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AIBU?

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Original poster

Nowhere to live over Christmas, advice needed

161 replies

Bakewellbits · 30/11/2024 21:29

I was meant to be completing on my first home this weekend, but the seller pulled out last minute, despite pressuring me for weeks to exchange - there was a legal issue outstanding that took a few weeks for solicitors to resolve, not a big deal, or my fault, but obvs needed sorting. Then at point of exchange the seller decided not to move afterall. I'm devastated.

I've given notice on my rental flat and new tenants are moving in soon. I have nowhere to go now, there are hardly any rentals around that I can afford. Airbnbs costs a bloody fortune. I need to be able to commute to work in London 3-4 days a week. I've spent 20 years saving for my deposit, I can't afford to go throwing several grand away on an Airbnb for several months while I get my shit together finding a new rental or place to buy - then I'll never be able to afford to buy. I have no family left, and no close friends any more so can't stay with anyone.

Any advice? And yes, things could be worse, I could be completely broke and homeless, so at least I'm lucky enough to have some funds.

OP posts:
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9
SnoopySantaPaws · 01/12/2024 00:28

Imatorturedpoet · 01/12/2024 00:14

Oh no that's rough. I'm so sorry. I would definitely speak to your landlord and ask to stay on. Agree that they can't throw you out if you've nowhere to go. Also maybe contact citizens advice bureau.
I've been in a similar situation, made homeless at the beginning of December because my landlord had defaulted on the mortgage and needed to sell. I spoke to the agent I rented through and they found me somewhere that was only available for a couple of months as they were having some work done to it in the new year, it was a damp basement flat but ok for a short time, I then managed to find a new build show home to buy.
I hope you find somewhere soon.

did you miss the bit where the new tenants are moving in soon??

Imatorturedpoet · 01/12/2024 00:18

Sorry, just read the whole thread and realise others are saying you shouldn't stay in your flat. I agree if the new tenants have a child it wouldn't be fair.

iluvsummer · 01/12/2024 00:14

Have a look at this https://matesplace.co/? you’ll need to download the app. It has listings of house shares.

MatesPlace – Finding flats and flatmates through friends of friends.

https://matesplace.co

Imatorturedpoet · 01/12/2024 00:14

Oh no that's rough. I'm so sorry. I would definitely speak to your landlord and ask to stay on. Agree that they can't throw you out if you've nowhere to go. Also maybe contact citizens advice bureau.
I've been in a similar situation, made homeless at the beginning of December because my landlord had defaulted on the mortgage and needed to sell. I spoke to the agent I rented through and they found me somewhere that was only available for a couple of months as they were having some work done to it in the new year, it was a damp basement flat but ok for a short time, I then managed to find a new build show home to buy.
I hope you find somewhere soon.

AntiHop · 01/12/2024 00:11

Can you ask around at work to see if anyone needs a lodger? Or on your local Facebook group.

I'm so sorry this has happened to you.

blackcatsarethebestcats · 01/12/2024 00:09

Really sorry to hear this happened but it’s really unwise to max out your budget so much that you can’t afford to pay for an overlap with rent and mortgage. You need some savings for home repairs etc, not to spend everything on your purchase.

Letmegohome · 01/12/2024 00:09

@EssentiallyItsTrue explained that better than I did , thank you

snotathing · 01/12/2024 00:08

Have you asked the EA you were dealing with? Sometimes they know of people who want to do a short term rental. Does she have anything else you might want to buy? The odd time if it's empty you can arrange to rent it while conveyancing is being done.

EssentiallyItsTrue · 01/12/2024 00:07

Letmegohome · 30/11/2024 23:59

@Oppppppp It implies the person is lying it's been done for years, no idea of the origin .
Like sigh is pass agg but not a rule break

Edited

It's troll hunting so it is against the rules and will prob be deleted

VegTrug · 01/12/2024 00:03

lolit · 30/11/2024 22:24

Try trustedhousitters, someone might need housitting over the holidays

Holidays? Do you mean Christmas?!?

Letmegohome · 30/11/2024 23:59

@Oppppppp It implies the person is lying it's been done for years, no idea of the origin .
Like sigh is pass agg but not a rule break

Oppppppp · 30/11/2024 23:57

@Letmegohome what is the "mumsnet twin thing"?

Letmegohome · 30/11/2024 23:57

@Bakewellbits Could you try to broker a price with a hotel? I used to know a guy who did that for work. What's the plans for you 'stuff ' storage is surprisingly expensive where I am.

CookiePookie · 30/11/2024 23:55

House sitting or renting a room sound like possible options as suggested; there's also an Easy Hotel in Croydon, which I believe are a good price per night - no idea how comparable to your rent/prospective mortgage of course, but maybe? Premier Inn or Travelodge if you get a bit desperate before you find longer term options? I wish you all the best of luck.

Letmegohome · 30/11/2024 23:54

@Apolloneuro I will happily state my point in a thread and back my opinions , not everyone is going to agree.... but snide shots are pointless and add nothing. I've had some "interactions" on here with ppl.
I do think the mumsnet twin thing is one of the most tiresome and pointless barbs.

ladyofshertonabbas · 30/11/2024 23:53

What about one of those professional house sitting services? Or pet sitting. They’re definitely out there.
you could pot stuff in storage.

Good link op, that is rough.

JC03745 · 30/11/2024 23:52

Startinganew32 · 30/11/2024 23:39

People seem to be falling over themselves to offer out-there solutions to the OP - be a pet sitter, live in a van, live in an abandoned castle. She can just rent a room which would be the best solution for her, surely.

People have been making suggestions for places which may be out there, but cheaper or free options which the OP may not have considered. Yes, renting a room somewhere might be fine, but maybe OP has a house worth of furniture to also store somewhere?

Startinganew32 · 30/11/2024 23:50

Hedgerow2 · 30/11/2024 23:48

House sitting isn't an outlandish suggestion. Lots of people do it and it would be a very cheap option. And lots of people go away over Christmas.

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Yeah but she needs more certainty than a few weeks while people are away. She will be looking to buy somewhere else so that will take a few months. Are lots of people likely to be away for several months?

Hedgerow2 · 30/11/2024 23:48

Startinganew32 · 30/11/2024 23:39

People seem to be falling over themselves to offer out-there solutions to the OP - be a pet sitter, live in a van, live in an abandoned castle. She can just rent a room which would be the best solution for her, surely.

House sitting isn't an outlandish suggestion. Lots of people do it and it would be a very cheap option. And lots of people go away over Christmas.

feelingfree17 · 30/11/2024 23:46

Would anyone at work rent you a room for a good price?
Many AirBnB’s are empty this time of year. See if you could negotiate a better rate for staying long term
I’m so sorry you are in this position

BeretInParis · 30/11/2024 23:44

There are Facebook groups that people sublet rooms/apartments through for short periods of time. That could help. Also a room in a shared house might be a decent priced alternative to an Airbnb.

Apolloneuro · 30/11/2024 23:44

Letmegohome · 30/11/2024 23:37

Mumsnet "wit" at its finest there .
Pointless & unhelpful

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I wonder about the mental health of people who find joy in being vile. I guess they're unhappy themselves?

RisingSunn · 30/11/2024 23:44

RisingSunn · 30/11/2024 23:43

Stop being so foolish.

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Not you @Startinganew32 - the poster you replied to.

RisingSunn · 30/11/2024 23:43

Startinganew32 · 30/11/2024 22:43

Are you drunk?

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Stop being so foolish.