Renting dilemma

[Boogbuster]

greetings fellow mumsnetersI have a housing problem that am hoping to get some advice on as so far i keep coming up blank in terms of finding a solution
right so here goes - partner and i have split and i along with DS (18) and DS2 (8) need to move out of the family home as it's rented from MIL and her DP partner who I've fallen out with.

Ive lived here for about 3 years but have no formal lease and because of the family break down there's very little chance i'll get a favourable landlord reference from them.

thankfully things are amicable between DP and i so i'm not in any danger but things are strained and not nice living under these circumstances (plus i'm sleeping on a mattress in kids room which aint great)

what makes my situation even worse is that i'm drowning in debt, have no savings i can use for a deposit (even if a landlord/agent agrees to rent to me with my abysmal credit rating) and am low down on the priority list for a council property. My family lives overseas so no help from there and don't have any close friends that would act as guarantor (not that id ever even think of putting one in that position)

does anyone have any ideas for finding a place of my own (for what it's worth i've looked at shelter scotland for advice but not found anything that helps in my particular situation)
thanking you kindly for reading

Is your DP (ex) still in the property with you? I assume you've already contacted your local council housing department?

He is yea as its his mum that we rent from it would be unreasonable to ask HIM to move out

I have applied to the council yes but only have 20 points (not sure what the max is but know I'm pretty low on the priority list)

If you're still on decent terms with your ex, why would you think his mum wouldn't give you a decent reference?

Surely it's in their interests that you are able to find somewhere suitable to move to (are they his kids?)

You're low because you're currently housed. You need them to kick you out OP. Then you need to turn up at the housing office with suitcases.

Or you're not their problem.

Can I ask what area you live in? If it's London or a similarly stretched city then I would think seriously about going elsewhere.

If it's a smaller area...you may stand a chance.

Often, local authorities will help people get privately rented housing by paying their deposit for them. They have a list of private lets who are happy to accept people on benefits.

Are you receiving any benefits?

Unfortunately I don't think woman's aid would put you in a refuge due to no domestic violence, nor with your 18 year old son regardless, however if you make an appointment to go into the office and speak with them, they'll probably be best to advise you.

It sounds as if you need to get them to evict you, that way the council will obliged to house you. Also are either of your children in a position to rent for you?

Poor u in same situation but no kids I'm in process of sorting out and going back to live with my mum you have a eight year old so you should get housed by council if they give you a date to be out?do you work love??you may gave a better credit rateing than you think if so and could your partner not help you find somewhere I'm guessing there his kids also whatever you do dont leave without them xxx if you need to chat pm me xxx

BillHadersNewWife Is spot on. Council wont be interested as you currently have a home. You need to be actually homeless before they will help rehome you. But even then, it would be a B&B or temporary housing until they could find you a permenant property ( ive been in temporary housing for 2 years now )

The council will help you get a private rent though and pay for the bond etc, they will also help you with furniture if you are elegible, good luck OP

I would go down the private rented route, we fled DV and was in a cockroach infested hostel for weeks and have been in temporary housing for 2 years, you cant make it home,

Our council works on a points system, which area are you in?

Our system would automatically allocate 100 points (high priority) for someone facing homelessness, plus additional points for medical conditions or support needs. Definitely worth speaking to them again.

Just seen you’re in Scotland.

I work closely with housing allocations in a Scottish local authority and our officers will try to get you housed in a permanent property if you present with enough notice.

Generally if you present within 2 weeks of you becoming homeless it may mean a stay in temp but anything more than that it gives the allocations team a bit longer to find something suitable.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about the system etc.

Will your ex, for the sake of your children, help you? Maybe he would be willing to go guarantor and provide a good reference.

What has your ex said about the situation? Surely he wouldn't want to see his kids out on the street with no roof over their heads

I had to have a letter from the friend who gave us a few days emergency housing, saying he had to turf me out that same day, I had to present at the council offices for opening time (you have to get there a good hour before opening time because a queue starts) and they rang my friend who said no he definitely couldn't take us back. As it happened, in order for us to move into an emergency temporary house he had to take us back for one night I think it was. But that's pretty much the procedure of the area I lived in (not Scotland). We got points for my disabilities, and having fled DV and was in a refuge a week before friend put us up (didn't do us a favour leaving the refuge but it was unbearable and I was breaking). But they are legally obliged to house you if you present as I described. But where I was, quite a few people did the same hence getting there early because finding the right places for the right people is hard, very first come first served.

Good luck

Even if he provides a reference, her chances of private legs are limited with bad credit.