To ask DF to lend me 5.5k??

[GetInMyNelly]

Need to move soon. Living in private rented property but would like to move to a house.

Mother to 1 and living in a flat.

Due to benefits I have been advised my best option is to offer the first 6 months up front. So I'd need 5.5k including deposit.

To save this up would take me absolute years!

I can give 2.5k back within 2 weeks and then pay £600 a month for 5 months.

WIBU to ask DF for this??

I'm still not sure what's going on, so you have a house lined up? Have you got a deadline for the flat?

TBH he's your father, you can only ask. Wording...I'd say I was really grateful for help in the past, and that you're in a difficult housing situation

maybe but if you owe hm money already it depends how he feels about you asking again

What does "Due to benefits I have been advised to offer the first 6 months rent upfront" actually mean?
Do you intend to claim housing benefit after the first 6 months? I know most landlords won't touch you with a barge pole if you mention housing benefit.
Are you sure you'll be entitled to the same benefits if your circumstances change? i.e no rental costs as paid up.

How will it affect any benefits you're receiving?

I get help with HB, they won't have it.
Have advised to pay up front.

I paid 2 months upfront on the place I'm in now because I get HB help. Il still be entitled as all they ask for is my tenancy agreement. They don't ask if I've paid anything up front.

I haven't got notice (although I have found the property on right move to be sold! Just haven't been advised of this yet).

I have found a property, just wanted to sort the funds before I called them and offered the 6 months upfront (having had advise from another agency who turned me down for another property).

Yes. How will you ever be self sufficient if your family keeps subbing you like this.

This is what I would want my son to say (I'm old (57) he 'borrows' ...25% paid back)
'Ma, I know I owe you a fortune but I'm really stuck again, could you lend me the ££££'s to move and I promise to pay you back?'

As you've been paying back, it should be a no-brainer.
The only fly in the ointment could be if he hasn't got it spare to lose
lend.

I don't know if this is relevant to you but, firstly, when letting agents ask for "6 months rent up front", they're usually referring to a deposit of a sum amounting to 6 months of rent payments, with the agreement that you continue paying rent monthly from month 1 (yes, this is ridiculous). Secondly, if this is one of those rare occasions when this is not the case, then you won't be able to claim housing benefit after the first month until rent becomes payable again - ie. they will consider that you are not responsible for paying rent for 6 months meaning that you do not qualify for housing benefit.

‘Dad, I’m emailing to avoid putting you on the spot and would like to ask you a big favour. I would very much like to move and need some short term help. Would you be able to consider lending me x£ for y? I would repay you over 6 months and, obviously continue to repay my existing loan. If you can’t help please don’t worry at all. Much love.’

Right Yes it is a real problem to find a private rental when you're in receipt of benefits, which sucks! I was advised years ago to "play the system" in this way by my local CAB as it's the only way to get your foot in the door, so not judging.

Make sure you will definitely receive the housing benefit even though your rent is paid though and if HB would cover your increase in rent. You could end up shit creek if they stop it or ask for it to be paid back

I'd approach your dad with a written plan of your repayments to him and how you'd budget the repayments within a time scale.
If he sees your committed to paying him back, he will be more willing to help if he can .

I suppose also you need to consider whether he would see it as a necessity for you to move into a house. Especially if your flat is quite livable.

Well, you can only ask him!

Presumably some of the money will come back from the deposit for the current place?

"I don't know if this is relevant to you but, firstly, when letting agents ask for "6 months rent up front", they're usually referring to a deposit of a sum amounting to 6 months of rent payments, with the agreement that you continue paying rent monthly from month 1 (yes, this is ridiculous)."

Not that I have ever seen. You pay a deposit as well. That is usually 2 months rent, or some sum that is close to that.

Some letting Agents ask for enormous deposits depending on how long the rental contract is (equivalent to 6 months rent) so I think that's a fair point. OP make sure you've done all your homework on this and your 5.5k payment will leave you rent free for that period.

Also take in account an increase in all household bills when living in a house- heating, electricity, council tax and so on.

If it was my DD asking me, I would be much happier loaning her the money than take the risk she may go to a loan shark or similar. Perhaps approach your dad saying you could pay him back as you've explained but to borrow the money from a company or institution would mean extortionate interest you would struggle with.

If you pay upfront and don’t do the credit and employment checks from the beginning of your tenancy, you won’t be offered a rolling contract after the initial six months. You’ll be offered a contract to pay another 6 months in advance or to go through credit and employment checks and pay monthly with a rolling contract after the second term. The earnings thresholds are that your employed income needs to be 30-32 x your monthly rent. You could ask your father to make you a long term loan for the first 6 month term and repay that when you can, but in your situation you’ll always need six months upfront unless you find a LL who will accept your HB.

Thanks for the advice! Hadn't thought about the "being asked for another 6 months up front".

I did advise the "benefits" that I'd paid 2 months rent on my current place up front but that I'd effectively borrowed it. She said that it didn't matter as they only ask for my tenancy agreement to check the date my tenancy started and would pay me what it stated from the date I moved in.

Sad fact?? I don't think il ever be self sufficient. I'm one of those people who just manages to keep their heads above the water (not a life I wanted but sadly it's the life I have).

As a PP said "whether he thinks it's a necessity to move", that's what I was just saying to a friend. I think he'll say to stay put seeing as there is no urgent need to move. However I guess I don't like the uncertainty of not knowing when il be handed my notice (as the landlord is trying to sell).

You’ll be in a worse position on an upfront six month term in some ways as you’ll get no notice of their intention not to renew, until it’s time to renew. On a normal monthly tenancy you should get 2 months notice, maybe one on older contracts. The only advantage would be that you’d have six months rent saved up to move. Additionally private rents are subject to annual increases and these can be hefty depending on your monthly rent. You’d be better off looking at a longer term plan to save a deposit and get a small part buy/let. Perhaps your father would help with that? 5k could be enough to get you on the ladder.

OP what's the council housing situation like where you live? Would they help if you were given notice?

In the properties for sale section of rightmove use the drop down filter on ‘ownership type’ to find shared ownership property in your area. These are current properties for sale obviously, but you’ll get an idea of prices and criteria. Ask your local authority or housing association for contact details of all others with contracts to supply in your area and go on their waiting lists. You’re not committed to anything, but you never know what may come up. Focus on employment and study over the next 5 years to ensure you are attractive to lenders for a small mortgage.

Ask him OP, renting is so shit.... we earn ok money but have had a run of bad luck with houses and having to find £5k upfront every time we move (1 x months rent, 1.5 months rent as deposit + fees and moving costs) is crippling, but we are very lucky as able to borrow from.our employers and pay back when we get our deposit back.

Plenty of people have money for a house deposit from families so wouldn't be 'self sufficient'without that help.

We are 41 and 36 and will be accepting help to finally buy next year, we cant do it any other way.

The landlord could be selling with a sitting tenant (you), so you won't receive notice?

It's bloody difficult trying to make ends meet as a single mum. I sympathise.
I think it's sensible to be looking for other rental properties if your current landlord is planning to sell. I think they only have to give 3 months notice to evict so best to find out what options you have.

The best scenario is to find somewhere that only requires a deposit and 1 months rent. Do you have to declare housing benefit to a potential landlord? Can you get th HB paid directly to you? I don't think they can evict you just because HB are paying your rent once you're in.

Another option is to ask your dad to stand as guarantor for your rent. The credit check would then be based on his earnings.

I'm guessing you've already tried to get on to a council housing list? That would be another option although usually a long wait.

You could also see if there is a rent deposit scheme which covers your area.

england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/rent_deposit,_bond_and_guarantee_schemes

Only you know if he will help. I'd like to think I'd always help mine but if I had already paid upfront rent on one place and was asked for an even bigger amount for another move and they hadn't done anything themselves to prepare then would helping them again teach them anything? It wouldn't and I would be torn.

You need to do what you can to be self sufficient, you are a parent so should be providing for your child not still expecting your parents to be assisting.

Council won't touch me for 2 years, even when I went to them last year facing homelessness.

I only do voluntary work currently as I'm trying to update my skills and learn new ones so I can get better work (was in a dead end low paying job before DS).

Most agents won't accept me as I'm not in any employment (don't accept voluntary as anything relevant).

DF has offered to front the deposit and first months rent on new property and also be guarantor. I just can't get an agent who will accept me I've got an amazing record for paying rent.
Last 3 LL's can vouch for me.

I just don't know how I'd approach them about a property and then drop the whole "HB" into it without them writing me off completely.

Looking for ways around the procedures instead of taking control is unlikely to get you good results and certainly not lasting security. Look for property from a LL direct and cut out the agents in your case. Some LL will accept HB especially with a guarantor. Most agents won’t. You can’t get out of mentioning it because you need payslips and employer references anyway. You have more control than you think. Voluntary work is not an option, you need to be paid. Find a job that you can do that will enable you to work up to higher paying positions. A careers advisors would help you. Further education providers are excellent providers of career advice as are recruitment agencies. Without a salary you are always going to be vulnerable. Look at the leisure industry, hospitality in hotels and chains, these industries have positions for unskilled people to start, even if it’s cleaning and study for relevant qualifications. Also look at educational support-type jobs, caring etc. All have career progression potential and options to start without any qualifications.

You must have a breach then with the couuncil then OP if you have a suspended applications for 2 years be it a conviction or former tenants arrears, poor landlord reference, property conditions etc...

As the council have a legal obligation to house you if homelessness/section 21 is served etc....