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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to ask them to waive the need for a guarantor

313 replies

Tiredunicorn55 · 19/07/2019 22:14

So I have got myself into a bit of a sticky situation.

I have given my house up (due out on the 3rd August) and I’m currently staying with friends to enable me to save up to rent a bigger house as the one I had was far far too small for me and a baby- let alone all the things I need to for the baby.

I have found a house and applied for this and divulged that I am going on maternity leave in November and they have asked for a guarantor.
I’m assuming they have asked for this as I will be on reduced income and/or in receipt of universal credit for a period of time.

My problem is I have NONE to ask. My mum has an IVA and my dad is apply for his second mortgage and doesn’t want to get into golfed with it. Can’t ask my sisters or anyone else really.
Foolishly I didn’t think I would need a guarantor - it’s my first baby and thought it would be a simple straight forward process with the only obstacle being the raising of funds to get myself through the door.

Do I NEED a guarantor? I understand the reasons behind asking for one, of course, but I have an impeccable history of rental payments and household bills. I have got into a bit of difficulty with my council tax once but that was sorted within a month, but would this show on a credit check? Maybe? I don’t own my car so can’t even put that down as collateral.

Really at a loss as to what I can do now, any rental experts out there who can offer any advice? I’m not in a position pay a huge lump of rent upfront as I’ll just be able to get together the deposit and first month rent needed in time.

Any help is appreciated! Thank you

OP posts:
babysharkah · 19/07/2019 22:15

Maybe speak to CAB for advice. They can ask, and insist on a guarantor or rent in advance. I hope you manage to sort something.

44PumpLane · 19/07/2019 22:21

The landlord can simply refuse to rent to you without a guarantor, but you can also ask them and explain your circumstances.

Worst they can do is say no.

Batsypatsy · 19/07/2019 22:24

I have a similar problem, no one to be guarantor and currently receiving housing benefit, no one wants me as tenant, and the only way out seems to be paying six months rent up front.

The only thing I can suggest is look for a private landlord, not through a letting agent, as they tend to be more lenient. Agents always have rules to follow.

AnyFucker · 19/07/2019 22:26

Out of interest...how do you plan to pay your rent ?

Misty999 · 19/07/2019 22:26

I accepted a tenant that didn't have a suitable guarantor she paid three months rent upfront instead. Worth a try if you can raise the cash.

MitziK · 19/07/2019 22:28

You had a house and you gave it up when you knew you were going to be dependent upon benefits?

What were you thinking of?

Your best bet is to contact your original landlord and ask them - beg them - to let you rent there again.

Social housing would give you at best a bedsit (more likely a B&B place) until they decide you have made yourself intentionally homeless.

CoffeeRunner · 19/07/2019 22:29

If the LL has considered your application & will only accept you with a Guarantor then they are unlikely to change their mind.

It makes sense in a cold hearted business sense. Lots of mum’s decide to go back to work part time, or even not at all once the baby has arrived. Also, even when you do go back to work, full time childcare & a baby put a strain on anyone’s finances.

Candyfloff · 19/07/2019 22:30

If you're planning on paying the rent via benefit then they'll ask for a guarantor.
Or as PP have said 6 months up front.

They can just refuse you. Check your credit score on one of the free sites and see what that tells you regarding council tax.
If I were you, I'd be looking into private rentals. Going through an estate agent can cause more checks than what would happen should you contact a landlord directly.

Good luck.

Original poster
Tiredunicorn55 · 19/07/2019 22:30

I currently work full time so will be paying rent out of my own pocket until November and when I go on maternity leave (after the grace period for 6 weeks full pay) I assume I will be claiming universal credit and a’top up’ benefit as maternity pay is £147 or roughly per week.

I have applied to my local council to be housed but I’m not a priority and if I refused a house based on a location (there is mainly a council housing estate near where I live which I would prefer to not be housed should I have the choice) will I be offered another? I really don’t know. I want to be private or through agency as I have more freedom over choosing the area (closer to my parents, schools etc) then I could potentially be offered via the council.

OP posts:
crisscrosscranky · 19/07/2019 22:31

I'm baffled your old house was too small for you and a baby that hasn't been born yet.

Can you pay rent upfront?

Original poster
Tiredunicorn55 · 19/07/2019 22:32

Yes what was I thinking but as I said I didn’t think it would be an issue of this kind. Didn’t even think they would ask me for one to be honest as I have a good payment history and thought these things would be taken into consideration. Silly me

OP posts:
Fruitbatdancer · 19/07/2019 22:33

A lot of landlord insurance companies now insist on a gaurentor otherwise they won’t insure- so it’s often insurance company not landlord who’s making the decision. Hence they can’t undo it. It be looking for another rental ASAP and not divulging info like going on maternity (unless it’s v obvious!!)

Candyfloff · 19/07/2019 22:34

To be honest OP, you don't really have the choice at the moment.
If you're lucky enough to be offered a council property then you'd be stupid not to take it - it's not just you now. You're close to your baby being born without a roof over its head.

Original poster
Tiredunicorn55 · 19/07/2019 22:35

Yes I really was. Tiny 1 bed cottage even with my pram collapsed my living room was overrun with baby stuff, car seat, carry cot etc. My bedroom had a pile in the corner of baby things Moses basket and everything else I have crammed into it and around around it to make some space. If I put the Moses up I wouldn’t be able to open and shut my door. I thought I was being sensible by getting the ball rolling now at 5 months pregnant as I didn’t want to wait till I was ready to give birth to be house and then have to have the hassle of moving house, redecorating and the rest of it.

OP posts:
Candyfloff · 19/07/2019 22:36

Where is the baby's father in all of this?

Can he not give you some help to support you into a property?

Original poster
Tiredunicorn55 · 19/07/2019 22:37

I can’t not tell them and wouldn’t want to appear dishonest. They asked me for employer details and asked if anything would change in the next 12 months so didn’t want to lie to them really.

OP posts:
Missangrypants · 19/07/2019 22:37

Out of interest...how do you plan to pay your rent ?

I was just thinking the same thing. If the OP can only just scrape through one month's rent and the deposit, how will the rent get paid on reduced income.

I'm surprised that you didn't stay put where you were before or got a new one well before you start maternity leave.

I was asked by a close relative to be a guarantor but said no as it would have been a move that I knew would not have gone well.

Candyfloff · 19/07/2019 22:37

Have you signed up to your LAs bidding system?

Original poster
Tiredunicorn55 · 19/07/2019 22:41

I have recently given notice on the house I had and I have applied for a new one within the same month so I’ll be saving my rent I would of paid plus my bond and saving money by not paying other household bills so that’s how I can afford it. Might just mean I have to save up a little longer but this is what I mean when I say I didn’t think it would be a huge issue, just thought I would give up a house, save up, move into a new one and hey presto new house for me and little legs

OP posts:
Candyfloff · 19/07/2019 22:45

It's never that easy when going on maternity and relying on benefits OP.

Original poster
Tiredunicorn55 · 19/07/2019 22:47

Yep well I am realising that now

OP posts:
Original poster
Tiredunicorn55 · 19/07/2019 22:47

Suppose you can only learn from mistakes.

OP posts:
MitziK · 19/07/2019 22:48

Well, once you've disengaged your sarcasm mode, just console yourself with the thought as you're putting your baby to sleep in a B&B room that you gave up an entire house because you thought it wasn't good enough for you. Because I can assure you that it will seem like a blissful dream once your'e listening to families of five in the room next to you.

Like I said, ask your landlord to let you renew the contract. Or you are, quite simply, fucked.

Lochroy · 19/07/2019 22:50

Well you can ask, but I doubt they'd waive it, given you don't have sufficient funds nor a reliable future income. That's the whole point of the guarantor. What happens if you don't get the UC?

IncandescentShadow · 19/07/2019 22:51

The solution used to be to pay a large deposit or several months rent up front, but since the tenancy deposit scheme no longer permits more than 5 weeks rent equivalent as deposit, you're stuck with the latter. If you're not in a position to do that, unless the landlord is feeling generous and doesn't have a mortgage or insurance that insists on a guarantor, then its no go. Try finding a landlord who doesn't use an agent and speaking to them directly.

Tightening up the rules on buy to let and renting properties has also had the effect of tightening up the rules that apply to tenants too.

I'm afraid that most landlords and agencies would be asking you to justify why you are effectively homeless and planning maternity leave - its not an appealing combination for most landlords.