Getting rejected for houses because we have dc

[Whatsthestitch]

Little bit of a click bait but partly true

Me and dp currently live with an abusive parent and we are trying to leave. I have had dc so can't work and am on uc. Dp works full time. Even though we have money for a depoist and holding depoist I still don't understand how we can afford to move out!

Has anyone had experience of moving out on housing benefit? How did it work for you. I can't see any landlord accepting our situation and as our budget is so small (900pcm) most flats we see say they aren't family/children suitable. I didn't even think of the possibility of landlords/ladies discriminating against children. Surely a family of 3 living in a 1 bedroom isn't that overcrowded or absurd given the current climate. I'm willing to get a part time job but even that will only be about 2 days max as it will be family looking after dc for free childcare.

Help! Seeking advice and posting for traffic

My suggestions:

1. Social housing - are you on a waiting list ?
2. Look at cheaper areas to rent that are still commutable to DP's work
3. One of you works evenings and weekends
4. Combination of working PT, mil and nursery.
5. DP does everything in his power to increase earnings, apply for higher paid jobs, promotions etc.

May I ask what was your long term plan when you because pregnant- has something changed ?

A few years ago, Shelter brought a case against a letting agency about blanket "No DSS" rules, and it was found that they were indirectly discriminatory, because people with disabilities are disproportionately represented among benefit claimants.

However, that only applies to businesses, and if a LL decides not to let to people on benefits and you are dealing directly with them, that doesn't breach equalities law.

Op you haven't really thought this through and simply came to the conclusion that you won't earn enough therefore can't pay for childcare, who says?

Many of us are in your shoes and we're making it work or have been in your shoes. Some of us have done it as single parents. Don't rely solely on benefits when there are ways you can earn more income.

MIL free childcare 2 days a week - That's 2 days you can work!
Does your partner work days or nights? - Schedule shift work around his, you'd find a job with your eyes close trust me.
Childminders - cheaper than daycare/nurseries

unfortunately for me, I don't get support from any family at all. How I wish I got 2 free days of childcare. Make the most of what you have.

Unless you want to live with the abusive parent for ever, I don't see how your situation is going to change if you don't make a change!

A few posters up-thread have asked what are you long term plans and I echo the same? We're you planning on staying with parent forever?

So true. If there was more social housing, private rents would be more affordable because there would be less demand for private rentals and rents would fall.

"A few years ago, Shelter brought a case against a letting agency about blanket "No DSS" rules, and it was found that they were indirectly discriminatory, because people with disabilities are disproportionately represented among benefit claimants."

Yes Shelter are brilliant for that kind of thing what they aren't so great at is providing housing for people to rent. Not a single one. You know like the letting agents and landlords do.

There’s no disagreeing with the fact that we desperately need more social housing, but even if we had a surplus I wouldn’t agree that it should be given to people who choose not to work when they could. While working there might still be a need to claim top up benefits, but that’s a different debate. People still need to put in some kind of effort to support themselves otherwise is plays straight into the daily mail rhetoric of work shy people taking benefits as a lifestyle choice.

I’m not sure the OP is coming back. Too many hard to answer questions about why she can’t possibly work because of her one child 🤣

@MelchiorsMistress well the other half of your DM mates would want the OP chained to the kitchen sink. A woman’s place is in the wrong as the saying goes.

How can you use family for childcare if they’re abusive? Even if it’s the other parent looking after the child, if they’ve stayed with an abuser they aren’t safe themselves.

I agree - nursery/ childminder for childcare. Then you can work.

While working there might still be a need to claim top up benefits, but that’s a different debate.

No unless you have no understanding at all of economics it’s the same debate. Top up benefits lead to landlords being able to charge ridiculous rents for shitty houses that people can’t afford. Hence they need benefits to survive.

Of course there should be more social housing but we don’t have it at the moment so another plan is needed for Op

Why? There is social housing in existence and if her relative evicts her and they can’t find a rental they would be eligible. I know real live people who live in it dont you know 🙄

188 replies but no more from @Whatsthestitch

Maybe you have found the posts harsh but people are only trying to help.

A few posters have asked what is abusive about the parent you live with?

Have they always been like this or is a result of an unplanned pregnancy and having nowhere else to go? Maybe they don't like having you, your P and a baby in the house. How old are you? Was the baby planned?

I'm asking- not saying that's how it is.

You're clearly confused on benefits by saying you'd have to give up UC to get housing benefit.

What's your response to posters saying you can work and you can pay for a childminder for 2 days week if your relatives cover 2 days?

Or work when your partner is at home?

Is anything here of any help at all?

I think the issue is a family of 3 in a 1 bedroom is ok in a cot but not a bed so it's not a long term arrangement and landlords loose money various ways everytime that somebody moves out really and so I understand why.
Your child will eventually need their own room.
We rent a 3 bed house and when we got it, it said maximum occupancy 2 adults and 3 children as the 3rd room is a box.
Landlords can stipulate whatever they want really.

You just need to look for something suitable and as for the abusive relative if it's that bad then report to social services/ health visitor and get the abusive relative to evict you then you become a priority for social housing

We are moving out shortly of this rental and a family with 4 kids came to look at it!!!! They clearly didn't read the description or look at the measurements on the floor plan!!!! And were shocked how small the rooms were when they came on the viewing.
The woman said to her husband maybe we could put the girls in one room, the boys in another, put all our clothes and stuff in the box room and sleep in the lounge on a sofa bed!!!!

This house also only has one toilet for 6 people I mentioned that to her she said her landlords were selling up and she said was desperate as has kids in the local schools doesn't drive so wants to be near.

It's a very stressful situation for people

Precisely. Shelter are a lobbying group rather than a charity in that sense.

Plus you can't enforce the no DSS rule. Landlords can still choose who they let their property to.

We rent a 3 bed house and when we got it, it said maximum occupancy 2 adults and 3 children as the 3rd room is a box.
Landlords can stipulate whatever they want really.

It's likely to be local authority rules rather than the landlord's choice, @OhIdoLike2bBesideTheSeaside . Some LAs have imposed additional licensing requirements on private landlords and require them to stick to HMO minimum room sizes for all properties, even family homes.
The government has stipulated that a bedroom for 1 adult in a HMO must be at least 6.51 square metres and 4.64 square metres for one child under the age of 10. This means the standard British terrace or semi's third bedroom cannot be rented out as a bedroom in those circumstances, regardless of how much communal space is available in the property, and regardless of what the renter would prefer.