Wanting to "better" us but need help

[Thaigal]

Currently I live with my 2 sons in a horrible little council house on a horrible rough estate with horrible schools and a horrible atmosphere!

After christmas I am hoping to start part time work, I ultimately want to move into a private rented house. I have seen a lovely one in a perfect area for £395 a month, is this excessive? I am hoping to get help with the rent even though it will be privately let and I know they're funny about helping people who are paying more than they need to...

I have been on "entitledto" but the amount they say I'd get seems a little unrealistic, according to them I would be bringing in around £1400 a month working 20 hours a week inc working tax credits, child tax credits, mainanance, child benefit and housing benefit, does this seem unrealistic?

I'm so desperate to move from this area, please help if you can

[ProfessorGrammaticus]

I think that is realistic, depending how much maintenance you get. Would you be able to meet any shortfall between your rent and your housing benefit from that?

[ScareyCaligulaCorday]

Depends on what the salary is and your childcare costs are, but no it doesn't sound too unrealistic.

[Thaigal]

I get £140 maintanance a month.

If this figure was right I would be able to make up the shortfall on the rent and have a decent ammount left over each month after all bills were paid etc!

[charliecat]

I would go and see a lone parents advisor at the job centre. they can help you work out what scenario suits you best.

[ScareyCaligulaCorday]

Ooh yes good idea the job centre advisors are really good if you are currently out of work. They do you a proper calculation.

[mysonsmummy]

please think very carefully before giving up your council property. by renting privately i would worry that the owner might decide to sell up, move him himself you get the drift. also if you gave up the council place would the coucil re-house you if the situation changed. maybe cos i live in london and council houses are like gold to get and its only if there is no chance of the council giving you a place that you go private. however, if where you are is really bad you have to do something. do you have 'homeswap' in your area?

my best friend lives on a depressing estate drug dealers sitting on her stairs when her teenage daughters are coming in and out. she knows she has no chance of getting off it. and its depressing for her and the girls. if its your only option then good luck and its great your not just sitting back your looking at a route out.

[ditzymum]

I agree with MSM - I private rented for 2 years and my landlord suddenly wanted to move back into the flat when he split with his wife. After a lot of hassle I had to go into temporary housing with my 2 boys as we were effectively homeless and it was a horrible place. Luckily I got a council house shortly after, and now I'd never dream of leaving it!

Could you talk to your housing advisor and maybe ask to be transferred, or try homeswap as MSM suggested?

By the way £395 a month sounds very cheap compared to here. My 2 bed flat was 650 a month!

[Thaigal]

The house that I'm looking at is owned by an estate agents, they're very well known in the area (Larards).
The main reason I want to move is for the schools, since my son has been at his current school he has been punched in the stomach, smacked in the face with a bat (broke his nose), kicked in the groin, repeatdly called "gay" and excluded from the other kids 'social circles'. Today his friend had his head split open and had to be taken to hospital and they're only 7!!

The secondry schools around here are hell holes and I just want my kids to be brought up in a normal area I know it's a gamble but I feel that something has to be done.

A transfer would just leave me in a similar area. If it got that bad that I was homeless I could get another council house too...although once I'm away it would have to be a very last resort to come back.

[winnie]

thaigal, I would think very carefully before giving up your relatively secure rented accomodation for private rented although I understand your reasons.

Most private rented properties have only a 6 months tenancy agreement. Most want a huge deposit (one months rent +) and after that first 6 months unless you get contracts updated you can be given notice of two months at any time.

Also, if you are on benefits (I am assuming you are as you talk about getting a part time job after Xmas) you will find it much harder being taken on by letting agents.

Sorry to be so negative. I hope things work out for you

[hoolagirl]

Hi, my dad rented privately for years and only ever moved when he chose too.
A lot of landlords have bought properties to let and would like long term tenants.
I say go for it and why wait till after christmas!!
Get down to the job centre and see a lone parent advisor and they will tell you EXACTLY what housing benefit and tax credits you will get down to the last penny!
Go for it !!

[DelGirl]

I don't think i'd be in a hurry to give a council house tbh but i've never been in your situation so I don't know how it is for you. Could you try and swap or is that very unlikely due to where you live? It's hard to know what is a reasonable rent in your area as every place is different. Sorry not much help.

[DelGirl]

just read everyone elses comments now including yours so feel free to ignore me

[rosie79]

£395 a month doesn't sound excessive at all! What the housing office will do is check that it is a reasonable rent to pay for a property in that area and if it is they will help with the rent.

BTW I wish I could find a house for £395! The norm around here is £800 for a two bedroom place!

Go and speak to your lone parent adviser, they are very helpful in my experience!