Housing situation

Anon8888

Hello,

I am not really sure where to post this but thought it was more benefit related. I currently live in a 2 bed rental (last 10 years private tenant). I live with my husband and 2 girls and i am currently pregnant.

My husband doesnt work and suffers from mental health issues, alongside this he has gone through gambling/alcohol as a way of coping/ to try and make himself feel better apparently. He hasnt gambled or drank in ages but has been taking cocaine 1/2 times a month for the last year which he is trying to stop but no luck yet. 

Anyway due to his issues, we do not share a bedroom i sleep in the bigger room with my two girls and has been this way for the last year. He struggles to sleep and it disturbs my sleep, alongside the sweating (med side effect i think) and he often needs to go upstairs to get away as he cannot cope with stresses of family life much.

I have been looking for a 3 bed rental (but wanting to stay in this area for family/schools) and no luck for ages they seem to go.  I am on the council list band C as they accepted my husband needs his own bedroom but been on that for a year and still  not close to getting anything. Is there anything else i can do?

I have thought about my husband getting his own place but im his carer and do a lot for him, i doubt he would pay his rent and manage bills, also i would be more worse and left with 3 kids and 2 animals on my own, which i could cope with but as i know he will just run his money away and wont help provide for his kids it seems pointless. (I give him a generous allowance atm) and pay for everyrhing else, save some money for xmas ect.
but at the same time i feel so suffocated in this small house and need space away from my husband the way he is. I am also pregnant (accidental, dreading it tbh but thats a different story) so in october I will be sharing a room with 3 children unless i can get anywhere sorted before this. 

 

pmlindyloo

I am sorry to hear of your situation.

I suspect that social housing is not going to be the answer.

So it will have to be private housing.

It might be worthwhile registering with local letting agents. This way they should alert you to anything new that comes to the market. Also, don’t forget to look in newsagents windows for places. Let all your friends know you are looking too - word of mouth can be successful with finding somewhere to live.

You have not asked for benefit help as such so I am presuming financially things are good.

Please post again if you do require any information about benefits.

Your relationship with your husband may change in the future. At the moment you appear OK to let things carry on as they are.

I hope your husband is getting all the help available.

Jack_bauer24

Cocaine is a class A drug, you need to be careful because police will come and arrest him if they found out. Just my advice! 

He can get 7 years in prison for taking a class A drug. 

https://www.gov.uk/penalties-drug-possession-dealing

stupidaspie

Maybe you could ask the council what the average waiting time is for social housing in your area. Basically, a lot depends on where abouts you are in the country; I think it's normal in the North East for band C to be rehoused within a year or so, but a different story in the South East (for example).