We are going to be homeless in 6 days and I'm scared..........

[zephyrcat]

I don't know what to do. I don't know how to deal with it. I don't want to deal with it. I want to be 'safe' in our home and most of all I want my children to have a roof over their heads, and for DD to be able to stay at her school and move to her 'big school' in september with her friends.

I've spoken to 2 housing advisors and been given completely conflicting advice. I don't know who else to talk to and I've got all kinds of horrid scenarios in my mind about where we're going to end up. :(

[ggglimpopo]

supportive bump for you

You need custardo....

[NomDePlume]

How scary, zeph . I assume you've taken all the legal advice you can afford ? Have you been to the CAB ? What about family, can anyone put you up in the interim, to save you having to go through being put into emergency accomodation ?

[gigglinggoblin]

have you been in touch with your local councillor? my friends gran is a councillor and often takes on cases where people need help and arent getting it. i dont know what the official line is or how they can help exactly but might be worth a try?

[BettySpaghetti]

Do you have a Housing Rights organisation in your area? They give independent advice and are usually pretty good.

Hope you get something sorted ZC

[Carmenere]

So sorry for you! What od the housing officers say?

[zephyrcat]

Sorry wasn't being ignorant - computer crashed! I've just spoken to the housing officer again and this time he says they can't throw us out that quick because the notice was a '21' which means they have to give us 6 months altogether because a 3 month tenancy isn't strictly 'legal'. Yesterday they told me it was and they can serve any notice they want at any time. I'm so confused!

We haven't got any money for legal advice because dp has just started a new job and done a month in hand which is why we haven't got 1800.00 to give them.

[NomDePlume]

Yes, can you write to your local MP ? Rally a bit of support ?

[fondant4000]

Now you have the housing officer, keep in contact with her and arrange to see her about what has happened.

I found the local council housing office extremely helpful when we were under threat of eviction. It's in their interest because they don't want you to become homeless and end up being their responsibility, so they'll do all they can to keep you where you are.

Ours were even prepared to help us with any court action that the landlord was going to take.

Even if you do get a proper notice, you still have time to sort things out with your landlord and/or take plenty of time to sort out somewhere else.

Hopefully your dh will get settled in his job, regular income, and you'll either be able to come to an arrangement with your landlord or move somewhere else in your own time.

I know it's really, really stressful and extremely worrying (I've never had such an awful time), but these things don't happen as quick as landlords would like! You have got time, and you can take control of the situation.

[zephyrcat]

Thank you - that is really reassuring. The notice was seved in April and I know that legally they have to give you 2 months - which is next week so that's why I'm panicking about the timescale... even though the Estate Agents said that the notice would become void once we paid the extra 600 on the 3months rent - which we did - apparently they are allowed to change their minds and say that the notice still stands

I've got an appointment with the housing officer tomorrow. He's just told me that their notice would have a hard time standing up in court but if they hasve to take us to court to get us out that will effect any application for future housing from a housing association or similar won;t it?

What would I write to the local MP? I hadn't even thought of that!

[fondant4000]

I'm not a housing expert - just someone who's been through the same sort of thing.

Our landlady gave us a scrap of paper asking us to leave in 6 weeks and post the keys through the door :o

Our housing officer said that this notice was not legal and would not stand up in court, and helped us write a letter to the landlady's solicitor - using all the right terms - to explain why the notice was not legal. It was scary us having to write to their solicitor, but in the end I'm glad because it made us feel like we had some control over the situation.

When they knew we'd got legal advice (which the housing officer is, just not a solicitor), they had to withdraw the notice and start again. that gave us breathing space to sort some things out ourselves, and get ready for any possible court action.

I have to say that Shelterline were also very, very helpful, and useful for checking the odd point with if the housing officer wasn't available.

Court action in itself won't affect your chances with the council or Housing Assoc - in fact councils will not usually pick up responsibility unless you have been through the court, as you still have a chance of remaining where you are - their preferred option.

The court will look at stuff like your willingness to pay any arrears, or make arrangements etc. they do not automatically take the side of the landlord.

The council and HA are more likely to look carefully at why you ended up homeless - i.e. was it your fault? Again, any attempts you made to rectify your situation, and your personal circumstances (i.e you had a temporary financial problem, which would have been resolved and you were not deliberately not paying rent) will also be considered.

But please, please don't take my word as gospel! Talk to both Shelterline (especially about rehousing by HA/council) and rely on your housing officer - they are often really good at what they do! :)

[Tortington]

zeph am not sure what to advise - sk something specific and i will see what i can find out.

i take it your in private rented.

have you filled in a housing app with council

remember council dont want you bothering them either - youhave to be strong and very insistant - everyone has an ulterior agenda - its about deadlines and key performance indicators. its about shortening waiting lists and government targets.

what its rarely about is someone actually looking for the best option for your family - so my love, as hard as it is you are the only one who has to make things happen.

for gods sake get independant advice - cAB or shelter. do not believe the council.

[Janos]

Zephyr, have you been in touch with Shelter?

They were very helpful to me when I found myself in a similar situation.
\link{http://www.shelter.org.uk} Being homeless.

You need to have a legal notice to quit from your landlord before they can make you leave. If you tell Shelter what you have received they will be able to advise - I think they can also arrange emergency accomodation.

Please, please give them a ring. They were incredibly helpful to me.

Legally, if you are homless the council are obliged to help you.

Hope you're all OK x

[Janos]

Sorry can't do links :

england.shelter.org.uk/home/index.cfm

[Mytwopenceworth]

Only a court can physically evict you. You do not have to move out until then. We are in this situation. We have been given a notice to quit and i have gone to the council and put us on the waiting list - can also go and present us as homeless a month before any final court date to evict, that gives even higher priority but the downside is they can put you in temp accom, or offer grot and you have to take it.

I also spoke to the housing associations, a lot of them take nominations from the council, but some operate their own lists too, and its worth going on that as well.

Private is harder if your situation is not ideal, but it's doable. There is an organisation in our area - may be nationwide, im not sure, that guarentees your deposit if you are on low income.

Being made homeless with kids in tow is about the highest priority you can get. you WILL get help but you may have to avoid being fussy! Any roof is better than none and temporary acommodation is just that - temporary! You would be rehoused.

Speak to CAB and to shelter for advice.

It is terrifying but it will be ok. And you are not alone in this. xx