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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Or am I fucked?

132 replies

pabstblueribbon · 10/11/2016 15:25

Single sahm to 2 year old dd. Looking to move house to a nicer area (where dd's nursery is) but no one seems to accept housing benefit. I also have 2 cats which also seem undesirable to every landlord I've come across so far.

Looking for part-time work but even then it still won't be enough and will be topped up by housing benefit. What on earth do I do?

OP posts:
BarbarianMum · 10/11/2016 16:18

Keep looking. I know quite a few landlords who'll take HB tennants with a guarantor (I'm one). The cats are harder tbh - dogs and cats can cause terrible damage in a short time. Would your parents like to adopt them?

abeandhalo · 10/11/2016 16:18

We really struggled to find a landlord that would even entertain our 2 cats, then when we were about to give up my partner went back to the very first landlord we enquired with and asked if he would accept us with a larger deposit and they did. So it's always worth asking.

expatinscotland · 10/11/2016 16:27

'I don't want dd going to school in he area we're in now. It's just not an option'

Then you will need to go to work FT, especially with the benefit cuts in, those on HB and not in work will need to top up even more of their rent from whatever benefits they receive, which will make LL's even less likely to take them on, especially in nice areas. And with Universal Credit being rolled out, the best bet is to work FT.

BarbarianMum · 10/11/2016 16:28

Actually that's a really good idea of abe's - try offering a larger deposit because of the cats. I wouldn't personally go for it (I have allergies) but others might.

KondosSecretJunkRoom · 10/11/2016 16:28

I would rehome the cats. They are always going to be a problem when renting a house. So, unless home ownership is on the horizon and given the state of the average tenancy contract, I think it's best to be as favourable tenant as possible.

APlaceOnTheCouch · 10/11/2016 16:31

I know quite a lot of LLs who rent to HB tenants but nearly all of them hate pets. On that basis, I'd rehome the cats.

toptoe · 10/11/2016 16:53

I would try the bigger deposit avenue first. You might find the LL is happier with a HB tenant and cats with more money up front to cover potential damage from the cats. They also worry because housing associations sometimes cock up so more deposit might be enough for them to feel happy about taking you on - like having a month in advance if you like.

Blossomdeary · 10/11/2016 16:58

Get rid of the cats right now. It is about priorities.

maddiemookins16mum · 10/11/2016 17:00

Cat rescue centres are full of cats because of exactly this situation. You'll struggle to find a place for them.

crystalballbroke · 10/11/2016 17:00

We rent out a house and in the past accepted housing benefit, and also had a cat flap put in when our tenant wanted a cat.

Fingers crossed for you!

RhodaBorrocks · 10/11/2016 17:07

You don't have to disclose you're on HB. My parents have acted as my guarantor, I've paid larger deposits and have been renting privately for 6 years.

That said, I also work full time. Between my salary and guarantors I've always been able to fudge my way through. I live in a very 'naice' area which does look down on HB, but no one would know I'm on it unless I say so.

I think you need to rehome the cats and consider P/T work (unless you are unable to work). If you work 16 hrs per week you would get working tax credits as well. I get wtc, ctc, hb and my salary and I'm staying afloat living in a very desirable area, particularly for schools.

RunYouJuiceBitch · 10/11/2016 17:17

Rehoming the cats well will be difficult. As has already been mentioned, rescue centres are overflowing and you must be prepared to be turned away.

I know it may be necessary to go down that route but it probably won't be as easy as just 'rehome the cats', unless you have friends or family who can step in.

Please be careful if you decide to try and rehome online (Facebook, pet sites etc). It's not super common but some cats end up as dog bait. You must vet any potential adopters carefully.

I was able to find rented accommodation that accepts my cat quite easily TBH, maybe it's just this area. A few places did refuse, but I had the luxury of time to keep looking, I wasn't in a hurry to move.

I think it's worth asking about the cats (possibly with a larger deposit or an agreement to get the house professionally cleaned when you leave) even if the house advert says 'no pets'. They can only say no, after all. Some landlords may be open to it and it doesn't hurt to check.

Good luck!

Want2bSupermum · 10/11/2016 17:20

I am a LL who has rented before to people in receipt of HB. I would try to avoid using an agency and deal with the LL directly. Don't be dishonest about your HB but fully explain, you understand the issues, you are going to work FT etc. People like myself do not have a problem with that at all. I actually work with my tenants sometimes. One family has just had a bunch of unexpected expenses come up with their DC that I know they really can't afford so I have told them use their December rent top up on their DC for Christmas.

Original poster
pabstblueribbon · 10/11/2016 17:52

Sounds like there are some really lovely and understanding landlords here. I wish I could find one in my area! So it looks like I need to rehome my cats. I'd like to be able to say that they're not destructive but one of them in particular is terrible and has already scratched carpet and broken the blinds in my current property that I need to rectify before I move. Just called about a house and asked whether they would accept me if I had no pets and had a pt job. Fingers crossed. I want to ideally move in the next 2 months

OP posts:
MarsBarsAreShrinking · 10/11/2016 17:53

Don't give up! We rent and on paper we probably looked like tenants from hell! We get some HB (I do work but get some HB on top), we have a dog and a cat and we also wouldn't pass a credit check in a million years.

However! We were able to provide references from our last 2 landlords confirming that we always, without exception, paid our rent on time and that we left each property immaculate. We also needed to have a guarantor in place (but really, this is just a formalilty, if you are confident that you can afford your rent). Your other option (if it is an option?) is to offer 6 months rent in advance (we did that in our first rental). We also offered a higher deposit because of the pets but it wasn't needed.

Most adverts will say "no HB" and "no pets" as standard but don't let it put you off; there is no harm in asking and if you can meet the LL face to face that often helps.

Good luck.

StarBears · 10/11/2016 18:05

Is there anyone who would look after your cats temporarily whilst you find a place? I can see why LLs wouldn't be keen on dogs, (dirty paws, barking, pooing in the back garden/communal spaces) but cats generally aren't much trouble Confused I know you said yours broke blinds but if there aren't any blinds in your new place what can they do? Also, buy them a couple of scratching posts and keep them limited in terms of what rooms they are allowed in unless you are there (i.e. not in bedrooms or lounge when you go out). My parents are LL and have accepted people both with dogs and on HB so they are out there, just not that many of them. Great references will help if you can get them. You could say that although on HB you have never missed a payment etc.

I hope you find something suitable soon. It can't be easy, managing on your own. Flowers

StarBears · 10/11/2016 18:06

PS my parents would rather rent to HB and pets with excellent references than private tenants with poorer history of paying and damage left behind.

Memoires · 10/11/2016 18:22

As LL ourselves, HB is a pain in the arse due to the idiotic way it is handled; it's not as simple as a monthly payment 12 times a year, it's an annoying amount every 28 days, as well as being paid in arrears, when yes I do want it upfront. We did have a tenant on HB, she was here for 6 years and we were very sad that she left (she got married, so we were happy too).

The cats would be a serious problem to us as we have cats ourselves and our rental is attached to our house with door onto our garden that our cats use. Same with a dog, we would simply say no.

However, if you were to move into a place, and lend your cats to a friend for 6 months, then having shown your LL that you're a great tenant, they may very well agree to waive that problem.

WLF46 · 10/11/2016 18:23

Be realistic and accept in a "nicer" area landlords are not going to view you as prime tenant material if you are a single mother on benefits. You will be seen as a greater risk than a working family would be. Unfair, almost certainly, but that's how most landlords will look at it. They are trying to make a profit out of your basic human need for somewhere to live, they are only interested in their profit and would rather take the "safer" option with someone they see as more stable.

SheldonCRules · 10/11/2016 18:30

You can't have you cake and eat it. If you want a nicer area then you are going to have to work full time to afford the rent. Offer the landlord a bigger deposit and they may accept the cats.

A nicer area and decent school will have a lasting effect on a child, they don't remember the pre school years or look back and say I wish mum hadn't sent me to nursery or preschool.

Original poster
pabstblueribbon · 10/11/2016 18:56

I know that I can't have my cake and eat it too. I've applied for jobs but because I've been a sahm for the last 2 years I probably don't look like the ideal candidate to an employer either, despite having good qualifications. Jeez adult life is a barrel of laughs.

OP posts:
hazelnutlatte · 10/11/2016 19:12

If your dd is only 2 now you have plenty of time to get a job, save for a deposit and find someone to have the cats, there's no rush. Also remember you will get 15 hours free childcare when your daughter is 3 so that should help too

SuperLoveFuzz · 10/11/2016 19:52

Being a SAHM is a choice, if that choice is no longer working for you, change your choice. I would prefer not to work until my daughter is at school too but it's not the reality for most people. If you have qualifications you will be able to find a job you'll just need to stick at it.

harderandharder2breathe · 10/11/2016 20:03

Offer a guarantor and bigger deposit up front, don't wait to be asked because if there's multiple interested people then the ll or agent won't go for you to ask for it.

I have poor credit so offered a guarantor upfront for my rented property before they did a credit check that would've told them anyway. As it happens they didn't bother with the guarantor, but my mum has been one for me previously. I'd never put her in the position of actually having to pay!

But depending on the rental market in your area you may need to get rid of the cats. It's horrible I know, but as you've said, it's not simple to get a full time job when you've been a sahm for a while, the cats are the easier part of your situation to change

kerryob · 10/11/2016 20:13

Additional 2 weeks rent for pets is normal, you can also ask your LL for a reference for your cats sounds odd but I've seen them!

Go and register with agencies in the area and look up housing associations as some do private let's now. They may more receptive to HB. The market isn't great at the moment, look at right move and you can see how long the property has been on the market. If it's been a long period you could make an offer, the agency has to report it the landlord and could open discussions. Most landlords will be willing to negotiate with someone with a positive reference than have an empty place. Go and talk to them you never know unless you ask!

Don't give up your cats just yet!