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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

AIBU to wonder why I bothered?

84 replies

TheImprobableGirl · 30/05/2015 00:32

There's a fair backstory to this but the gist is that DP had a gambling addiction that came to the fore 5 years ago. We had nothing apart from shitloads of debt and a pregnancy on the way
way.

Since then I have worked so, so hard to get back on track and we have done it by hook or by Crook. Got well on the way to paying people back, got a niceish rented house in a niceish area and two beautiful daughters.

Now we have hit a problem that we have become £550 behind with the rent. Last month DP lost his job but didn't tell me. He was on a 0 hours contract and they decided they didn't have any work- after two years of working for them :(

The landlord has said he won't wait for the rent, and served us notice to vacate the property unless we pay by next week.

I have tried so bloody hard to build our life back up and it's all going to be for nothing over £500. It feels so worthless that I bothered trying. I can't sleep because I feel sick, I can't eat, I can't think apart from worry. We can't get help from anywhere, I have tried and tried, Dp has tried, we have nothing to sell, no car, no extra to cut back on.

I have tried payday loan companies, nobody will help, I just don't know what to do now :(

OP posts:
Charis1 · 30/05/2015 00:36

try citizens advice, or christians against poverty.

You are not going to lose your home over £500 being late.

x

Charis1 · 30/05/2015 00:36

or try shelter

Fatmomma99 · 30/05/2015 00:37

You poor darling. You've done so well.

Family?

SS will prob tell you they have a responsibility to house your DC, but not you, so will expect you to pay what savings you have and sofa-surf. It fucking sucks.

I hope there is a way out for you.

Slutbucket · 30/05/2015 00:37

What about a credit union?

Original poster
TheImprobableGirl · 30/05/2015 00:43

I will lose this home, potentially we could be removed but it will take a while. Shelter have said that by not paying the rent I have made myself intentionally homeless and I wouldn't be touched by the council housing. I have tried citizens advice and they pointed me back to shelter.

Citizens advice got me on track with consolidating the debts a couple of years ago, and were very good, but they have said if we haven't paid the rent then the landlord is entitled to serve us notice....but now there is no way of finding this money, it is impossible. I may as well of not bothered.

How the hell can I be a good parent to my kids when I can't even keep a bloody roof over their head?!?

OP posts:
Original poster
TheImprobableGirl · 30/05/2015 00:45

No family left, it's just us. And no savings either! Shows how bloody stupid I was for thinking I'd sorted things out

OP posts:
VanitasVanitatum · 30/05/2015 00:50

You've got there before and you will again, I'm very surprised at the Shelter advice as if you turn up on the council doorstep with their kids they must have to find you a temporary place to stay.

textfan · 30/05/2015 00:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
TheImprobableGirl · 30/05/2015 00:58

I was surprised too by the advice, as I am.not intentionally homeless! I will look into the credit union, can I get that through work? Our credit isn't great tbh, not blacklisted but not enough for a wonga loan.

OP posts:
Charis1 · 30/05/2015 01:23

start repaying the arreers. I can't see any judge evicting you if you are repaying, especially if you explain the circumstances clearly. I can't honestly see the land lord wanting to follow through with the eviction if you are repaying either. It would cost him a lot more than £500.

Good luck x

AlpacaMyBags · 30/05/2015 01:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MidniteScribbler · 30/05/2015 01:36

What's your husband doing about this? He's the one who lost his job and didn't tell you, so he should be doing something to get you out of it. Is he even looking for work? He needs to start doing something now, even if it means mowing lawns, tidying gardens, washing cars, anything to bring in some cash. Call temping agencies, I did it all through uni and got heaps of work doing pretty menial work, but it paid reasonably, and if you're a hard worker you'll get heaps of work.

Nibledbyducks · 30/05/2015 04:06

The last time I looked up council regulations the guidance was that inability to pay rent shouldn't be counted as intentional homelessness, I think you should ring the council and ask, Shelters advice is very surprising!

Diamond23 · 30/05/2015 04:27

It's 3 months in arrears to be evicted unless of course you're on a rolling contract or similar and can be evicted at anytime.

Not that I'm recommending it but wonga will Lend to anyone surely? The whole point is they are for people with terrible credit ratings

frankie001 · 30/05/2015 04:31

Do you work? Could you ask your employer for help?

Turquoisetamborine · 30/05/2015 04:55

I'm a civil servant and we have a benevolent fund at work who would pay something like this off. Do you have a large employer who might also do this without you knowing or do a payday advance?

Your rent is your number one priority bill so I would not pay other bills in favour of raising the money for this.

KateSpade · 30/05/2015 07:54

I applied for a credit card the other day - Tuesday, was accepted & completed the application in seconds.

I didn't think my credit raining was good, but it's worth a try surely?

I was on moneysupermarket.com

Good luck!

CactusAnnie · 30/05/2015 07:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
TheImprobableGirl · 30/05/2015 08:00

Thanks for all your replies. I am going to try shelter again and look At a credit union loan, I would like to keep the house if I can, kids are 4 and 1 so a lot of hassle to move over £500! I will speak to shelter again and see what they say.

Thank you

OP posts:
Vivacia · 30/05/2015 09:54

What has your husband said about the situation?

AlternativeTentacles · 30/05/2015 09:58

The landlord can't just evict you next week. You need to speak to Shelter pronto and get the facts at your fingertips.

Original poster
TheImprobableGirl · 30/05/2015 09:59

Dp is as thrown as me, he has looked straight away for work but there's just nothing around

OP posts:
Golfhotelromeofoxtrot · 30/05/2015 10:01

Do you work? Could you approach your employer for a loan?

ilikebaking · 30/05/2015 10:03

Your first problem is the money- you need to approach the council, try shelter, google local charities..
Don't take out a payday loan- if you can- because they have sky high interest.
Can you approach the landlord and see if they will take installments?
Are you claiming all the beneits that you are entitled to? Tax credits, houseing etc...
Your last problem is your "D" P. He is an idiot.

fiveacres · 30/05/2015 10:05

Is it just £500?

How overdue is it?

Could your LL wait another fortnight?