to think about living in a caravan in a field?

[OhLori]

I am on HB with one child. Been offered one flat that smells totally of piss, on a housing estate that looks like something out of the Soviet Union, circa 1959. I mean open-air prisons look more inviting: low-rise, green spaces, plenty of facilities. (Those architects should be serving life sentences, preferably living in the flats they designed).

At least I could do a nice fry-up outdoors in the morning, like the gypsies do.

Why not just private rent since you are on HB?

Is it either this flat or nothing? Aren't there other options, or do you have to take what they offer?

can i live in a caravan too, i wont be a horrible neighbour and if i am you can just move. i live in ha everybody hates us and im totes fed up

Is going private an option?

Nothing wrong with living in a caravan in a field. If you can stay at a friend's once every 4 weeks then it makes things easier legally.

I've considered it before!

Basically most private landlords/estate agents don't like HB.

I do feel very cornered with my limited options. A caravan would probably be one of the better ones.

why not get a canal boat. there was a thread with a link to one.

I once saw a documentary about a group of people who live in a forest together and communally make homes for new comers. They make the homes in the undergrowth and out of wooden constructions, they looked really sturdy and cosy. I wanted to go and live there but DH wouldn't hear of it. I still fantasise. I don't like conventional living much - it becomes very boring. I would do your caravan in a field idea in the blink of an eye, DH on the other hand wouldn't in a million years.

most private landlords CAN'T RENT to those on HB, insurance/BTL mortgages don't allow it. It's NOT a matter of 'don't like', obviously it greatly reduces the pool of available tenants.

there are ways to live in a caravan but you can't just park one where you like.

This is how I've lived almost all of my life!!! YANBU! Woo hoo

It might not be as bad as you think, not all housing estates are awful.

We can't all live in pretty houses.

This one was bad, trust me.

same here. im on hb and have had countless probs with LLs. most of them charge the earth anyway and hb has a limit.

im in a council place and currently trying to exchange as were underoccupying and im dreading where to go. many reasons.

think all the time about a caravan/canal boat. could it be done on hb and income support?!?

p.s. On a related topic - sorry my mind is racing here - just wondering does anyone on MN know a cheap storage company they'd recommend to store my stuff in??

Yeah, its all a load of bs marjproops, but where there's a will there's a way so they say

Problem with living in a field is that there is not electricity or water supply. Spose you could live with gas cylinders and water bottles but means no showers.

You could do it, but would prob be in a remote area of the country.

ohlori -love the name btw- the song?

cheapest storage is not cheap. do you have friends/family that can store things/

and refuse flatly that p*hole you've been offered, you have a right to, and they cant say its that or nothing.

I had the same, i was told it was that or nothing until i went to CAB and you can insist on a proper place.

if you have any medical probs or anything gps letters and stuff can help.

I'm on HB and have private rented in 3 different properties. Never had a problem. My rent is higher than HB but with all the other money the government throw at single parents it more than covers the shortfall.

Kim147!

Caravan = cold and very damp (major condensation problems). They just aren't meant for year-round use.

Caravans don't need to be cold and damp, I have never had that problem. And they are used year round by so many people without problems, its fine

Thanks for thread VeryObvious, will have a look.

(I'll ignore the more goady/nasty postings that are coming through )

You install a woodburner to keep warm.