Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have spent four hours crying?

37 replies

ImSoEffed · 15/05/2023 18:31

I know it's not really an AIBU but I just need to get everything off of my chest as I am so upset and stressed. I've just been given notice to leave my rented property, so I have two months to find somewhere for me and DS to live, as a single parent about to start my new job on £18,500. Rent round here is over £750.00 for a two bed, and properties barely even come on the market before they're gone. It took me 6 months to find where I am now. I'm completely fucked.
I have no savings, credit cards are all close to maxed out, I thought things were finally on the up with getting a new job, but clearly they're not. DS is about to start school in September and I'm going to end up having to move out of the immediate local area which is going to make it hard for family to help out, which then makes childcare for my new job even harder. I've cried most of the afternoon and I have no idea what I'm going to do.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Whatabouteverything · 17/05/2023 10:38

ImSoEffed · 16/05/2023 07:01

It is low unfortunately, but the profession I'm trying to get into does tend to have very low starting salarys and this was the only job I could find with good progression and hours that would fit around school wrap around care. So whilst it is low now, I'm hoping that it will pay off long term v a 40 hour week on minimum wage now with no progression 😬 that's what I'm hoping anyway!
Luckily it is topped up a little with universal credit

But yes, the main issue isn't as much affordability, I'm pretty good at making my wage go far, but the lack of housing.

I'm going to call the council today

Show quote history

Sorry cross posted! Good luck OP.

Whatabouteverything · 17/05/2023 10:37

AllMyExesWearRolexes · 15/05/2023 21:40

Ref the credit cards, contact Stepchange, they can potentially freeze interest and arrange a repayment schedule. That may give you a bit of breathing space each month.
Good luck, hope you find something suitable.

She can't do that assuming she works in finance as she mentioned a regulated profession. OP have you looked at other jobs? Earning 18k in finance is below any minimums I've ever seen - even a cashier in a bank branch earns more.

Original poster
ImSoEffed · 17/05/2023 10:32

I couldn't believe it when I saw it on the news! I suspect this may be why I was served it when I was, insider knowledge perhaps?
Anyway, I had a stroke of luck where a relative is able to help me financially with paying rent up front, making a more attractive prospective Tennant so hopefully this makes it easier to find somewhere

OP posts:
Fishonabike68 · 17/05/2023 06:22

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-65612842.amp

Apparently the news today is that no fault evictions are going to be banned. OP have you been served a section 21 notice? It looks like it's going to be made illegal today, so they'll be on very tricky territory. Keep an eye on the news, even if they technically don't need to withdraw their notice they may struggle to enforce their section 21 now.

SquishyGloopyBum · 16/05/2023 08:04

I don't think that break clause is right- please get advice on that. It might give you an extra month which could help.

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 16/05/2023 07:59

Please speak to shelter and check out that break clause with them, your landlord might be trying to pull a fast one.

Divorcedalongtime · 16/05/2023 07:38

I read this the other day and yesterday I found myself in the same situation… it’s stressful, so few properties in my price range out there. Hard on one income. My tummy is just one big knot of worry

Fishonabike68 · 16/05/2023 07:34

"I'm just hoping the landlord allows some flexibility as at least it would allow me to get my first wage in from my new job which would ease things a little."

If that's what you're comfortable doing, you could always try and negotiate to stay longer. Did you say your tenancy was until August? In your shoes I'd be tempted just to tell them I'd be staying until I'd found something suitable. It takes months to enforce an eviction, and if they have your money already, that strengthens your position even more.

Original poster
ImSoEffed · 16/05/2023 07:01

Soonenough · 16/05/2023 06:36

So sorry that you are going through this. I have no solutions to offer . And I gather that it is a question of availability rather than affordability. What jumped out at me and I find really awful is that salary you quote. It is extremely low ? I hope the career progression is swift for you.
It seems like extremely short notice too.

It is low unfortunately, but the profession I'm trying to get into does tend to have very low starting salarys and this was the only job I could find with good progression and hours that would fit around school wrap around care. So whilst it is low now, I'm hoping that it will pay off long term v a 40 hour week on minimum wage now with no progression 😬 that's what I'm hoping anyway!
Luckily it is topped up a little with universal credit

But yes, the main issue isn't as much affordability, I'm pretty good at making my wage go far, but the lack of housing.

I'm going to call the council today

OP posts:
Welcometotheterrorzone · 16/05/2023 06:42

All the people suggesting 'find a friend with a spare room' this lady and her son need a home! A proper home for longer than six months. Contact the council, ask them what they suggest. It might be worth being housed in temp accommodation because you will end up in a more permanent house/flat eventually.

Soonenough · 16/05/2023 06:36

So sorry that you are going through this. I have no solutions to offer . And I gather that it is a question of availability rather than affordability. What jumped out at me and I find really awful is that salary you quote. It is extremely low ? I hope the career progression is swift for you.
It seems like extremely short notice too.

Namechange224422 · 16/05/2023 05:53

Do you have any friends with a spare room?

Id happily let a friend stay for a couple of months in a situation like this.

Also, can you try speaking to your letting agency again? They know that you’re a good tenant so might be willing to do an early viewing on anything new which comes in.

Original poster
ImSoEffed · 16/05/2023 05:43

No opportunity to work from home at all. With DS starting school, his dad living I'm this area, and my family who I rely on for help with childcare all living locally I don't think moving too much further out is going to be possible. I'm looking at cheaper areas within the same area but tbh, within around an hour of here, housing is really high demand.

I have popped a similar message on the local Facebook pages, maybe not quite so well written, so fingers crossed that leads to something.

I'm just hoping the landlord allows some flexibility as at least it would allow me to get my first wage in from my new job which would ease things a little.

OP posts:
caringcarer · 15/05/2023 23:15

Where are you in the country OP?

GADDay · 15/05/2023 22:23

GADDay · 15/05/2023 22:19

What is working well where I live is joining a local community Facebook page/school FB page and posting a rental wanted ad on there.

I have found that the well worded posts get great traction. They include an introduction - a bit about you and your DS, a short synopsis of what you are looking for. Offer the budget you can afford and make sure you let prospective LLs know that you would be a fab tenant.

Would you consider this?

Something like this

To have spent four hours crying?
Fishonabike68 · 15/05/2023 22:20

Long story short, we moved out 18 months after the first eviction notice, as the landlord would have had a fight on her hands if she'd tried to force anything. Obviously cases are different, but you might be able to drag things out for a lot longer than they'd like. Landlord was also selling up. In the end, we made a big life change and moved to the other side of the U.K. without them forcing it. We knew they wanted us out!

GADDay · 15/05/2023 22:19

What is working well where I live is joining a local community Facebook page/school FB page and posting a rental wanted ad on there.

I have found that the well worded posts get great traction. They include an introduction - a bit about you and your DS, a short synopsis of what you are looking for. Offer the budget you can afford and make sure you let prospective LLs know that you would be a fab tenant.

Would you consider this?

Fishonabike68 · 15/05/2023 22:12

I'm so sorry you're going through this. Happened to my family just before covid hit and luckily the pandemic brought us some breathing space after a few weeks. The first thing I did was write to the letting agency and then the landlord. I also called Shelter.

Please get all the advice you can from Citizens Advice, Shelter etc. I'd also consider contacting your MP or councillors given all the talk about scrapping section 21 evictions. The fact you have children and are obviously trying to better yourself with a new job will definitely help your case. Our experience was so stressful at the start, so I can really empathise. It's a real sign they need a serious overhaul of renting and housing in this country. I'd even consider contacting local media if you're up for it. It's so unfair on you.

Longer term, could you live somewhere there's slightly less housing demand? Is your job possible from home at all? Obviously better for you that you're settled somewhere for your child starting school.

Original poster
ImSoEffed · 15/05/2023 21:58

YouWonJayne · 15/05/2023 21:55

If they say no then insist you have your overpayment paid back ASAP so you have a deposit for the next property.

Have you any CCJs or IVAs OP? As estate agents tend to do a soft credit search they won’t see your credit cards or other debts

Show quote history

No CCJs etc, I have quite a good credit rating.
Generally I look like quite a good tenant, but when it's such an overcrowded market, landlords would rather rent to a couple with no kids than a single parent I guess.

OP posts:
YouWonJayne · 15/05/2023 21:55

ImSoEffed · 15/05/2023 21:52

Yeah selling up. So much for "I won't sell, and if I do I only sell to buy to let landlords" which is what he told me 6 months ago. I've asked the agency to ask if he would be willing to allow me to stay on a rolling tenancy if it takes longer to sell than he anticipated, as its not really the most desirable type of property in the area.

Show quote history

If they say no then insist you have your overpayment paid back ASAP so you have a deposit for the next property.

Have you any CCJs or IVAs OP? As estate agents tend to do a soft credit search they won’t see your credit cards or other debts

Original poster
ImSoEffed · 15/05/2023 21:52

TankFlyBossW4lk · 15/05/2023 21:49

Have you spoken to the LL? Not the estate agent. If you've paid and you're a good tenant to have, a lot of LLs would want to keep you for at least a bit longer. Are they selling up?

Yeah selling up. So much for "I won't sell, and if I do I only sell to buy to let landlords" which is what he told me 6 months ago. I've asked the agency to ask if he would be willing to allow me to stay on a rolling tenancy if it takes longer to sell than he anticipated, as its not really the most desirable type of property in the area.

OP posts:
YouWonJayne · 15/05/2023 21:52

Definitely look for the break clause. Usually you know about this on signing

TankFlyBossW4lk · 15/05/2023 21:49

Have you spoken to the LL? Not the estate agent. If you've paid and you're a good tenant to have, a lot of LLs would want to keep you for at least a bit longer. Are they selling up?

AllMyExesWearRolexes · 15/05/2023 21:40

Ref the credit cards, contact Stepchange, they can potentially freeze interest and arrange a repayment schedule. That may give you a bit of breathing space each month.
Good luck, hope you find something suitable.

Whisper23 · 15/05/2023 21:32

Sheepsheepeverywhere · 15/05/2023 21:28

10 weeks was the legal time frame we had. Ll gave us a glowing reference as self employed on paper I wasn't a great prospect! Been at new home 8 years now..

With all due respect, the rental market was very different 8 years ago.