best option. This requires the agreement of the LL. The terms /conditions are whatever you mutually agree, which might be one or more of
:*The tenany simply ends on an agreed date

* the tenancy (and rent) continues till a replacement tenant acceptable to the LL is found (whether by you or the LL)

* you pay the LL's marketing costs

* you forfeit your deposit

Whatever you agree, get it confirmed in writing.

An alternative is to offer 50% of the rent - the LL might accept this, especially in view of the following:

If you cannot reach agreement, the LL is likely to serve a 8Notice for rent arrears to evict you. This currently takes time due to the overloaded courts and new rules. This is time-consuming for the LL, and since you are likely to leave in 3 months anyway may no be worth his while.

You will continue to owe rent, but ultimately this could be taken from your deposit.

No - eviction has no lasting impact and is not recorded on your credit file - though of course you'll syruggle to get a positive LL's reference from him for your next rental....

steampowered

It is not going to be possible for the landlord to evict you until the end of the tenancy. Evicting people takes months.

The first thing I would do is contact the letting agent/landlord to let them know of your situation, let them know that you have lost your job and can therefore no longer afford the rent. Ask if in the circumstances they would consider marketing the property.

I don't think there is any point asking the letting agent if you can use the deposit to pay the rent. Their answer will be "no". Instead, you should say that due to losing your job you will only have £x to pay towards rent, and the rest will have to come out of your deposit. Be honest about the situation but don't suggest there is room for negotiation. 

It is worth getting another job ASAP at somewhere like a supermarket, even if it is somewhere temporary. 

steampowered

Velli said:

 Also does eviction have any long lasting effects like say being bankrupt does? I would only owe £1500 which is about the amount that is securely deposited so wouldnt that be a viable option? Lastly (not that I intend stay unemployed) is renting without a job even possible?

Eviction does not have any long lasting effects. Though, you are going to find it difficult to get a reference for your next property.

There is really no point in the landlord starting eviction proceedings if you are intending to leave when the tenancy finishes. It will take far longer than 3 months for the landlord to give notice to terminate the tenancy, and then go to court. 

Mikazaru

Someone on the benefits forum would be better able to advise but would you be eligible for a Discretionary Housing Payment? That may help with the shortfall until you are able to move.

amandacat

Sorry to hear this, the same thing happened to my friend a few months back. He was honest with his landlord and they agreed to let him leave early with the cost of re advertising the property taken from his deposit. It was quickly re rented, he lost a couple hundred from his deposit but was able to move out. It will depend on your LL but I’d say most will want to get it re let to someone who can afford it than risk losing three months rent and going through court proceedings. 

numbercruncher8

Would it take this long to find a new job? 
Assuming that the £400 covers all the bills like food the shortfall is £125 a week until you get a new job.

If you're in London there must be some earnings streams you can start relatively quickly. Stuff like food delivery, I've seen guys on regular bicycles delivering. If you have a lot of time on the internet, £50 a week doing the 'up your income' type stuff is certainly possible (although under minimum wage equivalent), stuff like matched betting is not too demanding to get £50 a week either (needs caution, must know what you're doing).

Obviously the job market isn't great but there may be other things you can do that brings in just a little cash while you're hunting. 

jimbog

In London: supermarket or warehouse work? Job agencies?

AdrianC

Local Housing Allowance for a 1-bed flat in Hillingdon is £800, £925 or £1000/mo depending on where in the borough you are.

https://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/article/2407/Local-housing-allowance