Can't afford a flat deposit

[DollhouseBurglar]

Does anyone know how I can get help for a deposit on a flat?

I'm a single mum with a reception child. Staying with ex and now asked to find my own place as he's in a new relationship.

My daughter goes to the local school so need to stay in the area. I've looked up housing benefit rates and I think I may be eligible for help with rent on a 2 bed property-anyone know if that's right?. If so, could I also get benefits for a 1 bed if I find one?

Anyway, been looking at what's available and most places ask for a deposit, holding fee and 5 weeks rent upfront. I'm penniless on universal credit so unable to save. Also just started my last year at university and I've worked out that I won't have enough to pay these upfront fees.

What it be wise to take out a loan with my bank to pay for a new place?

I'm looking at furnished as well because I can't afford to furniture for an empty flat.

Really can't become homeless at university (which is in another city), especially as DD has started school. The university were no help either, just asked me to put in an application to the council but I don't qualify as I have no local connection (university students don't count).

How can I get a deposit together?

The deposit is the 5 weeks rent. You do not pay that twice. And usually a holding fee is credited towards your deposit. You should have no other fees to pay.
Many realtors offer no deposit options where you pay a little higher monthly rent instead.
Alternatively, I know people who have put a few months worth of food, transport and other expenses on a 0% credit card to save up their cash
for the deposit. They then pay off the balance gradually over time once in the property.
You could also check with university housing and see if you now qualify for a hardship bursary or other bursary for low income students. They often have £2k or so towards accommodation costs and things like that.

Get your UC credit application in - you can ask for a loan / budgeting advance that you pay back over 12 months, this should give you a good head start on the big chunk of money

There are local discretionary schemes too - have a read through this link.

england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/rent_deposit,_bond_and_guarantee_schemes

And use entitled.to.org for an accurate summation of how much you will receive

Contact the housing options department at the local authority . They will almost certainly have a rent deposit scheme, or homeless prevention fund.

Speak to the uni, depending on its size etc they might be able to help you out. My uni had family accommodation for student parents to use.

Get a part time job and save up? Get a loan?

Some local councils do grants or loans to help people put a deposit down on a privately rented property so it's worth contacting your council to see if they do anything like that.

I think I may be eligible for help with rent on a 2 bed property-anyone know if that's right?. If so, could I also get benefits for a 1 bed if I find one?

I think under the bedroom tax rule, you are entitled for the housing element of UC with a 2 bed property but that doesn't mean you can't live in a 1 bed and still get the housing element of UC.

Your local area with a Local Housing Allowance which is the maximum amount they will give you towards housing in your area. It varies from area to area, in the last city I lived in it was £500 and where I am now it's £720 despite the rent being the same amount! So it's worth having a look at that before enquiring about any places

lha-direct.voa.gov.uk

Also, as a PP said the 5 weeks rent upfront and deposit are the same thing and the holding fee is usually deducted from the deposit or first month's rent.

So if the rent is £500 a month, the deposit is £600 and holding fee is £100, you'd pay the holding fee whilst you complete the application. Then before you move in you need to pay the deposit minus the holding fee (£500) plus the first month's rent (£500).

Have you considered looking for unfurnished or partially furnished properties and then getting your furniture second hand from FB marketplace or Gumtree?

I managed to get a king size bed, new mattress, sofa, armchair, desk and coffee table for free when I moved to my flat and lots of people will deliver for a small fee

Thank you so much for your replies.

I'm pretty clueless. Never had problems with money for accommodation before.

My university are useless and do not offer family accommodation. I'm also not receiving a bursary this year as I'm a low earner. And the hardship fund goes up to £100 for Bill's and food only.

Check if your university has a hardship fund that you can access - sometimes they can give loans or grants to students in financial difficulty - your student union or student services should be able to help.

I'll consider unfurnished. I'm in London so people are always fixing stuff away. Theres a BHF furniture place a few towns away so I could look there.

If LHA is £350 for a 2 bed in the area, could I use the same allowance for a 1 bed at the same price?

Get a part time job and save up?

I'm a single parent with no childcare and that wouldn't work as I'm in my last year and need to do well.

No, you couldn't use the 2 bed rate for a 1 bed property. It should say on the LHA website what the 1 bedroom rate is.

Is your local allowance really £350 a month for a 2 bed? Only £87 a week? That's appalling

Who's your local council? I will look up about help with a deposit if you want :)

As a university student, are you even entitled to any benefits and support with rent etc? It never used to be the case, which meant having to work to pay for it all or giving up uni.

That's per week. I'm in Lambeth

I get benefits because I have a child.

Also just checked my university hardship fund and you can only apply if you can't get help from the council or benefits. If I get help for a deposit from my council or UC then they won't help me.

My bad, so £1,400 a month towards a 2 bed.

If you find somewhere and there is a shortfall between the amount of Housing Benefit you get and your rent, Lambeth Council do a Discretionary Housing Payment you can apply for.

It looks like Lambeth housing advice team can help too. Their email is [email protected] or tel is 02079264200.

They do something called Home Finder Deposit Guarantee Scheme to help tenants pay the deposit on a private property.

Hope that helps you xx

Tough situation, 😢

Definitely try unfurnished if you have a car, or access to someone with a car/van. The problem with Gumtree and Freecycle is that you usually have to collect. But you can get so much stuff! If you live near a wealthy area, consider joining Freecycle for that neighbourhood and putting a "wanted" ad up, you'd be surprised how many people reply.

Do you get any financial help from DD's father , could you ask for an advance payment to help you avoid becoming homeless?

Regarding no help with child care, most universities have a creche facility, could you use that and pick up some part time admin work? Could DDs dad have her at weekends so you can get a weekend job?

You need to talk to your local council first, discuss how housing benefit works and maybe get registered on the housing list. Lists can take years though, so private rent tends to be the way forward.

Thy council can also discuss how you deal with the issue of a deposit. They usually have ways to help.

There's also quite a few one and two beds on Rightmove for £1,400 or under that have a no deposit scheme too

OP do you currently have your max student loan? There might have been a change in circumstances that will increase this.

If you can speak to your local council’s housing team ASAP that would be good—they will want to help you find private rented accommodation, and may help with deposit and telling you what housing support you can get.

If you do have a budget of £1400 a month for a 2 bed then you should have no difficulties finding somewhere, as long at they accept housing allowance. Most places will require the deposit, but again there should be help from council, from shelter or from local shame on that.

Go furnished or unfurnished, in London there are loads of charity shops that do furniture really cheap and you can freecycle. Not having furniture for a bit isn’t ideal but is quite liveable.