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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to wonder how the hell anyone on an average wage manages to rent in London?

52 replies

jonrotten · 28/04/2015 08:24

I hate renting. Really fucking hate it but have no choice.

Dh works full time earning 30k. He works for a London borough, pretty good job with good prospects.

We live in a west London suburb. A three bed house flat goes anywhere from £1,600 pcm to £2,200 for somewhere that isn't a shit hole.

We claim top up housing benefit which means we can afford £1700. But no one will take you on with even partial housing benefit.

It's crazy. We can't move further afield as even within a 30 mile radius prices are still high and Dh would spend so much getting to work that it wouldn't be worth it (he has very good prospects where he is so its worth his while to stay).

I am so pissed off at the moment.

OP posts:
Feckeggblue · 28/04/2015 08:29

If you get paid HB directly do you have to tell them?
Wouldn't places like hanwell, greenford, northolt etc be more reasonable? A few hundred pounds less than that at least.

I don't see how they're high within a 30 mile radius though- we're 30 miles away (north) and you could get a 3 bed flat for

DevaDiva · 28/04/2015 08:29

Not helpful but this is why we moved out as soon as DD came along. Quite easy for us as it's not where our family are so we were only leaving friends behind, vast majority of those have also done the same.

I guess you're playing the long game with your DHs prospects,so will just have to go through the short term pain.

mousmous · 28/04/2015 08:29

do you need 3 bedrooms?

BathshebaDarkstone · 28/04/2015 08:30

We're on a below average wage and we get housing benefit.

Original poster
jonrotten · 28/04/2015 08:31

Well when they get a work reference and bank statements they can see how much you earn. So if you don't say you are in recipt of benefits they ask how you can afford the property and have to provide proof.

Hanwell is still expensive. I have a 12 year old with SN and I don't want to move him too far from his secondary. It's all a bit of a mess.

OP posts:
SophyStantonLacy · 28/04/2015 08:32

No helpful either but this is why we moved out of London too. DH's starting salary as a junior doctor was under £30k, I was a part-time student, just couldn't afford to stay.

MrsKoala · 28/04/2015 08:32

Where in London do you work? do you need 3 bedrooms for a reason? Could you have a flat? Do you have to stay in that location for schools etc?

Original poster
jonrotten · 28/04/2015 08:33

We have a 12 year old boy and a one year old girl. We are in a two bed at the mo.

Three beds is our ideal and we can afford it, but no one will touch us when they hear the words housing benefit even though Dh works (I am a mature student).

OP posts:
Original poster
jonrotten · 28/04/2015 08:34

And yes we'd have a flat, we are in one at the mo but they aren't much different in price.

OP posts:
Feckeggblue · 28/04/2015 08:35

Have you looked at housing associations?

You sound like a great candidate for shared ownership

Original poster
jonrotten · 28/04/2015 08:36

We don't qualify for housing associations or even to get on a council list! I've tried before but they always say we are only eligible to private rent.

OP posts:
mountainofdreams · 28/04/2015 08:38

What area in West London are you in?
What about West Ealing, Hayes or Southall?

Original poster
jonrotten · 28/04/2015 08:39

I just feel so at the mercy of landlords/agencies. It's a constant worry that we will be given notice and that we the won't find anywhere to live.

OP posts:
Feckeggblue · 28/04/2015 08:40

Housing associations do all sorts of rental including private (market/ affordable rent) but they tend to be a little more laid back about things like HB (and more reliable landlords!)

Original poster
jonrotten · 28/04/2015 08:41

I know but we can't get on any of the housing association lists. We have tried but we keep getting told we don't qualify.

OP posts:
OnIlkleyMoorBahTwat · 28/04/2015 08:43

Have you always lived in London? Can your DH find a job elsewhere with a city council in a cheaper area? Even if he took a pay cut you would be better off as you could probably rent a nice 3 bed outside the south east for less than half the amount.

Even though I earn an above average salary I would never consider living in the south east because, unless you are on mega banker/law money, the higher wages don't seem to cover the extra costs.

What the country needs is for more good jobs to be located outside one tiny overpriced and crowded corner of the country.

Original poster
jonrotten · 28/04/2015 08:44

I know I'm moaning, just venting this morning after we've lost on a perfect place yet again even though we have a brilliant five year renting track record. We are excellent tennants and not a risk at all. It's very unfair.

OP posts:
Original poster
jonrotten · 28/04/2015 08:46

It's mainly a complicated situation with my ds and his father. If we moved form here ds would have to live with him (it's v complicated). Ds wouldn't be able to handle the change die to his SN.

It's so unfair as we can afford it with the HB top up.

OP posts:
hobNong · 28/04/2015 08:49

I was going to suggest moving to a cheaper borough but have just seen about your son. I do think it's something to consider. I know you don't want to move him too far from his secondary school but realistically children do sometimes have to change schools and getting a stable roof over your head is the main priority.

Also I agree with Feckeggblu about housing associations.

Beloved72 · 28/04/2015 08:49

here

You need to look harder. West London is stupidly over priced. SE London is where you need to look.

This is just opposite a lovely park, 5 minutes walk from a train station - 20 minutes to Victoria. In catchment for 'Good' primary, and within the catchment of two outstanding secondary schools.

Area is a bit rough, but actually it's perfectly fine - so many nice people here, despite the chicken shop and betting shop nightmare that is the high street.

hobNong · 28/04/2015 08:49

Sorry just saw your latest post.

hobNong · 28/04/2015 08:53

I was thinking south east or north east too. Moving might be the best option op. Is there absolutely no way your ds can move?

Original poster
jonrotten · 28/04/2015 08:53

I'm in west Ealing/Hanwell. It's all betting shops and chicken shops! Rough doesn't bother me - I grew up in Camden when it was a shithole!

The other factor is Dh job. He has so many prospects where he is. It's a hard one to weigh up, but like I said, if we moved further from it then he would have to pay to get to work instead of cycle.

OP posts:
Original poster
jonrotten · 28/04/2015 08:54

Ds father makes life very difficult re moving. I don't think ds would cope living with him full time.

OP posts:
hobNong · 28/04/2015 08:56

Loads of people cycle to work across boroughs so it wouldn't be impossible. Plus bus pass fare isn't too bad. Sorry if I'm sounding annoying I'm just trying to help. I always worry how my tone comes across on here!