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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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Catza · 30/11/2024 21:47

I would aim to get a room in a shared house. Doesn’t have to be anything amazing, just a temporary measure until you figure out the next step.

JC03745 · 30/11/2024 21:47

I'd be looking at renting a static caravan on a site. This time of year, many will be empty and you might get a reasonable rate. DH and were renovating, and lived in 1 in the garden for 2yrs. It didn't have central heating, only single glazing and was tiny, but we coped.

A longer term rental in an Airbnb which isn't right in London might be cheaper too. We briefly rented out our property via AirBNB when living/working abroad for part of the year. I would have dropped the daily rate for someone renting for says 2 weeks, a month etc.

MaggieFS · 30/11/2024 21:43

What a nightmare. Could you see if anyone needs a house sitter over the holidays which would buy you a few more weeks? Ask colleagues or local Facebook groups.

Narkacist · 30/11/2024 21:42

Look for a housesit/petsit (via local fb group or trustedhousesitters.com) or property guardianship.

cestlavielife · 30/11/2024 21:42

You have options
Yes it will cost money but you have an income
You can choose to be "homeless" no roof You are not literally homeless unless you choose it
Put your stuff in storage
Get cheapest airbnb Til you sort something longer term

GoodLaudanum · 30/11/2024 21:41

Bakewellbits · 30/11/2024 21:39

But it's not fair on the new tenants if I stay? I believe they have a young kid. I'm just me.

They will stay where they are too.

No one needs to be homeless - it'll just take a little longer for everyone to get moved.

Original poster
Bakewellbits · 30/11/2024 21:39

But it's not fair on the new tenants if I stay? I believe they have a young kid. I'm just me.

OP posts:
LadyGabriella · 30/11/2024 21:34

Don’t leave your current flat. They can’t legally evict you without going through a long process that can take > 6 months. Doesn’t matter that tenents are lined up. Just say you arnt leaving at present.

PeriPeriMam · 30/11/2024 21:33

This is really rubbish and stressful and unfortunately part of parcel of sellers being shitty. Tell your landlord you can no longer move out and rescind your notice. Obviously this causes issues for the new tenants but you are already there and in a bad situation that's not your fault

Doggymummar · 30/11/2024 21:32

Oof I had this. I lived in a. Air BnB at £65 a night until I found a house share, all my stuff went into storage till I met my partner and we moved in together three years later. I was left homeless on 17 Dec. I'm sorry.