Can't afford to rent. Starting to panic.

[PreciousOcean]

Living with a parent. Zero council housing available. Stuck in one bedroom with a 2 year old. I don't sleep. Childcare costs drain me and I'm on a low income. I pay my family member a decent amount for rent of a room (450 + bills) so whilst nowhere near as high as rent, I can't claim universal credit for it as he is immediate family. My eyes water when I think about trying to save for a deposit. I don't know what to do. I'm in my 30s living with my dad. I lost a potential relationship over it. Does anyone have any constructive advice? So many people I know are struggling to rent. Especially single parents who can't lodge...

Would your dad consider letting you have 3 months rent free to save up a deposit to get a private rental?
Could you afford a private rental in your area?

When your little one is 3, you should get 30 free hours nursery (if you’re working which it sounds like you are) which might help

How much would a studio flat be to rent in your area compared to what you pay your Dad?

Can you claim benifits if you move out?

So ask your dad for free rent for a few months and use that money for a deposit then claim benifits while you need them for rent etc? This seems the only way really. Or could your dad help with childcare if they don't work full time so you can save money?

Do your local council do a rent deposit scheme which you can access to rent privately?

My dad works full time and depends on the money from me. He would usually have a lodger in my place so I can't really ask for free rent.

@Proudboomer

Do your local council do a rent deposit scheme which you can access to rent privately?

I don't know but will definitely look in to that, thank you

Your dad is charging you £450 without bills ? Why?

Would you get help with rent if you are on a low income? Also look at moving area? 450+ bills for a single room seems very high.

Sorry missed where he would normally have a lodger.

People around here Rent out rooms for 800 easily. It is mad.

How much is private rental in your area

Certain benefits mean that you can access childcare from age 2, perhaps look into this to see if you qualify, if you haven’t already.

Starts at around 800 for a 1 bed. I'm looking in to moving areas which I desperately don't want to do as my whole support network is here and I'm quite vulnerable living on my own.

My local council have a scheme where they work with landlords, and act as guarantors so you don't have to pay a deposit - and the properties are checked by the council but its a private let

england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/rent_deposit_bond_and_guarantee_schemes

Read though some of the options here and see what help is available to you and how to access it.

If you had a proper contract with your dad as your landlord and you as a lodger would you be able to get housing benefit?

Is the father of your child supporting them, looking after them while you work and contributing to childcare bills?

Short term I'm not sure what you can do although there are some ideas above. Medium term your childcare costs will decrease. What is it you do? Could you try and find better paid work?

You could get your dad to write a letter saying he is kicking you out and then present as homeless. You would then go into a hostel which wouldn't be an improvement on your situation but you will eventually be rehoused in affordable accommodation . If you are in London this will be very bloody hard and you may end up being rehoused outside of London. Are you in London?

In London you could also look to lodge with another single mum. This has been a route used successfully by others in your situation.

What area are you in OP?

@MeanMrMustardSeed

Is the father of your child supporting them, looking after them while you work and contributing to childcare bills?

No. I have a restraining order against him. He's deemed too high a safeguarding risk to even have supervised contact.

Do you want to stay living with your father or move out?

I feel you would be better off financially moving out and then claiming UC. The trouble is if you have somewhere to live you won’t be very high on the priority list!

Have a look at the 'find your own scheme'