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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I cant afford my rent anymore!!

232 replies

Purplecrocsrock · 10/08/2018 21:00

Me and DH, and DD whos 14 months signed contract 4 months ago £875 a month, DH earns around £1600 a month, but we have been constantly living in the credit card since we moved in, paying energy/council tax/water and car insurance has just increased by 40 per month.
What will happen if we find somewhere cheaper, with the contract we have signed for 12 months here?

OP posts:
NinetySixer · 10/08/2018 21:11

You are tied in. The best thing is to speak with your landlord and see if they would consider a reduction in rent or your assisting with finding a new tenant.

But legally you have to pay rent until the end of the contract plus all utilities.

Perhaps speak with shelter.

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 10/08/2018 21:12

Do you work? 1600 a month is tight.

planetclom · 10/08/2018 21:13

Are you claiming all you are entitled to? Do you claim housing benefit? Can you get a job?

19lottie82 · 10/08/2018 21:14

Can you pick up some evening work while your DH looks after DD? Even 10 hours a week @ min wage could be over £300 a month?

dotty12345 · 10/08/2018 21:14

I was in this situation when I found out my dad was very ill (only child would need to take (unpaid) leave) I was honest and they let me leave before tenancy ended with no consequences

Original poster
Purplecrocsrock · 10/08/2018 21:23

DH works night shifts- 6-6 so gets home at 7, sleeps till 1/2 so not rrslly any time for me to go to work! Im also studying. We get 100 per month from universal credit. But we have debts we have to pay- credit card, and a catalogue my mum fraudulently took out in my name and spent 1000 on.
I asked the Landlord for a reduction but he said he couldn't possibly as he wanted 950 for it at the beginning. Not really worth it fot a 2 bed terraced!!
Do you need a license to work from home say ironing people's clothes?

OP posts:
NapQueen · 10/08/2018 21:25

Did you report your mum to the police? I cant see why you would be liable for that bill.

Original poster
Purplecrocsrock · 10/08/2018 21:26

The 1600 is after debts are paid (250 a month) so he comes out with around 1850 a month, I've been looking for jobs when hes off work usually 2 or 3 random days a week, but no one offers that flexibility

OP posts:
GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 10/08/2018 21:26

No you don’t. Just register as self employed with HMRC (very easy).

Singlenotsingle · 10/08/2018 21:27

Rent comes before credit cards and catalogue debts.

NapQueen · 10/08/2018 21:27

Stepchange are a great advisory sevice who could help work out what you can do.

Original poster
Purplecrocsrock · 10/08/2018 21:27

My mum has passed away so can't claw back any money from her or as the catalogue said i need to prove to them it was her

OP posts:
NapQueen · 10/08/2018 21:29

Can you jot down here what your general outgoings are? There may be things that can be trimmed/swapped/stopped.

Have you checked for cheaper utilities?

Rent and utilities comes above everything else.

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 10/08/2018 21:33

Agree it should be the debt you can’t afford anymore - not the rent! Priorities!!

abbsisspartacus · 10/08/2018 21:34

Step change or christians against poverty they can help for free

DroningOn · 10/08/2018 21:35

As a former landlord I'd say be open and honest.

I'd prefer to have got something than nothing and they might allow an early termination.

SunnySkiesSleepsintheMorning · 10/08/2018 21:35

How old is your DD, 14 or 16 months?

LuluJakey1 · 10/08/2018 21:35

Did you shop around for car insurance. I have just reduced mine by over £500 a year by shopping around online.
Can you look at your outgoings again? Phones? Food bills? Anything spent on extras like a drink or takeaways?
Otherwise, do you claim everything you are entitled to?
Could you or he get a part time job at night?
I wish I could suggest something more useful.

WindyWednesday · 10/08/2018 21:36

Sort out th debt. If she’s passed away, you surely can’t be responsible.

Original poster
Purplecrocsrock · 10/08/2018 21:39

875 rent
135 council tax
Energy 92
Water 34
Wifi 20
Phone 20 his 22
Nappies 12
Wipes 6
Gym 35 (DH adamant he cant cancel this)
Car insurance 245
Then food

OP posts:
Etymology23 · 10/08/2018 21:39

£40pcm extra is £480 per year more! Can that be negotiated down?

I would consider doing a statement of accounts on debt free wannabe in the money saving expert forum. They can comb through outgoings and provide really useful advice.

RB68 · 10/08/2018 21:40

Its in her name not her Mums

Original poster
Purplecrocsrock · 10/08/2018 21:40

Sorry DD is 16 months don't know where the 14 came from

OP posts:
Etymology23 · 10/08/2018 21:40

That car insurance is bonkers! Nearly £3k a year. What’s the car? Or is one of you a very new driver?

Isleepinahedgefund · 10/08/2018 21:41

Presumably you get child benefit as well as the universal credit? Don’t forget if you start working your UC will be affected at a certain point, so it might be a false economy.

As has been said, rent needs to be prioritised above debts. If you can’t afford your expenses because of the debt, you need to stop paying the debt and make an arrangement with your creditors. If you still can’t afford your expenses having done that, you need to rethink your budget.

It’s important you stop using credit to meet your living expenses, that will make things worse in the long run as the amount you need to repay goes up.

Stepchange are really good and will go through a budget with you to work out what you can afford.

Your rental contract will have a “break” clause after 6 months, I think that’s standard, my last 12 month one did. Definitely speak to your landlord if you do want out early - but don’t forget you will need a deposit etc up front to rent somewhere else, which sounds like it might be difficult for you right now.