Housing

[Sophiekay20]

I am an 18 year old (19 this year) with a 8 week old daughter, who recently split up with my daughters father due to him cheating. When we was together he got numerous finance agreements out in my name and did not pay for these, leaving me paying them now in a debt management plan - I pay £9 a month. I was living with my partner when I was pregnant but found out at 30 weeks he had been cheating so had to move back in with my mother and father, however they do not want me there with a baby so I need to move out as soon as possible. My credit score is 400/999 which is very poor. What are my housing options?? I am on maternity leave earning £146 a week until I go back to work in August. I am on the council list however have been informed it will take a while for me to be homed, and the property’s are in tower blocks in awful areas that I do not feel safe living in. Any help is much appreciated.

Do you have anybody who could guarantor you? There are some private rentals which accept people on benefits or partial benefits, but if you have poor credit they won't accept you without a guarantor. Do you have CCJs? These can mean an outright no from most letting agencies. If you were to be kicked out by your parents you would be eligible for temporary or emergency Housing, but some of it is pretty appalling. It would increase your likelihood of getting a council place probably, but you could be stuck there for years, and you've said you do not want a council place. I think you probably do need to be realistic at what your options are though. It sounds like he was financially abusing you so I would speak to women's aid or your local domestic violence services for Advice, you may be able to get some of the debt written off.

I think really you don't have housing options right now, you are between a rock and a hard place, but I know that is not what you want here.

I am saying that as somebody who has lived in temporary accommodation for most of my adult life, and most of my children's lives.

What you want to hear *

Thank you for your response AmazingGreats. Unfortunately I do not have anyone that would be a guarantor for me and no, I do not have any CCJ’s. I did join the housing list as I did think this may be the only option I have but thought asking on here may be worth a go.