Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Terrified I'm going to be homeless

67 replies

lollipoprainbow · 07/01/2022 22:18

I'm so upset and low. I'm a single mum with a 9yr old dd with autism. We have been living with our cat in a lovely flat for nine years. The rent is high but I can't get a mortgage even though it would be lower than my rent. The landlord has decided to sell. Two bed properties in my area are extremely hard to come by, as soon as I was told the landlord was selling I started looking, there is absolutely nothing in my price range. I live in a block of four rented flats but the other three are owned by a separate landlord. I've discovered that an identical flat next to me with be available from April. I got onto the agents to voice my interest and ask if I could be given first refusal for it and was told that as the rent is likely to increase and as j don't earn enough I will need a guarantor which I don't have. I feel so unsettled and unhappy. I just don't what to do. My dd loves her home and I haven't got the heart to break it to her that we will have to move soon. Also the estate agents want to come in and take photos for marketing so she'll wonder what's going on.

OP posts:
Andtheyalllookjustthesame · 07/01/2022 22:20

Could you try a one bed instead?

spellingtest · 07/01/2022 22:20

Register with your local housing office immediately. They have a duty of care that you won't be homeless. Sorry you have found yourself in this situation

Santaisstilleatingmincepies · 07/01/2022 22:21

Can you present at the council as homeless? Maybe your dd having SN will help secure a property. Can you email your MP? They can help with housing issues..

WheelieBinPrincess · 07/01/2022 22:21

You absolutely don’t have to let anyone in to take photos or show people round, no matter what it says in your tendency.

stairgates · 07/01/2022 22:22

If another landlord buts it he may be happy to have a good existing tenant, 8f you let the estate agent know to let any potential buyers know that you would be happy to continue your tenancy then fingers crossed there may be a small chance of staying

Sarahlou63 · 07/01/2022 22:22

Someone will be along with better advice soon but I believe as a tenant you have statutory rights that mean you can't be evicted without a long process which will hopefully give you time to find somewhere suitable.

Original poster
lollipoprainbow · 07/01/2022 22:23

@WheelieBinPrincess what rights do I have ? My tenancy ended in October and the landlord contacted me to say he was selling up but not to worry !! I haven't been given anything else to sign since

OP posts:
FindingMeno · 07/01/2022 22:23

Are you able to get one of the other tenants to put in a good word for you with the landlord directly?
Definitely get on the social housing 'list'.

Youkilledmyfatherpreparetodie · 07/01/2022 22:25

I'm sorry, what a worrying situation for you. I have an excellent understanding of your Local Authority's obligations to you if you have any questions (if you're in England that is, laws are slightly different in Scotland/Wales etc)

WheelieBinPrincess · 07/01/2022 22:27

I mean in the original tenancy you signed, it probably says something about how you have to let the estate agent conduct viewings etc. But you don’t- it’s called the right to quiet enjoyment. So if they’re putting pressure on you to come and market it, it should be absolutely at your convenience and if you refuse that’s your right.

Santaisstilleatingmincepies · 07/01/2022 22:28

Ime try not to get onto bad terms with your ll. Getting a glowing reference can go a long way. My ll sold up. I got a long term tenancy on the strength of his reference.
I am self employed and should have needed a guarantor but the reference was enough. Been here nearly 8 years.

underneaththeash · 07/01/2022 22:29

Contact him and say your're willing to extend the contract and pay extra.

GoGoGretaDoll · 07/01/2022 22:33

References are important but whatever you do, don't let yourself be made homeless. That might mean having to let your landlord evict you, which is shit but it is what it is (I'm a LL so I don't say that lightly).

Have you spoken to Shelter? They'll have good legal and local advice.

tootyfruitypickle · 07/01/2022 22:36

Landlord needs to give you a proper section 21 notice . Then if you don't find somewhere you sit tight and it goes through the courts . Council would have a duty to house you then but it might be a hostel for a while . Look at shelters website for info.

MrsPsmalls · 07/01/2022 22:38

Yeah and if you piss off your landlord you will get a bad reference or no reference, which will make it pretty much impossible for you to rent again. Landlords do talk to each other. Best to stay on good terms with the landlord, get your deposit back and a glowing reference. Does the landlord know any where else that might suit you?

FrownedUpon · 07/01/2022 22:38

I wouldn’t piss off your landlord. A positive reference from him could be invaluable in finding somewhere else.

The eviction process is extremely stressful and will be hard on your DD. I’d also look at one beds until you can afford to move somewhere bigger later on.

LeQuern · 07/01/2022 22:39

Happy to be corrected by those who know better but the fact your contract ended in October is irrelevant - your landlord has to issue a Section 21 (notice to quit) and check with Shelter as to the current pandemic terms - they may have reverted back to the original notice period by now, but check (with Shelter - their website is brilliant).

If you are unable to afford private rentals, you’ll need to become homeless for the council to house you - I think this means you need to remain in the property until evicted by the courts. This is entirely legal and you cannot be forced out. Courts take a dim view of LL who try to force tenants to leave before the due process has been carried out.

But check all of this with Shelter. You are in a stronger position than you think and at the very least, the process will take some months - you may find a more suitable properly in that time.

LeQuern · 07/01/2022 22:40

LL are not allowed to give a bad notice as a result of a tenant following a legal process. The reference covers whether rent was paid on time and whether the property was maintained.

FridaRose · 07/01/2022 22:42

How the other half live.

I'm only 34 and I lived in a studio with my sister and parents until I was 5 yo.

So 4 people in a studio, and we weren't classed as poor or anything. More of a nice family. Sister and I had a bunk bed in one corner of them room and parents had good quality sofa bed they would fold away every morning.

Can you not get 1 bed apt OP? You can explain to your little one you're moving, there's nothing wrong with that.

Rainbowqueeen · 07/01/2022 22:42

You need to speak to shelter. They will know exactly what you need to do in order to qualify for council assistance.

In the meantime what is your relationship like with your landlord? It will be much easier and cheaper for him if he doesn’t have to evict you. Can you ask for a reference?
Are there shared ownership schemes in your area?

I’d also look at one bedrooms if renting is your only option.

Original poster
lollipoprainbow · 07/01/2022 22:43

Some good advice here thanks, I do feel that if I stop the agents coming into photograph and show people round I'll piss off the landlord who has been amazing all through the 9 years and they'll just tell me to go!! I plan to register with social housing on Monday but they advise that homes are so scarce people can be waiting ten years plus to find anywhere !! Looking at flats tonight one beds are now going for the same price as my two bed so the rent is definitely going to increase. I think I will contact my MP to voice my anger and annoyance that people just can't afford to rent.

OP posts:
Original poster
lollipoprainbow · 07/01/2022 22:44

@Youkilledmyfatherpreparetodie yes I'm in England

OP posts:
Thoosa · 07/01/2022 22:45

Every local council has a homelessness prevention officer. You’re essentially priced out of the local rental market and have no guarantee so there may get be schemes to help you.

Get their advice. Deposit/ guarantee schemes, shared ownership or HA tenancies might all be available.

Thoosa · 07/01/2022 22:47

*I plan to register with social housing on Monday but they advise that homes are so scarce people can be waiting ten years plus to find anywhere !!

Adequately housed families and singletons wait ten years. Families with children who are homeless or close to it, get priority. Be honest with them about how few options and sources of support you have.

Lockheart · 07/01/2022 22:48

If things are that desperate, could your daughter live with her father or could you stay with family for a short while?