Aibu to just want a home for me and my dc!?

My area is approx £2800 pm for a basic 2 bed flat. Areas vary tremendously.

Hey, sorry you're having such a tough time. Is there anyone who could act as a guarantor for you? As that may make landlords more willing to rent to you. That's what I've ended up doing, although it doesn't solve the problem of extortionate private rents.

Hang in there, sorry it's so shit.

I'm sorry to hear this. Would a refuse be of use, if you went there surely you might qualify for some temporary accommodation? maybe contact somewhere like Woman's aid. Kind thoughts

Sorry! Didn’t see this until now. They can still be your guarantor if retired (particularly if they own their own home) but they’d still need to meet the thresholds with a combination of savings/pension income which is a big ask given the multiples. Agents also vary as to whether they’ll accept multiple guarantors per tenant, or need it to be a single one.Guarantors can can also qualify if they have significant savings.

Well done @chubbycake 👏fingers crossed for a positive outcome for you.

I briefly got my hopes up today when I saw I was in position 1 for a council house... but quickly dropped to position 2.

Ah well, we keep going.

If they have the financial means to pay rent that might also be accepted.

OP please speak to housing. You need a homeless assessment and you need to disclose and be ID'd as a victim of domestic abuse. But stress you cannot stay there. Get a letter from your brother in law if necessary. You need them to find you homeless and give you extra priority on your housing application ASAP. Then you.might get some success if you're only 100 down the list with no priority at all.

If you are wanting help with finding a private rent they do offer bond schemes and know LLS who will accept people who want to rent and will accept the council bond.

I think a guarantor must be in full time employment

@DriedFlowersLiveForever I didn’t jump on anyone. I was wondering why millions of people were on lists waiting to be upset about being offered a secure home for life. You’ve trotted out the old council house/estate clichè which is misinformed and outdated

I can easily understand why it could be upsetting to have to move into council housing.
I currently live in a relatively nice three bedroom home of my choosing in an area that I like.
If I was to split with my husband and I had to move into the council housing my area has to offer I would be devastated. Plenty of regular antisocial behaviour, unkempt houses that are not looked after, huge drink/drug problems, teens out in big groups until all hours of the night, regular visits from the police with sirens blaring at all times of the night....I wouldn't choose to live there, I don't think many people would!
I think social housing is made out to be some kind of utopia on mn, a few people have struck lucky and got a quaint little home in a nice village or a huge flat in an expensive city centre but most social housing is on sprawling estates with massive problems with antisocial behaviour and drug issues.
I don't think it is fair to jump on someone for being upset with what potentially will be a big lifestyle change.

Having worked in tenant vetting, the industry standard maximum for rent is that you need to have a gross annual income of 30x monthly rent. The only way out of that is a guarantor (usually they need to earn 36->42x the monthly rent) or paying upfront. If you don’t meet these criteria the landlord generally won’t be eligible for rent protection insurance on your tenancy so they are exposing themselves to a lot more risk.

(not defending the situation just giving additional context for why you’re coming up against this limit)

Have a look on Open Rent, its a site with Private landlords, Hope all works out for you c

Women's aid can find you a hostel place

It may be further away though. But that's a roof at least

Some things that people don't know about the way councils deal with people seeking help due to imminent homelessness is that part of the process is demanding contact details for relatives so they can ask them to house you. Given that for many people asking for help from the authorities is a last resort when all other options have been exhausted, I found this most unhelpful.

And as you have a housing application in already that waiting time will also help.

Council homelessness service/housing options and make an application for social housing.
You're in priority need and if you have the means to private rent if they help you find somewhere.
You should also end up in a higher need band if you are homeless and that will really help you get social housing too.
Bid on housing association properties as well as the rents are usually a bit higher so less people bid on them.

@Cryingatthegym Yes there should be more social housing. The private rents are ridiculous because landlords are exploiting the housing shortage. Millions of people are bidding for secure tenancies every month. It’s very sad x

Sorry, I didn't mean to come across as insensitive or judgemental. I meant the worry and upheaval of moving to a different, unknown and unchosen by me area, and the drastic change in living standards that have suddenly been thrust upon me. Of course social housing is a wonderful thing and I'd be lucky to be offered a property.

Have you tried sites like Nextdoor? I have seen sometimes, people making a personal connection with someone on there who has a house / flat to rent..

Different situation but we were made homeless because our landlord wanted to sell. We couldn't afford private rent, with the conditions they insisted on.
Had to go HA route. They dragged their heels helping until I started phoning every day to ask if any of our bids had been successful. We also couldn't do hostels or B&B due to having two children with additional needs.
Two weeks before we got kicked out we were successful on binding for a house.
I know you aren't keen to go down that route but it may at least give you somewhere to live while you look for something else.
Also as your partner is abusive I am sure you will be a higher priority.
Other than that try Facebook and ask friends or family if they know of possible properties.

@Cryingatthegym How is it “upsetting to think about ending up in a council house” when millions would love the chance and are currently on neverending waiting lists?

@Cryingatthegym your low rent is more mind blowing to me than OP's! £1300 is pretty average around here too. It's grim. I have never believed in overcharging the rents. why make it difficult for the tenant to save for their own flat. I charge around the same as the councils and my flats are in better condition with any repairs required being done within 24-48 hours. i also do not take deposits. my tenants tend to stay for a good long while. people actually want a flat rental from me rather than anyone else.