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Original poster

How do I pay my rent?

47 replies

sayitaintsooooo · 01/10/2023 12:53

Hi I'm currently in a 2 bed house through a housing association.
I work part time (25 hours )and receive UC as I have 2 young children
When they start school I will be going back to my full time hours.
I have been offered a 3 bed house through the same housing association.
I get uc 28 th of every month
I should get keys in the next two weeks
It says rent paid weekly in advance
Will they understand I get UC and wait till I get that or will they expect me to pay the rent in advance.
It's the same housing association I'm with now.

OP posts:

ItWasntMyFault · 01/10/2023 13:01

I work for a HA and we would expect you to find the money to pay in advance, especially as you are moving to a bigger house.

If you were struggling and downsizing then we may be more lenient.
How old are your children and are they different sexes or the same sex? You might have to pay bedroom tax for a long time if they are very young.

Original poster

sayitaintsooooo · 01/10/2023 13:05

Where do they expect me to find the money from?
I don't understand why housing associations want money in advance when people don't get paid in advance.

OP posts:

Babyroobs · 01/10/2023 13:08

sayitaintsooooo · 01/10/2023 13:05

Where do they expect me to find the money from?
I don't understand why housing associations want money in advance when people don't get paid in advance.

You could possibly apply to your local council for a discretionary housing payment. They may be willing to help.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Benefits

Babyroobs · 01/10/2023 13:09

sayitaintsooooo · 01/10/2023 13:05

Where do they expect me to find the money from?
I don't understand why housing associations want money in advance when people don't get paid in advance.

They perhaps expect people to have a small amount of savings to cover things like this. Obviously if you can't then look at dhp as per my post above.

tattychicken · 01/10/2023 13:11

You can ask for an advance from your UC. You may only have to pay one weeks rent, you can ask what the minimum is you have to pay.

It is completely the norm with any accommodation to have to pay up front, otherwise you are immediately getting into rent arrears.

You presumably have been waiting some time for a larger property, have you not been able to put away a little bit each week/month in preparation for this? I'm confused why paying rent when you sign a tenancy is a surprise for you.

Original poster

sayitaintsooooo · 01/10/2023 13:12

I have managed to save £1500
But I am being quoted £600 for removals and obviously need carpets

OP posts:

dothehokeycokey · 01/10/2023 13:12

I can't believe in the current financial
Situation for many that a housing association that clearly can see they are paid via universal credit would expect a tenant to magic up rent in advance when it's paid for by benefits.

The op is working 25 hours a week with 2 children so isn't sat on her ass doing nothing and yet they don't have any solution

What a fucking joke this country is.

A government set up like universal credit paying in arrears and a government set up like a housing association demanding in advance.

Just doesn't make sense does it

HerMammy · 01/10/2023 13:13

@Babyroobs
Savings when they're getting by on UC? seriously

Babyroobs · 01/10/2023 13:14

HerMammy · 01/10/2023 13:13

@Babyroobs
Savings when they're getting by on UC? seriously

She says she has saved £1200 ! Clearly not struggling too much. And as I've said she can apply for discretionary housing payment which I believe can cover things like this.

Babyroobs · 01/10/2023 13:15

Babyroobs · 01/10/2023 13:14

She says she has saved £1200 ! Clearly not struggling too much. And as I've said she can apply for discretionary housing payment which I believe can cover things like this.

Show quote history

£1500.

Original poster

sayitaintsooooo · 01/10/2023 13:16

So does this mean when I seen tenancy I can just pay 1 week in advance?
They give you keys on a Friday and expect you out by Monday unless you pay rent for both properties -so I can't pay more than a week on both

OP posts:

HerMammy · 01/10/2023 13:16

Moving costs money plus rent upfront, HA should be flexible, ppl on full HB need nothing upfront but those trying to work and do their best are penalised.

Original poster

sayitaintsooooo · 01/10/2023 13:17

I've saved £1500 over 6 years
Every month I put £20 in a jar
That's all I can afford to save unfortunately

OP posts:

liveforsummer · 01/10/2023 13:18

They expect me to find £558 of my £750 rent every month in a similar situation work wise. They aren't actually interested in where the money is coming from unfortunately. Can you ask UC for an advance? I'm not sure council pay discretionary payments for non housing benefit claimants but you could ask. I guess they are seeing it as your choice to upsize (I'm still in a 2 bed and dc are 10 and 13. I've no chance of going bigger)

Munchyseeds2 · 01/10/2023 13:20

Paying the rent is more important than carpets I think?

Babyroobs · 01/10/2023 13:20

liveforsummer · 01/10/2023 13:18

Op is on UC. Councils will certainly pay DHP to those on UC.

CandyLeBonBon · 01/10/2023 13:21

Munchyseeds2 · 01/10/2023 13:20

Paying the rent is more important than carpets I think?

From my understanding the house will not have carpets at all (at least that's the deal with HA properties where I am). It's not a question of replacing carpets - there will be no carpets in the property and with 2 young kids that's potentially dangerous.

Devilsmommy · 01/10/2023 13:25

When I moved into ha property I only had to pay 1 weeks worth in advance and then the rest was split up to be paid over the first year. DH was in employment and we got UC top up. Surely you can manage a week worth. Definitely call and see if that's how they do it

LIZS · 01/10/2023 13:26

Do you currently pay in advance? If so, that money just needs topping up.

Original poster

sayitaintsooooo · 01/10/2023 13:27

Property has no carpets ,blinds etc
It's a blank canvas
Every room needs decorating
The blinds or decorating I can do in stages whilst I'm in there
The carpets I really can't move in without
My youngest is crawling and I just don't want them crawling on floorboards

OP posts:

Original poster

sayitaintsooooo · 01/10/2023 13:28

At the moment I'm one week in credit
After paying my rent
So if I get the keys in the next two weeks I will need to pay two weeks extra for this property then at least 1 week for new property until I get paid

OP posts:

Original poster

sayitaintsooooo · 01/10/2023 13:29

Then end of month will pay for new house
So it's like 3 weeks rent really
I'm selling bits on vinted and I've made £90 so that's one week paid
I'm just hoping they let me pay the extra two weeks on pay day

OP posts:

LIZS · 01/10/2023 13:29

Can you not just make one room baby safe for time being. Look on free-cycle etc for a large rug then save for fitted carpet.

Original poster

sayitaintsooooo · 01/10/2023 13:31

Im hoping I can find a cheaper van to move
I'm going to try saying just a 1 man van instead of 2 and I can help with the lifting -that might keep costs down a bit
Like i say I have the money for moving and carpets
It's just hoping the h/a understand rent situation

OP posts:

FrostieBoabby · 01/10/2023 13:33

Do you pay your current rent in advance though so you won't have 2 rents to pay at the same time?

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