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 volunteer for an advice charity and I see cases like yours all the time. People aren't being mean: they are being realistic. I'm afraid you could be refused help from the Council due to making yourself intentionally homeless (leaving a tenancy voluntarily). Also refusing an offer of a property will work against you (more intentional homelessness).

General information about finding accommodation and the rules regarding a council's housing duty - www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/finding-a-place-to-live/finding-accommodation/

Frankly, I would never advise anyone to be a guarantor. I seen guarantors get big bills to cover someone else's rent. It's a legally binding agreement not a meaningless piece of paper.

I agree with the people who have said that you should try to get a lease renewal on your current property.

I don't know where you live, but in London there aren't spare nice houses with gardens around and families get housed in hostels, b&bs and converted office buildings. People get stuck in these places for months or years and they can be many miles from the original area.

Also the baby's father has a legal duty to pay maintenance. Any maintenance you get does not get included in any benefit calculations. www2.dwp.gov.uk/contact-cmoptions/en/contact-us.asp

You seem to have sleep walked into your current situation, which is frustrating to read. I really would see if you can get your old house back with then see about social housing. Also contact your LA housing department to see what advise and assistance they can offer.

You could contact Shelter, they may be able to advise about deposit bond schemes etc, also you could see if the Family Fund (I think it is still called that) are able to help.

Well now I’m thinking have I got too much stuff?? Someone said something like why do I have bottles if I am planning on breast feeding? Where do I store the milk if not in the bottles after expressing? Say for instance I am leaving him with my mum for an hour whilst I have a kip? That’s a whole new aibu ha ha ha

Find another property, don’t mention the pregnancy, a tiny place on your own will
Be snitch better option than a bedroom with shared facilities.

Go to your city offices if the have a guarantor scheme. Do not
Mention the pregnancy, for what is worth, you are working and earning enough to pay the rent so hopefully showing evidence of income will suffice.

Don’t worry about the space your kid needs, while they are babies they just need a tiny safe place to sleep, even a carrycot sitting on your bed will do while you find a creative way to optimise your space.

Well, why do you have all this crap at only 5 months gone when it clearly doesn’t fit and you knew you wanted to move anyway?

You store milk in bags in the freezer. You don’t need many bottles.

You’ll be surprised how much you can streamline with common sense.

Won’t my employer tell them
Though? That’s the exact reason why I said I was pregnant in the first place as I didn’t want to look like a lying little so and so!

Well I just don’t think it will come to that. I have 4 months and a lot of options and suggestions and I just know I’m not going to end up in a b&b.

My dad can’t be one, he’s said no and that’s final.

Totally understand why you wouldn’t advise people to be a guarantor - I wouldn’t be. Which says a lot!

I just hope things work out for you as you just know they will. Have a backup plan in place in case they don’t.

It really is mad to try to move now. If you haven't moved out yet then get rid of some of your stuff that you don't need and make do in the house you're in until you go back to work and can rent a nicer property without a guarantor. That's honestly the only sane option right now.
Renting in the U.K. in most areas is absolutely brutal. The deposit guarantee scheme won't help much as you have to find a landlord yourself who will accept it and that's as likely as finding one who will accept you on maternity leave with no guarantor.

I wouldn’t really say it’s crap - I fact I wouldn’t say any of it is crap. it’s essential things my baby needs. I’m not putting my baby to sleep in a pram carrycot. He will be sleeping in a Moses basket. I will use the pram to get out and about plus do I take the pram upstairs to bed with me? Or do I lay the carry cot on the floor/bed Am I stupid? Or is a Moses basket just easier to have next to your bed?

Well the bags would be your opinion but I think I would like to use the bottles. Bought majority of my stuff second hand so it’s not like I’ve been blitzing my wages on brand spanking new things. In fact I can’t think of 1 thing I have bought brand new.

You actually might not end up in a b&b, you’re right. The council will refuse help as you’ve made yourself homeless. Nowadays having a child doesn’t get you the pass it once does and inadequate housing through choice will attract the attention of social services.

I’m not trying to scare you but you seriously need to take your head out of the sand.

Lots of babies don't like Moses baskets OP!

It’s not that you’ve bought it, it’s that you dont have space for it. Why can’t your child sleep in a carrycot?

How old are you? You sound really young and stubborn.

It’s great you have a lot of options. What are they?

Mine slept in a sleepyhead on the coffee table in the day

Op, you think you won’t end up in a b&b but it’s very possible you will....

You need to look at the outside in, I’m afraid strangers don’t care about you or your baby. The govement has a small duty of care to ensure you have a roof, be it a hostel or b&b. I think you need to do some proper research.

People on here are trying to advise you, you’re thinking things won’t come to that and blah blah. Why would they want to rent to someone high risk on benefits with no back up? It’s their mortage at risk! Their retirement. I think you must be quite young. Your dream of a spare room and a garden for your child to play in isn’t their dream.

They want low risk tenants, and if they can’t pay their rent they have a guarantor.

Please think properly and seek advice not just on here if you refuse to take it on board.

It’s the real world not a fairy tale. :(

What do you think the difference between a carrycot and a Moses basket actually is, op?

P.s my baby hated her Moses basket, screamed until I took her out...

She also hated her sleepy head. Two wastes of money. You have no idea what you’re in for love!

I’m not as young as you may think I am but yes I am stubborn. I bought these things because my sister was selling them second hand and why the hell not grab a bargain while I can. My head isn’t in the sand I guess my skin has grown about an inch thicker since posting this initially - I am aware of the consequences as pointed out several times by previous posters but at 12.40 at night I can’t really make any calls now.

My options are as people have suggested here! I can find a new private landlord, ask for a new lease on my current tenancy, ask if this new landlord would accept me without a guarantor and if all fails and I really am on the verge on intentional homelessness then I’m pretty sure my family wouldn’t see me out on the streets. See I have been listening 😉

Yup and I guess it’s a good job I haven’t wasted my money on more crap ha ha

Don’t forget living with family could affect your benefits, and theirs if they get them.

Not wanting to derail, but what would an unemployed individual do if refused benefits? Starve to death on a bench or would unlawful means become a necessity?

I wish you all the best, it’s hard being single parent.

Thinking a baby will sleep in Moses basket did tickle me. My baby refused to sleep anywhere for awhile! It’s very tough job, go easy on yourself and please listen to people with experience. I think you should stay put, my dd slept in my bed for the first 6 months didn’t end up using anything I bought!

Yep I’m aware and no I wouldn’t try and scam the system before anyone suggests I would. Morally wrong and not worth the penalties

I'm surprised your sister made you pay for her used baby stuff knowing you're about to become a single mum.