AIBU to move house now? Single mum/Universal Credit advice please!

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Hi all, I was wondering if I could ask some pretty urgent advice on what to do in my situation. Urgent as in I’ll need to decide before tomorrow! I’ve got myself into a real dilemma here. I’m particularly looking for advice from people who’ve had to shift onto universal credit from tax credits suddenly and all that entails.

Backstory: I’m a single mother of three kids (aged 17, 7 and nearly 5) living in a pretty rough, crime ridden London borough. My oldest son was mugged last month on the way home from school and there are daily fights/stabbing/robberies where we are. Not good. Most of the schools have gone downhill also and although I actually do really like the schools my kids are currently at, I wouldn’t want to send my younger two to secondary school locally when the time comes if I’m honest. It’s really spiralled round here but it is better the devil you know.

I’ve lived in the area most of my life and when I left my abusive ex 5 years ago, we had to go into temp accommodation for a while until I found the private rental we are currently in just over 4 years ago.

It’s dreadful; the agents try their best but the landlady lives quite far away and just doesn’t care at all. There have been several major leaks that’s she’s left to get worse (which have seeped through wood/brick/plaster), my boiler exploded and she left the cylinder leaking through to downstairs for two weeks (a couple of months after I’d decorated 🤦🏼‍♀️), she left us with a broken oven for three months. The back room has leaked for the entire time I’ve lived here and destroyed a lot of my kids toys. (I’ve now thrown/moved everything out of there Bar a spare freezer so we’ve lost the use of that room. The laminate was all broken even when we arrived, etc. The radiators have all stopped working and it’s getting cold again. The list goes on and on - she just does not care about making her house a decent place for her tenants to live. I have spent a lot of my own money into the place, decorating, paying plumbers to fix some of the leaks and professional cleaners to help with the mould. But quite frankly I’m sick of plying my own money into this bitch’s house when she won’t fix the source of many of the problems in the first place (identified by Thames water as faulty piping). On top of the shitty house and shitty area, I am so, so done.

I’ve managed to save up enough money for a deposit/first months rent on a new place (no mean feat for a low earner when rents are extortionate in the southeast). As I said, my earnings are not great and are topped up by tax credits/housing benefit (another issue as not many agents/landlords want to know). I’m not proud of it. But I’ve managed to find a nice little place in a town 10 miles outside of London (decent road/rail links however). It’s slightly smaller, but everything is new (floors/kitchen/bathroom) and it’s lovely. The area is nice and boring safe with good schools. I’ve been well and truly seduced even though the timing is not sensible.

Problems: we’d have to commute down for the next year as my oldest is doing his a-levels and can’t move schools at this point. I also work down in the original area so would wait to move jobs/kids to new schools until my eldest had finished his exams. That’s a 20 mile round trip every day until next summer. That will be very stressful on all of us (and maybe too much strain for our little Hyundai)!

I’ve also been on the phone to HMRC for advice as I’d been made aware that I’d have to switch over to Universal Credit and the guy on the other end of the phone advised me not to and to wait a couple of years to move until all tax credits claims change over to UC on a “managed move” so that we retain the same level of financial help. He told me that moving onto UC suddenly would mean quite a drop in income and potentially a long wait for the money to come through, meaning that I could go into rent arrears on the new place in the first couple of months of living there which is not brilliant and is now causing my new agents to wobble (the decision may well be taken out of my hands by them tomorrow actually)! The guy at HMRC was very kind; he suggested that saving a bit more money before I move would be better - to cover 2/3 months rent instead of one as UC is notoriously unreliable. He also told me that if I move house/change jobs within the borough I’m currently living then I can stay on my existing claim. He suggested I sit tight where I am for a couple of years and get into a better position before moving as so many people who had done what I’m planning were in lots of trouble now. My oldest will come off it when he hits 18 and goes to uni but apparently that will not trigger UC - he’ll just come off the claim. Anyone know if that’s correct?

This is all very worrying and I’m wondering if I should pull out of the move. The new house will be ready in a month (an overwhelming thought as it is) but I’ve not gone too far into the process yet to put a halt to it. I’d lose my holding deposit (£288) - a costly mistake. But I’ve not paid the whole lot yet so it’s not too late to back out.

But then we’d be stuck here in this depressing hell hole and I can’t stand this house. It’s making me and the kids so flipping depressed. AIBU to move now regardless or should I be sensible and stay put for the time being? I’m thinking I have two or three options:

1.	Stick with moving to the new place, go on to universal credit and become a lot poorer. Live in a beautiful, well taken care of house/area. But a 20 mile daily commute back and forth during my son’s a-level year is iffy. The kids could have a lovely life in the new area and we have a support network up there. But the finances are worrying me hugely as is the commute. It seems a case if right house/wrong time.

2.	Find a house (how long would that take?) and move within my current borough so that my kids are local to their schools and I’m nearer to work. I could stay on the safer tax credits/housing benefit system within my local authority so the whole move would be smoother and more timely. But the area is still a shithole (perhaps something we could cope with if the house wasn’t also a shithole) and rents are pricier (albeit not by much). Start saving up again for a “forever move” to the more rural area I was looking in which could take another few years! (Before the younger two start secondary school). 

3.	Stay in the current house we’re living and plunge all my savings into fixing (well, patch-jobbing) my evil landlady’s house. Actually this is not an option - I would resent it so much I would go properly mad. 

Just to note: I’m not proud of my current situation, having to claim tax credits/housing benefit top up like this. I wouldn’t have dreamed we’d end up in this situation. And I know there are people out there who believe beggars can’t be choosers and we should suck up living in a quite frankly gross and dangerous house. (I’ve met people with this attitude). But my children’s health, happiness and safety is not something I’m willing to compromise on regardless of my social standing as one of societies’ underclass. When I am fully qualified in a few years I will need less or no help from the government with any luck. I am also raising three (potentially higher rate) tax payers with any luck! 🤞🏻

If any one has any knowledge on this stuff I would be forever grateful...

Ok AnotherEmma, so when she reports her change of circumstances to Tax Credits, what do you think they are going to tell ? Do you think they are going to say”ok we will wait till you claim housing benefit and then we will stop your claim?” Please the woman needs help not people swearing and acting like know it alls.

Op could chose to stay on tax credits and just not claim help with housing at her new address. However she is likely to be better off on Uc. Uc gets a bad press but a lot of people are better off.

These are some of the triggers for a UC Claim. Scroll down to “moving and taking up another tenancy”
www.entitledto.co.uk/help/changes_that_trigger_Universal_Credit

Uc switching is fine as long as you aren’t disabled.

It’s a decent idea but they’ve just fucked some bits up s the most vulnerable lose out.

You will have to switch though if you’re claiming in a new area, as you know. But if you wait to be plonked over they will ensure they match what you’re getting now, they will not if you voluntarily switch. It’s a nightmare, but like I say if you aren’t disabled and you don’t have more than 2 children you will be fine

Agree with PPs-do the UC calculation for the new address. It will indicate how much you could get along. Also, create a budget with new costings (for if you move).

benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/AboutYou

Even if you get less on UC, as long as rent, bills, expenses are covered and you can manage with whatever is left over, I'd move.

As PP have said, you need money for Nov rent and Xmas. Take the advance.

"Ok AnotherEmma, so when she reports her change of circumstances to Tax Credits, what do you think they are going to tell ? Do you think they are going to say”ok we will wait till you claim housing benefit and then we will stop your claim?”"

"we will wait till you claim housing benefit"
Well they'll be waiting a long time, since she won't be able to make a new claim for housing benefit!

It's very simple. OP will update her tax credits claim with her new address (online or by phone). If she wants she can also tell them that she is planning to claim Universal Credit. The systems are all automated (if you really do "work for Universal credit" I would have thought you know this... oh wait maybe not!) so claiming UC will automatically end the tax credits claim.

It's funny you're calling me a "know it all" just because I have more knowledge about this than you seem to have.

I work for Citizens Advice but of course anyone can claim that on here, hence advising OP to visit/contact Citizens Advice. They will be able to go a calculation, which I can't do without a lot more information.

No advice regarding benefits but I think it's disgraceful that your landlady can get away with renting substandard accomodation.
You could contact environmental control. A friend did this for her rental flat, they immediately declared the oven unfit for use and forced the landlord to replace immediately. They did a report for the rest.
She moved out though before all the damp problems were sorted.

How serious is your son with his studies? If you think a move wouldn't disrupt him then maybe go for it. If not hang on until next summer.

I was £150 a month better off on UC than tax credits! Obviously not everyone is but it tends to benefit working single parents. It’s really not the big scary thing it’s made out to be in the press, people forget how abysmal the old system was. I never had any problems at all. Just do the online calculation on entitledto and it’ll tell you exactly what you’ll get on UC. As other have said, you can get a loan of the first months payment so you won’t go into rent arrears.
Oh and to the person who suggested you move to the north east and work 6 days a week so as to “not need benefits”... massive eye roll. Maybe employers should pay decent wages and landlords should charge reasonable rents so ordinary working people don’t have to compromise their quality of life by working themselves to death. How about that instead.

The OP has three children - I would be very cautious about her being better off under UC.

I'd say try to get as much credit approved as you can for emergencies (such as UC being delayed) and go for it.

An 18 year old is perfectly capable of being dropped off at a train station and making their own way to and from college.

"The OP has three children - I would be very cautious about her being better off under UC."

Nope. The two child rule only applies to children born on or after 6.4.2017. OP said her youngest is nearly 5 so the rule doesn't apply. She will be getting CTC for all 3 and will get the UC child element for all 3.
Source: www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Exemptions_to_2_child_limit

New job in new area and older dc gets a bus?
Ime you don't need to taxi a 17 yo... I moved out of area and tc stayed the same...

I moved areas due to reasons similar to yours (from Croydon to Sevenoaks). I do a 40 mile round trip 4 days a week minimum to drop my daughter to school and myself to work. I have a crappy little car but she hasn't failed me yet. My only suggestion would be talking to your council and seeing if they can help with your new rent, deposit or both. That way you know you won't be in arrears as you'll have money saved already. Also use an online calculator and see what you'll be entitled to under UC for new area. I'm worse off by nearly £150 a month but for safety's sake it's worth it.

I had to move over to UC and I also moved house because of the housing benefit change

Except for the 5 weeks wait I did not have any delays. Going to the job centre was a pain as it’s 45 mile round trip but I made sure I got it all done and sorted with every single piece of right paperwork when I went to the interview.

The thing with UC is that there are some months you get 0 due to payday overlap or short months. I changed on 21st of the month so this is my assessment date - and early Xmas payday will then mean I am paid ‘twice’ in the month and entitlement is 0. This is very annoying and you need to plan for this - make sure you change over on a date that makes financial sense

I no longer have the hassle of the local council and housing benefit. I had began to absolutely detest dealing with them and they made hundreds of admin mistakes that caused me hardship, so being on UC to me is better from that POV.

Oh and I am not worse off on UC

But bear in mind your local housing allowance will be less outside London, so If your rent is high this is why you may not get so much - check this out

how much of an issue would a house move mean in terms of commuting/getting to work. I suppose you have childcare arrangements going for the younger ones?

I would make it largely dependant on that.

I am on benefits, but not UC so can not comment on that. What I will say is my last home, private rental was not half as bad as yours sounds, nowhere near actually, and it made me so depressed. We were lucky to get a housing association property after three years on the waiting list. Don’t under estimate the difference, a decent home makes to you and your dc’s mental health!

"The thing with UC is that there are some months you get 0 due to payday overlap or short months. I changed on 21st of the month so this is my assessment date - and early Xmas payday will then mean I am paid ‘twice’ in the month and entitlement is 0. This is very annoying and you need to plan for this - make sure you change over on a date that makes financial sense"

This is one of the flaws of UC for some people but it doesn't affect everyone. It depends on the date you get paid and the date you apply for UC. The monthly assessment period for UC starts on the date you apply. So if you get paid monthly you ideally need to time your application right. For example I'm paid on the 24th but sometimes paid a day early and last Christmas I was paid on the 19th. So if I was claiming UC I would avoid claiming between the 20th and 24th of the month. Any other date (25th-31st and 1st-19th) would be fine.

That's if you're paid monthly. If you're paid 4 weekly it is an issue because there is no way to avoid sometimes having 2 pay packets in the same assessment period. It's also an issue if you're paid weekly as there are sometimes 5 weeks in an assessment period.

OP see www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-different-earning-patterns-and-your-payments/universal-credit-different-earning-patterns-and-your-payments-payment-cycles

Just wanted to say, my daughter moved schools half way through her A levels, nobody died. She got the grades she needed, got her first choice of uni everything was fine

I read recently that you can sue your landlord if they do not keep up with repairs to the property you live in. See link below:
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-privately/during-your-tenancy/going-to-court-if-your-landlord-wont-do-repairs/

That's the final step. There are other steps OP needs to follow first (in links I already shared).