We are being evicted, some advice please...... the date has arrived......

beanielou

But worth checking BM.
But dont be disappointed.

blue_monkey_2

Yes, at this stage anything is worth a try so I will still do that

JayneC

Hi again,

Just a thought but it may be worth asking the council if there are any local housing advice or tenancy support agencies in your area. They are usually voluntary sector organisations so vary from each area but I would imagine they'll be something. i live in a rural area and there's 2 here so i'm betting there's something there.

They will ensure that you are fully aware of your rights and tenancy support can help with finances too - benefits checks and help with budgetting etc. It's worth asking. Your council should know or CAB or library even.

It is worth going to a specialist housing advice agency as some solicitors etc won't necessarily know all the finer detail of housing law.

Tenancy support will often visit you at home too, which might help in your situation.

Jayne X

JayneC

Also you need to apply to benefits (used to be Social Security Office now Jobcentre plus) for a Social Fund Grant or Loan, it's nothing to do with Social Services.

Social Services may help a family with a 'child in need' if they absolutely needed a bond but you are entitled to housing from Local Authority so that wouldn't apply and you would have to have a long and tedious assessment first anyway!

As I said previously, some housing authorities (council) offer a bond scheme or bond guarantee scheme (where they promise to pay landlord if needed but don't actually hand over the cash!), but in my experience they are usually of a fixed amount which generally doesn't cover the average bond required (here it's about half the amount of the bond required !)

I would hang in there as you will be homeless and in priority need, so the council must house you.

mumoftwins

blue_monkey wrote: »

Thanks Jayne. you have a smiley face now and reading your post I can imagine that it was a HUGE weight off your shoulders. I think that you have to make the decision that is right sometimes, even if it does not feel like it at the time.

Thanks also for the advice on the rent thing. I think they want to make sure we are genuine as my LL is my mum - I can understand that, I hate the 'not knowing' bit and not being able to plan. I am just concentrating on today and tomorrow and trying to get as much as I can done. I really thought I was going to get enough points and everything would be la de dah and that next week a letter would come through - LOL and then I woke up but I am going to let them know of the court date as soon as the letter comes through.

I am dreading it, maybe you can tell me, what happens in the court room, I am dreading it as it will be mum and sister against me (will hubby HAVE to attend if he is named too) and will we be able to take the children in. I thought he could wait outside with them but I am guessing I would have to take my son if it was a morning appointment as I would not guarentee being able to get him from school. Can you tell me any more of what happens. My sister is so nasty and I am dreading that she is going to get in there and just rip me to pieces, what is the judge going to think? I am so embarrassed, I have been avoiding all the neighbours as I can't bear anyone to ask me anything and I have told the EA not to mention anything to the children for fear of worrying them, I probably sound neurotic LOL. I am just finding the whole thing of being evicted by my mother so humiliating.

BM, the not knowing and not being able to plan is awful and I totally understand this but councils just do not give you info right until the last minute!

Re: court appearance - mine was like this:

There was a representative from Shelter in the court who I approached and he came into the room with me. The room was like an office with a long table - on one side was the judge and opposite sat the LL and his solicitor, the Shelter rep and myself. The Judge just read out the details for possession and then granted it. There was no discussion about reasons for the eviction and no 'slating' of my character, he then granted the possession order and that was it!

It would be best if the children didn't go in with you as there really isn't enough room and they would distract everyone so it may be best to leave them with someone whilst you go in. I-T came in with me so maybe your hubby could too or a good friend?

It doesn't take long and there is no reason to worry as the Judge won't allow any disturbances (ie: your sister - she probably won't be allowed in either).

blue_monkey_2

Phew, thanks MoT, that is a great weight off my mind. It should be just DS, I will see when the date comes through, hoping it will be half term as my younger sister will look after them. My other siser is the one doing the court work for mum so she will probably go in as well as mum does not have a clue about anything. I know she appraoched a solicitor and was quoted £1000 (as my sister then called me and told ME I would HAVE to pay it as Mum has no money and was doing me a favour by evicting me!!). When I spoke to the council the other day they told me I would end up having to pay my mums court costs as well so I am not saying anything and letting my sister do the work. If she knows that I'll have to pay £1000 solicitor fees then she get one, so I will leave it as it is and then I'll only have to pay the £150 it has cost them in court fees. I guess now I just have to keep on waiting. We are starting to get as much as we can into storage next weekend and move the kdis toys out of the garden and the like. Everything that makes it easier really, we are just offloading whatever we can onto people.

Thanks once again, will catch up soon. xx

blue_monkey_2

Thanks Jayne, that is most helpful, I was not aware of things like this so I will have a look up tomorrow for some more info. Any help is appreciated at this minute. xx

penguin83

Hi bluemonkey sorry to hear of your problems. My son is Autistic too so I can relate to your problems with him. Not sure if it has already been suggested but have a look at the website below - Community Legal Service - there is also a calculator on the site which will tell you if you will qualify for legal aid.
x x

CLS Direct

blue_monkey_2

Hiya penguin, some useful info on that page thanks, just had a quick look. No, not eligable for Leagal Aid, my husband lost his job last year and they screwed my tax credit up early part of this year and did not get anything for 6 months so we are getting more money through backdated payments at the moment - it'll drop back down to £40 a month next year but they don't see this for now. We don't get legal aid but my husband is still in the union from where he used to work and he can get legal work done through them if we get stuck so it is not to bad. Thanks for the link though, will have a look tomorrow when it is not so late and I have more time.

silvercar

To check out the housing benefit situation.

This web page tells you the size of property you are entitled to:

http://www.therentservice.gov.uk/online-services/room-calculator.asp

and this page tells you the amount of housing benefit that equates to for your area:

http://www.therentservice.gov.uk/documents/corporate_publications/trs-valuation-report-2006-2007.pdf