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Original poster

Landlord selling our house

77 replies

mimi14 · 22/09/2021 18:19

After a bit of advice please.
We've lived here for 6 years, but our landlord has just told us he plans to sell the house within the year.
We can't afford another private rent in the area, as he capped ours at way under the market rate. Rentals around here are at least £300 more than we've been paying per month (we realise what a lucky position we've been in all these years).
However, this now leaves us stuck as anything else is unaffordable 😩

I've done a benefits calculation, and we'd be entitled to the housing benefit part of universal credit (currently just on wtc and ctc), however most rentals say they don't accept benefits, and we wouldn't pass an affordability check without 🤔. DH is working full time, just on a low wage, and I'm currently a sahm. Does anyone have any advice?

OP posts:
EL8888 · 22/09/2021 18:22

How about moving to a cheaper area? But l know that can tricky with work journeys, childcare, family etc.

Lasttimeneveragain · 22/09/2021 18:22

Are you in a position to work at all?

I really sympathise, we had the same thing happen to us after ten years. Thankfully we could only just afford the increase in rent and got a nicer house out of it.

Original poster
mimi14 · 22/09/2021 18:24

@EL8888 we did think about this, but anything in an hour's drive radius is similar, can't believe how much it is to rent 😢.

OP posts:
Fredoftheforest · 22/09/2021 18:25

Can you move to a cheaper area, or move in with family/friends to make it more affordable? Can you compromise on size of house or facilities you need?

If not, then honestly I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until you’re evicted and then inform the council that you’re homeless.

ZealAndArdour · 22/09/2021 18:25

Perhaps you’ll need to get a job for the hours when your DP is home to do childcare, just until you’ve moved and got a new tenancy sorted and then claim the HB?

Original poster
mimi14 · 22/09/2021 18:27

Yes, I am looking for work now that my youngest is at school, so that will boost our income a bit.
I've also applied to go on the social housing register, but not holding out much hope as the demand far outweighs the supply

OP posts:
spicedappledonuts · 22/09/2021 18:29

Can you work nights if your DH is working regular days?
I had several friends who did this to avoid paying for childcare.

Tippexy · 22/09/2021 18:34

What was your long term plan going to be?

SapatSea · 22/09/2021 20:03

Often when agents/LL's say no Benefits/DSS they mean long term unemployed people. If you list all your CTC, WTC etc plus the salary income would you pass affordability check? Could you offer several months rent upfront or a guarantor?

If you can find a private rental and are looking at not having somewhere to live then some council housing offices can offer the LL the deposit, a guarantee of rent being paid or an uplift/incentive to take you on as a tenant (or a mix). As you have young children will the council offer you some temporary accomodation?

DobbyTheHouseElk · 22/09/2021 21:07

I’m a LL. No DSS doesn’t mean no benefits like working tax credit.

To be honest, 99% of people renting are in receipt of something. It’s only saying no unemployed people as the insurance won’t cover that tenant.

I’m sorry your LL is selling. Maybe he can’t cover his costs if you are paying les than market value? Sucks for you. Have you offered to pay slightly more rent? See if that sways him.

CarryOnNurse20 · 22/09/2021 21:11

I think the only solution is you have to go back to work, especially if the children are at school. Where in the country are you?

Willow19C · 22/09/2021 21:43

If you can't afford rent, you should be working during school hours. Being a SATP is a luxury you currently can't afford. Your children are all of school age, so you can work at least 6 hours a day with a commute

SusanBAnthony999 · 22/09/2021 21:53

Being a SAHM when children are still in school is a luxury most people can not afford.
If you went back to work - even for 20/ 30 hours a week - you would be easily be able to earn an extra £300 per month.

Spikeyplants · 22/09/2021 21:59

What deposit have you saved over the 6yrs by paying a vastly reduced rent?

What did you do pre children? There are many free, only courses to get up to date with some roles. When did you last work? Is your CV up to date?

Many friends got night jobs if their partner worked days to makes ends meet. Carer, packing shelves etc. What roles are you looking for?

Cocomarine · 22/09/2021 22:07

You only need to earn £300 a month to cover the shortfall, so a part time job is the obvious answer.

GreenClock · 22/09/2021 22:13

I agree that being a SAHP is totally unrealistic in this scenario (husband on minimum wage) but it’s not that easy to find school hours jobs. And childcare/commuting costs can often reduce the financial uplift. Evening shifts would work though & would maybe do the trick in terms of affordability.

Fupoffyagrasshole · 22/09/2021 22:15

Job!

NiceTwin · 22/09/2021 22:18

Could you buy the house?

Pebbledashery · 22/09/2021 22:19

Yes..i think you can no longer afford to be a SAHM. I second finding night shift work so you're not paying astronomical childcare costs..
With your kids in school, you have time to work.

Hotelhelp · 22/09/2021 22:20

Sorry but what a stupid post.

‘We can’t afford average rental amounts for the area but only my husband works - what should we do?’

Ehhh … get a bloody job!!!!! The vast majority of working mothers go through that shit phase of the extra income barely being worth it after childcare but if you want to have any sort of decent life in the future you need to do it and then as the children get older the childcare steadily reduces and that’s you sorted.

The ones that don’t do that fall into the trap of being at home for 15-20 years then all of a sudden deciding they fancy a little job … with a long gap in their history.

Honestly get a grip of yourself. What kind of life are you providing for your children to not even be able to afford to pay rent but you just decide not to work?

25yearsnhsworker · 22/09/2021 22:23

How many children do you have?
I sleep in lounge to give child the bedroom. So could you look at a smaller property. I work 43 hours a week and couldn't afford anything bigger.

BlueberrySugar · 22/09/2021 22:24

@Hotelhelp

Sorry but what a stupid post.

‘We can’t afford average rental amounts for the area but only my husband works - what should we do?’

Ehhh … get a bloody job!!!!! The vast majority of working mothers go through that shit phase of the extra income barely being worth it after childcare but if you want to have any sort of decent life in the future you need to do it and then as the children get older the childcare steadily reduces and that’s you sorted.

The ones that don’t do that fall into the trap of being at home for 15-20 years then all of a sudden deciding they fancy a little job … with a long gap in their history.

Honestly get a grip of yourself. What kind of life are you providing for your children to not even be able to afford to pay rent but you just decide not to work?

What a nasty post.

Who pissed in your cornflakes?

Hotelhelp · 22/09/2021 22:24

I’m just being honest. Plenty of people saying the same thing not in so many words.

Hercisback · 22/09/2021 22:25

You're lucky to have been a SAHM for so long. It's time to get a job so you can afford to live.

Look for jobs in school, lunchtime supervisor may be enough for £300 depending on the hours.

Hullbilly · 22/09/2021 22:25

Get a care job maybe? You can work evenings or nights or weekends. That's what I did with young dc, it worked well.