Going to be moving into my car

[Dobbysgotthesocks]

So the order has come. I have six weeks to be out of the house.
Been trying to find somewhere to rent since I was first told my tenant would not be renewed in March.
Nothing!
Properties going for more than twice what I'm paying now.
I live alone, self employed and have cancer. My income doesn't now meet the minimum threshold for a tenancy.
Council will only offer a bedsit - so I would be able to keep my dogs. Have already given up my other animals.

So I'm a few weeks my dogs and I will move into my car ☹️

Have you looked on spareroom.com? Loads on there and definitely worth a try.

Hi OP, sorry you are in such an awful situation. I think this has been already suggested but is it worth booking up a static caravan for at least some of the winter? When it gets really really cold?
I think lots of people are really worried for your health in this situation and in the off season I would suspect that static caravan owners would be glad for the income and might well be flexible in terms of price?
Also it would include bills which in the current climate is a MASSIVE saving! Just looking and there seem to be quite a few in your area....

Definitely take the bedsit. Even if you mostly aren't there, you will have a bathroom, fridge, washing machine etc, and you can basically sneak the dogs in and see what happens.

Talk to your oncologist. I know from a family member's experience they can transfer your trial treatment to another area if you are forced to move.

What about this live in position in Devon that was advertised yesterday? Then you can stay In that area for your hospital. Live in jobs can be lucrative as no or very low living costs

I initially read this and felt really sad for you but the more you write the less sympathetic I feel , your shooting everybody trying to help down in flames and it’s coming across as a hoard of excuse after excuse. Personally I think it’s utterly cruel to make a dog live in a car least of all a dog with behaviour issues. That’s just not responsible at all. You wouldn’t be the first or the last person to rehome a difficult dog it’s deffo possible. I love my dog with all my heart but I would certainly rehome him no matter how hard it was for me before I let him live in a car! Homeless people don’t have the luxury of being picky and yes that’s sad but I would do anything and move anywhere to have a roof over my head

It sounds like you're on a reasonable enough wage that you could get a little caravan or even bell tent with woodburner. Tents being sold off at end of season 2-£300, woodburner about £100
There must be some sites down that way that you can stay at cheaply (I paid £8) in Somerset - it only had loos and water but that was ok.

I hate to think of you cold and cramped in your car.

I stayed one night in a bivvy {tiny tent} with a well behaved dog, and it was really hard in such a small space. She kept lying on my legs, in such a narrow space which sent them to sleep.
It was midsummer, in a heatwave, but no kettle to even make a drink in the morning was a pain.
Leaving two dogs in a car, especially in summer and the cold of winter is not at all a good idea.
Cars are not insulated, and heat up like ovens in hot weather and become like freezers in winter.

People in a camper van have it better, at least there is more space.
Cars aren't meant for sleeping in.

A campsite or static caravan might be the best idea.

So you have been offered a property by the council, a bedsit which you have turned down. You also refuse to look at other properties because they dont have a garden?

That does not sound like a desperate woman to me tbh. I agree with the other suggestions that a caravan would be ideal for you.

That sounds a good idea! Yurts are also meant to be pretty warm, even in a damp climate like UK.

I have to agree, It seems as if this ''My way, or the Highway'' is not in the dog's best interest.
It's not fair to expect dogs to be cooped up in a car in all weathers while the OP works.
Very few dogs are so untrainable that they can't be made better.
If they are that aggressive {to other dogs, to people} is it even wise to keep one at all?

OP unsure if you saw my previous replies but call Reed Lettings and please see if you GP can get your priority bumped up for bidding. Bid on everything you can and keep looking for private rentals as you are now, don’t lose hope yet, have you posted on any of your local Facebook groups? You could even put an add out in your local newsletter if your current village/area has one .

Sorry if it has already been mentioned but what about a static caravan?

Living in your car could get you caught by some of the anti-traveller laws - www.gov.uk/government/news/new-police-powers-to-crack-down-on-unauthorised-encampments-come-into-force / www.travellerstimes.org.uk/news/2022/04/new-anti-traveller-law-will-affect-you-we-are-here-help-say-drive2survive / www.gypsy-traveller.org/get-advice/

Cars have v little insulation - there's advice online eg. completecarcomfort.com/how-to-insulate-your-car-for-winter-its-easier-than-you-think/ re ways of insulating them.

A tent you attach to the car eg. tentbox.com/ might be good - allows you to lie flat to sleep + gives you space to insulate below were you'll be sleeping as well as on top/around you.

What's your plan for cooking / hot drinks/filling a hot water bottle? Remember most camping gas stoves can't be used inside a car or tent. How about storing food/water?

A gym fixes the showering problem, but what's your plan re toilet access?

What are you going to do about having a postal address? [Your local homelessness service might be able to help]

I hear the venting and the need for you to have accommodation not containing other people where you can keep your dogs, but a car is going to become uncomfortable quite quickly / there are things you might be able to do to make it nicer.

If you're really determined to bat away all options and insist on living in your car. Have you made alternative arrangements for winter maybe making your health worse and you'll literally won't be able to care for your dogs full stop?

Sometimes life takes all options out of our hands.

Hey again OP.

I just had a look and there are loads of year-round camping sites near Boney Tracey that are dog-friendly. They have electric hook-up and some include fridges etc. You can have a fire to keep you warm, there are onsite toilets and hot showers, hot water etc. You can still save a ton of money (which was the point you made about staying in your car).

No, it's not ideal. But with end of season sales on sleeping bags, tents etc and electric hookup, it's a much, much better option than sleeping in your car. It will be warmer, there's more room and it's a better quality of life for your dogs. Camp sites will be empty - plus you can ask for a spot away from everyone else - so no worries about your reactive dog.

As an interim measure it's the best going. You get to keep your dogs and hopefully by the time the really cold weather hits, you will be successful in renting somewhere. Camping for the next couple of months shouldn't be too bad with a stove to take the chill out.

Please, please think about it.

A gym fixes the showering problem

I don't understand how the OP's going to be able to leave a reactive dog locked inside the car, while she uses the shower though.

property.mitula.co.uk/searchRE/sort-0/min_price-450/max_price-600/q-to-rent-park-homes-newton-abbot?req_sgmt=REVTS1RPUDtTRU87U0VSUDs=

OP, if your dog is already traumatised, how will she be able to adjust to living in those conditions? If your friend is a dog behaviorist then she will already know your dog.... Could she not help you out for a while?

@Dobbysgotthesocks hi op if you don't mind me asking what priority band have you been placed in by the council for bidding? as if you have medical need which you clearly do you can be moved up, we did this for my father and got a note off his gp with a list of all his medical needs which moved him straight into band 2. band 1 and highest priority is for homeless people which you also will be shortly so you should be moved to band 1 and highest priority. please contact your council and update your status and gp/ your cancer specialist or macmillan and get a medical note for the housing.
I wish you luck and hope you find somewhere also you'll find most places state no dogs but many tenants have them as is the case in the housing scheme my father lives in, but just sneak dogs in as everyone else does and as long as they are not causing a nuisance they'll be fine.

www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/118709857/large-3-bedroomed-caravan-pet-friendly.html?link=%2Fclassifieds%2Fmobile-homes-park-homes%2Fall%2Fuk%2Fmobile%2Bhomes%2Bfor%2Brent%2Blong%2Bterm

@Dobbysgotthesocks
Do look at the mobile home I have suggested, cheap and pet friendly

Wont the RSPCA take the dogs away if they are found to be living in a car?

It’s really cruel to have 2 dogs living in a car. There just simply isn’t enough space and it’s going to be freezing. People will end up reporting you. Also you’re going to make yourself poorly. You need to consider some suggestions made instead of shooting everyone down.

Probably, yes.