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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what its like living in a B&B?

30 replies

darkriver198868 · 22/03/2018 10:20

I have written before that my children are going to be adopted due to my poor mental health and limited support. I moved in with a friend after my benefits dropped by £1250 to £561. My rent was £550. Anyway I have been living at my friends for 3 months. When I moved in we agreed that I would try and find a place ASAP. I havent been able to. Two days ago he gave me notice and has said he wants me to move out by the 21st April.

I have already spoke to the council and they said that until I am homeless offically they wont provide assistance and if they do they might put me in a B&B.

So I am trying to prepare myself for this. I am trying not spend anything over the next 30 days except on food and transport. I now get UC (LCWRA) and PIP (Enhanced Daily Living and Standard mobility)

I have been scouring websites but havent found anywhere. The one property I could find that allows HB has been let already.

Do you have any tips or tricks on how I can approach this? How I cook very cheaply with potentially just a kettle?

Thank you for your help.

OP posts:
Original poster
darkriver198868 · 22/03/2018 15:11

Anyone?

OP posts:
MyDcAreMarvel · 22/03/2018 15:19

Am sorry you are having such a horrible time. I bought my dd a mini slow cooker for uni it cost £12 and takes up very little room if you are able to save for one. Actually she never fliiping uses it so if you are local you could have it.
My sister was in a B and B when was homeless ( she stayed with us for three months but needed to stay in the B and B to be classed as homeless to go on the housing waiting list)
It wasn't great but the breakfasts were huge and she had free wifi and a tv.
Whereabouts in the country are you?

Original poster
darkriver198868 · 22/03/2018 15:22

I am in Somerset. I have a slow cooker allready. Thank you.

OP posts:
abigailsnan · 22/03/2018 18:06

Will the Council be paying the cost of B&B for you or do you have to contribute out of your £561.00.
If not that amount is well over £140.00 per week to feed and keep yourself which many people in full time employment don't have to be honest so you must be able to manage to live on that.
Buy a microwave and frozen meals for the evening and make sandwiches for the daytime if you cannot stay all day in the B&B,your toiletries can be bought from pound shops so there is no reason not to be able to manage.Make yourself a budget and stick to it and you will soon be able to get some spare money together for a deposit for a flat/bedsit and get yourself back on track.Good luck.

SpitefulMidLifeAnimal · 22/03/2018 18:14

You're getting more than £561 per month now though, surely? Your PIP should be £410-ish per month alone.

Original poster
darkriver198868 · 22/03/2018 18:16

When I was living in my private rental it left me £11 for the entire month once I paid my rent. I have been looking at private rents and all of them dont allow benefits. I have been looking. I cant move to far out of the area as I still have meetings and contact regarding children. If I moved up north I could find a place to rent. From what I have been reading on line I will have contribute towards the rent and services charges.

OP posts:
Original poster
darkriver198868 · 22/03/2018 18:18

Yes I am now. However, I have been unable to find a private place to rent as none of them allow HB. I have looked on DSSmove. Right move, zoopla and spareroom. The one property that was available was well out of distance and was on a limited bus route which I would need.

OP posts:
Fintress · 22/03/2018 18:21

Sorry you are going through this Flowers. Have you contacted Shelter. The fact you have a disability should entitle you to be prioritised by the council (as far as I know). SHELTER

Original poster
darkriver198868 · 22/03/2018 18:26

Fintress I have already been given great advise from Shelter. They should help. I did ask the council if they could refer me to a help to let scheme (Where you borrow fees and rental deposit) but they said until my notice is up they cant do anything. So I am saving every spare penny and hope something comes up. I am quite happy to go private again. However, I was astonished at the price of fees! In my area one of the lowest I found was £260.

OP posts:
Sleephead1 · 22/03/2018 18:30

I havnt any experience of living in a b and b but so sorry you are having such a hard time. have you tried looking for property's not with a agent in North East so may be totally different but people do manage to rent with housing benefit I know one person found their flat on gum tree have you looked on anything like that? Have you typed in your area then accepts housing benefits to see if anything comes up? sorry if no help. If you end up in a b and b do you have a microwave you could take? if you only get a kettle I think mug shots and noodles can be cooked that way but obviously not brilliant food. if you don't get a fridge maybe try and get a cool box if you would be aloud to freeze the ice packs that way could keep milk and sandwich stuff cool. if not I think you would have to shop daily. hopefully someone with more experience will be along soon

Original poster
darkriver198868 · 22/03/2018 18:35

At the monent moving up north would be a hassle as I have meetings with Social Services still and contact with my girls. I have been looking everywhere.

OP posts:
Springiscoming123 · 22/03/2018 18:37

are you not claiming esa op

Original poster
darkriver198868 · 22/03/2018 18:39

No I am on UC. I get the standard rate and the LCWRA.

OP posts:
Springiscoming123 · 22/03/2018 18:46

sorry i dont understand uc,thank god not on it yet

so thats your total income

GrannyGrissle · 22/03/2018 19:00

Sorry can you explain what happened re benefits please? So you were getting what DLA -£112P/W
ESA?
Income Support?
Child benefits?
Housing benefits?
Council tax paid?

They took away ALL of that except the DLA? Why? Genuinely want to know, not goady or judging (more horrified on your behalf).

LewisFan · 22/03/2018 19:05

I work with people who are sometimes living in B&B after becoming homeless.

They have a lockable bedroom, own toilet and shared kitchen and shower usually.

They're mostly only in there whilst Housing do the assessment which should take 28 days, so although not wonderful, it's not impossible to cope with.

LewisFan · 22/03/2018 19:08

Oh and it probably won't be a random holiday hotel type place, it'll be a hotel let by the local authority for people in similar situations, hence full use of kitchen etc

Original poster
darkriver198868 · 22/03/2018 19:14

When I had my girls my income was:
Income support £174 pw. (I got severe disablement premium)
Child Benefit: 34.40 pw
Child Tax £116 pw
Dla £105 pw
Rent was £530 at the time. Landlord increased rent 2 months later. which was covered with HB

When I lost my girls I had to UC claim and lost everything. I had to take out an advancement to cover the rent and had about £80 for 5 weeks.
I was only receiving £51 UC (£ 281 standard allowance and £300 housing element. I was hit by the bed room tax.)and my DLA. £420
My rent was £550
I also had council tax to pay, electric, transport cost to go to contact 3 times a week 20 miles away. I also had to attend several court appearances. I sold everything that was nailed down. but I was suffering. I couldnt afford to put the heating as there was storage heaters and they drain electric.

Two days after I left my private rental I got notification that I have been award LCWRA. My income went up.

OP posts:
Original poster
darkriver198868 · 22/03/2018 19:15

That should be £581 UC.

OP posts:
Original poster
darkriver198868 · 22/03/2018 19:17

@Lewisfan on the letter I have from the council they said they typical put people in the local travelodge.

OP posts:
ClashCityRocker · 22/03/2018 19:17

They do vary quite a bit.

Some will be like actual bnbs with an ensuite.

Most in my city are more bedsit style - its a lockable room with a bed, wardrobe and a kitchenette area with sink. There was a countertop oven and hobs but nothing else.

We had three shared toilets and one shared bath/shower room between eight.
There was also a shared kitchen which had a fridge and cooker. Noone used it - put anything in the fridge and it walked.

I eventually got a small fridge for my room off free cycle.

It wasn't great but it wasn't terrible. The biggest issue isn't usually the accommodation itself but the people in with you. If you keep yourself to yourself it's generally fine. I was in there for about six or seven months before getting a flat.

LewisFan · 22/03/2018 19:17

The LA could/should give you travel warrants for contact? Ask the girls' SW for one for each contact.

ClashCityRocker · 22/03/2018 19:18

A travelodge would be alright, I should think.

Can you get a counter top cooker or microwave oven?

LewisFan · 22/03/2018 19:19

That might be just whilst they find temporary housing... I cant imagine an L.A. paying rates like that for many nights!

Original poster
darkriver198868 · 22/03/2018 19:20

@Lewisfan Social Services havent offered in six months. Luckily they have now moved the contact to 10 miles away. Which is easier to access for me as can get the bus.

OP posts: