Aibu to ask them to waive the need for a guarantor

[Tiredunicorn55]

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

I private rented for 10 years op. Never missed a rent payment, was never late with a rent payment, left the various places in good condition, no complaints ever made about my tenancies. I worked ft at the time, had no dependents. I still needed a uk based property owning guarantor for each and every one of my tenancies. It's a standard thing these days, and by these days I mean it has been for a long while, especially if you cannot demonstrate a stable level of income which would facilitate your paying the rent. It was extremely naive of you not to realise this. Did you not provide a guarantor for your too small cottage?

Also, as an aside I notice that you have avoided answering questions about the baby's father so perhaps he is absent from the proceedings but if not, be aware that if he will be living with you and earns even a meagre wage you are unlikely to qualify for UC whilst on stat mat pay. It is certainly not a given that you'll get what one benefit calculator is predicting. How soon do you expect to return to work after your baby is born?

I do feel you are getting a bashing OP.

Plus, the OP clearly doesn't have the father in a position to help her and it is bloody rude to keep digging!

I'm sorry it hasn't worked out - the rental market can be a shock to the system if you aren't used to it. Try the council and speak to the estate agents in person. You haven't let your baby down at all.

Op, I really feel for you. Your only choice here is to ask for a new tenancy on your little cottage, get back to work after your maternity leave and save to move to a bigger house then. I have lived in a tiny little cottage so I know where your coming from, except it was exDH, baby DD and myself. We made do with as little baby stuff as we could, she didn’t have a cot until we brought a bigger house when she was around 8 months, she slept in the carrycot of her pram in the living room. She survived. I know you want the best for your baby and you will give them the best you can for now, the future will be different.
Please don’t make yourself homeless.

Best advice is to go back to your LL and try to stay where you are until you are back in FT work and saved up a lot more money and/or the father needs to be guarantor and pay for his child.

It must be a full moon. I’ve read a few threads this evening and wondered if some posters could be any nastier if they tried. Good god.

Have you saved enough money to cover all your bills between Mat pay and the wait for benefits?

I believe it's a minimum of 6 weeks before the first payment.

I'd be looking at childcare arrangements asap, too. UC is far more helpful to people in FT work wrt to helping with childcare costs.

Actually considering deleting my account on here never realised how nasty some people can be. Knowing full well I’m pregnant and under stress and worry but as long as it’s in the name of being realistic it’s okay I guess

Plus, the OP clearly doesn't have the father in a position to help her and it is bloody rude to keep digging!

Really wasn't trying to be rude. The father of the baby really should be helping out in some way ( I know this doesn't always happen) It wasn't clear from the first post that he wasn't around apologies if I have offended.

Could you approach your landlord with a view to moving back short term and maybe transferring to a more suitable property in the near future?

Assuming they might have a portfolio of several properties and possibly even buying more, by moving with the same landlord this would avoid the question of a guarantor. And they already know you are a good, reliable tenant.

I don't know if this has been asked but could you move in with one of your parents?

Well no he’s not around to ask for help. Feel so disheartened and upset about this now.

Has anyone ever used the rental guarantor service out of curiosity?

You are getting a hard time here OP, but there is good advice within it. You’re unlikely to get a new tenancy if you’re honest about your plans, you’re simply too high a risk for a landlord. As a new mother with a newborn, you will be prioritised by the LA, but that could mean a grotty B&B, or a tiny flat that could be anywhere. And you won’t get much choice.

If you can’t stay with family - which might be an idea? Give you some extra support? - then your best bet is trying to stay put, or at least trying to stay with friends for enough time to save up for a new place - every single penny you can. Sell anything you can, stop buying baby stuff and just save.

Line up your plans A, B, C... for where you and baby will live. Then tackle maintenance payments from the father, he should be contributing.

Best of luck with everything. Whatever happens you will be OK. Hard times come to all of us, they make us all stronger.

I have already asked about other properties there is directly next door to me but it will have the same Problems although it is bigger and has a second room.

I want to find somewhere long term where I can stay out for a good number of years hence why I said about the garden and bedroom etc and this property I have seen does have a lot of benefits (nice location, super close to my parents, 3 schools close by)

I guess if I can’t grt what I need then I’ll just have to keep on chipping away until I do. I will be able to stay where I am when the baby arrives that’s if it gets to that but I’m sure I’ll be able to pull something out of the bag

That carry cot thing for the pram is where the baby should sleep for the first few months. Ditch the Moses basket. High chair and cot not required until at least 6mo. Store them in a parent’s or sister’s House. All you need are clothes and nappies. Wait and see for the rest.

I agree with pp: you need to lower your expectations. Having a baby is h-a-r-d. Plus you're doing it on your own. Beg for your little cottage back. You’ll regret giving it up.

Yes indeed they do. I have dried my tears now and I know I’ll get it sorted one way or another but the bottom line is YES I am being unreasonable to ask them to waive the guarantor ha ha

A change of law made the guarantor necessary. I would honestly find a way to make your present home work for a while or things will get more difficult for you.

OP a small house is better than no house at all. If your old landlord can offer you a place then for god's sake take it with both hands, even if it is cramped. It will be better than living in a room in a council-funded BnB.

You need to secure the basics for you and your baby NOW, you can worry about the fine tuning and getting your perfect house when you are secure.

Unfortunately in your situation you cannot afford to be choosy (and I say that in the kindest possible way).

No I’m not going to stay where I am. Thanks for the advice though but I’m not happy there it’s not home and yes I understand about b&bs and all that but I’m really sure it’s not going to come to that.
Gonna waddle on down to redwoods tomorrow and plead my case and go from there.

I’ve been homeless, with 4 kids. It really wasn’t fun.

Honestly, go ask your LL to rip up your notice and stay.

Oh I can imagine and I’m sorry you've had to go through that.

Not unreasonable exactly, lovely, but it’s unlikely to make a difference because the landlord needs it.

Staying where you are if it’s possible sounds like a really good plan. You can always move down the line when you’re back at work and everything is a bit more stable. My oldest (now 6) stayed in my room til she was 18mo, and she wouldn’t have minded being there longer - I was just fed up of waking up every time she moved!

Keeping some stuff in your car is a great idea. It if you’re breastfeeding, your kit list will be minimal.

It might not be your dream situation, but it will be okay.

Hi Op, I'm a single parent and have lived in 1 bedroom flat with my son for almost 4 years now, he sleeps in bed with me and it's fine.

Try not to worry about your child needing their own bedroom or a garden as it won't be needed for quite a while. I think you will struggle to find anyone to rent to you when you're a single parent relying on benefits. You'll often see rental adverts with 'NO DSS' which means no benefits accepted.

Just get your dad to be the guarantor hes your best option by the sounds of it.

Why on earth do you think ‘it won’t come to that’?

Seriously, do you honestly think somehow you’ll get special treatment?

I was so lucky, that the B & B I was in was great, but Most aren’t.