To feel so depressed about renting?

Gardentiger · 2021-07-17T13:39:48+00:00

When I think about housing I just feel so depressed. All we want is somewhere we can stay long term and have a pet, but I geuinly don't think we will ever be able to afford even the cheapest house, as prices are increasing faster than we can save. There is nowhere to rent around here either, so if our landlord sells up or wants rid of us it would probably be a case of completely upping sticks to move to a different area and getting new jobs. I just feel so sad when I think of the future, it just feels completely hopeless.

21Bee · 17/07/2021 14:43

I have worked for a number of large country estates and would recommend looking for houses with them. They don’t sell, usually allow pets and are generally good landlords as they want tenants long term. Quite often they don’t advertise in the open market, you have to approach them.

I’d look at the National Trust, Forestry Commission and estates (i.e Longleat, Chatsworth etc…). There are thousands of small estates, you just need to work out what is in your area. Lots own rural and urban properties.

Original poster

Gardentiger · 17/07/2021 14:46

@21Bee

I have worked for a number of large country estates and would recommend looking for houses with them. They don’t sell, usually allow pets and are generally good landlords as they want tenants long term. Quite often they don’t advertise in the open market, you have to approach them.

I’d look at the National Trust, Forestry Commission and estates (i.e Longleat, Chatsworth etc…). There are thousands of small estates, you just need to work out what is in your area. Lots own rural and urban properties.

There are a lot of national trust houses here and we've applied for them before but competition seems to be insanely high. We will keep trying though, and look for any other estates and approach them

OP posts:

21Bee · 17/07/2021 14:54

I used to select tenants for National Trust houses, it’s really important to get across in your application how you fit with the ethos of the National Trust. I.e being a steward to the house to keep it for future generations. Make sure you do lots of research into the Trust and get that across in your application.

TwoZeroTwoZero · 17/07/2021 14:59

We live in social housing and it's fine. We'll never own our own home but this is, to us, the next best thing.

Can you apply for a council or housing association house?

Original poster

Gardentiger · 17/07/2021 15:07

@TwoZeroTwoZero

We live in social housing and it's fine. We'll never own our own home but this is, to us, the next best thing.

Can you apply for a council or housing association house?

We wouldn't be eligible unfortunately as we don't have children

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beigebrownblue · 17/07/2021 15:13

I wouldn't rule it out.
Depending on the policy, if you are given notice by your landlord which may not happen for a long time you are in a higher priority band,

also some give points for working in the area, living there for a long time, disabilty etc.

E

beigebrownblue · 17/07/2021 15:13

Explore all avenues, if you are feeling down it is possible you are discounting things that might be doable.

TwoZeroTwoZero · 17/07/2021 15:16

I was a single woman with no dc when I got my 1st house: a 2 bed house with a decent sized garden. I also had a dog.

Apply anyway.

Original poster

Gardentiger · 17/07/2021 15:18

I will look into the council housing, sounds like it might be possible to get on the list even if we're miles down it

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Dontfuckingsaycheese · 17/07/2021 15:18

You don't have to have children to get social housing. You may be classed as lower priority but always worth getting on the list. Especially if you are a little flexible eg round here the village properties can be less appealing to families with no car. Get on the list!!

Dontfuckingsaycheese · 17/07/2021 15:19

Ooh 🙂 Good. Excellent cross post!

Babyroobs · 17/07/2021 15:19

YANBU. It's pretty shit for every young person trying to get on the housing ladder without help from parents etc. I blame it on people buying 2nd/ 3rd / 4th homes. A woman down the street who I went to school with appears to be slowly buying up our street house by house.

HeyGepetto · 17/07/2021 15:21

I completely agree, we (two kids and me) ‘temporarily’ moved in with my parents nearly 2 years ago after our landlord sold our rental house, I feel like we’ve been completely priced out of the rental market in that time and buying on my salary would only be possible on shared ownership (none around right now). Feel very stuck.

MyCatDribbles · 17/07/2021 15:22

It took us years to save for a property and finally got one when I was 36. It’s gutting when we had to do it the hard way when everyone I know got help from family years before

Saidtoomuch · 17/07/2021 15:24

I worry about this in the future for my children. Some of the families we know have brought second/ third investment homes whilst their children are still school age, so they have a leg up on the property ladder. Its is taking up housing stock from first time buyers, but I can understand their rationale.

Original poster

Gardentiger · 17/07/2021 15:26

@HeyGepetto

I completely agree, we (two kids and me) ‘temporarily’ moved in with my parents nearly 2 years ago after our landlord sold our rental house, I feel like we’ve been completely priced out of the rental market in that time and buying on my salary would only be possible on shared ownership (none around right now). Feel very stuck.

My mother has offered to take us if we ended up on this situation, it would be ridiculous! 4 adults in a small terraced house and my DP work g from home! My fathers parents lived like this with their parents in pre War London, it almost feels like as a country we've come full circle from poor housing to better housing to poor housing again

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EvilPea · 17/07/2021 15:27

I hear you op. I hear you
It’s all consuming and effects every decision you make.
Need a new washing machine, don’t get an expensive one, might not be able to take it with you.

Best not keep too much clutter, it will make that short notice move more difficult.

No point planting that plant in the garden, you’ll probably never see it flower.

It’s a really shit way to live and have no control over your life.

floppybit · 17/07/2021 15:29

YANBU, I rented from the age of 16 then bought my own home at 35 only managed that as my mum helped with deposit, if she hadn't done that I would still be private renting. I had 2 kids but still wasn't able to get a council house and was stuck in private rented for years. I really understand how you feel and I hope your fortunes change.

EvilPea · 17/07/2021 15:30

Shelter did start a campaign about it a few years ago.
But there was no appetite as it feels a very 1st world problem.
Your not homeless
You can afford the rent (somewhere, maybe not where you want, but neither can house purchasers).

But it doesn’t stop it being shit

beigebrownblue · 17/07/2021 15:30

@HeyGepetto

I completely agree, we (two kids and me) ‘temporarily’ moved in with my parents nearly 2 years ago after our landlord sold our rental house, I feel like we’ve been completely priced out of the rental market in that time and buying on my salary would only be possible on shared ownership (none around right now). Feel very stuck.

I would apply for social housing and mention overcrowding and that this is affecting your wellbeing. (I'm sure it must be)

You are usually asked to include G.P's details.

lidoshuffle · 17/07/2021 15:33

You might just strike lucky if you are on the council list and there are a glut of units being completed at the same time on large sites.

I know in my council area (high cost and high demand) Band D households have been offered properties as there were not enough A-Cs bidding in some cycles.

Get on the list and keep bidding, you might just be lucky.

R0undandR0und · 18/07/2021 08:05

Sometimes you have to look at life as an adventure !

I relocated from an expensive area to a much cheaper property price area
Got a job
Moved
I didn't know anything about the area, but it is nicer than where I lived previously
I came to visit the town twice before I moved

Have you looked at property prices in other places ?

Alternatively, you stay where you are & increase your income or work more than one job ?

What is your plan ?

maddening · 18/07/2021 08:23

Where in the country are you? What industry are you both in? What do you earn?

If dh works from home and you think you would have to move area anyway could you move to a cheaper area to purchase?

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 18/07/2021 08:28

If you have no children then you are free to work second jobs etc to save for a deposit. You can move to a cheaper area or one with better jobs etc. Home ownership was important to me so I worked long long hours and went without many things in order to get a deposit as did many of my friends.

FindingMeno · 18/07/2021 08:29

The thing is that you get so little time if you have to move. Logistically how on earth can you relocate with 2 months notice and get jobs to pay the rent? How can you save money when paying rent to provide a buffer?
I get you, op, being stuck in an ever decreasing circle of options.
I wish there were more intentional communities where you don't have to buy in at mortgage deposit level.