To have spent four hours crying?

ImSoEffed · 2023-05-15T17:31:28+00:00

I know it's not really an AIBU but I just need to get everything off of my chest as I am so upset and stressed. I've just been given notice to leave my rented property, so I have two months to find somewhere for me and DS to live, as a single parent about to start my new job on £18,500. Rent round here is over £750.00 for a two bed, and properties barely even come on the market before they're gone. It took me 6 months to find where I am now. I'm completely fucked. I have no savings, credit cards are all close to maxed out, I thought things were finally on the up with getting a new job, but clearly they're not. DS is about to start school in September and I'm going to end up having to move out of the immediate local area which is going to make it hard for family to help out, which then makes childcare for my new job even harder. I've cried most of the afternoon and I have no idea what I'm going to do.

MyMachineAndMe · 15/05/2023 18:35

Contact shelter to see if they have any advice. Wait until you're actually evicted, which can take a few months I think, and then plead the council to house you in emergency accommodation and from there you may be able to get a council house.

NeedToChangeName · 15/05/2023 18:35

Try not to panic

Check if you are receiving any benefits you may be entitled to
https://www.turn2us.org.uk/

Perhaps you could look at one bedroom properties, and sleep in the sitting room?

I'd also suggest you contact your local authority housing office and Shelter https://www.shelter.org.uk/ there

Do you have any friends who might be interested in sharing accommodation, to bring costs down? I know it's harder with children, but may be an option, especially if you know other single parents in the same boat

Good luck

Turn2us - Fighting UK Poverty

Find benefits, grants and financial support online

https://www.turn2us.org.uk

NeedToChangeName · 15/05/2023 18:37

MyMachineAndMe · 15/05/2023 18:35

Contact shelter to see if they have any advice. Wait until you're actually evicted, which can take a few months I think, and then plead the council to house you in emergency accommodation and from there you may be able to get a council house.

@MyMachineAndMe My concerns about waiting until you're evicted would be (1) incurring court expenses and (2) getting a bad reference

According to this, you should get help if you are homeless or likely to become homeless in the next 2 months. So I'd say don't wait
https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/homelessness/the_councils_assessment/intetionally_unintentionally_homeless

Intentionally or unintentionally homeless - Shelter Scotland

Before the council offers you permanent accommodation, they can look into the reasons that led to you become homeless.

https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/homelessness/the_councils_assessment/intetionally_unintentionally_homeless

MyMachineAndMe · 15/05/2023 18:39

Sorry, what I meant was that unless you get a decent place to live in the meantime, don't move out until you're evicted. Don't actively choose to move into substandard accommodation until you actually have to.

Original poster

ImSoEffed · 15/05/2023 18:40

I already receive all the benefits I am entitled to.

Without making it too outing (though I suspect I'm not the only one in this situation) I can't wait till I am evicted as I will end up with costs I potentially cannot pay which may result in further action being taken to recover them. I cannot have anything like that for the job I have, and I can't risk losing this job as there is good career progression so hopefully I will never be in this situation again. (Think regulated profession)

I'm open to one bed properties, but there aren't many round here as they are mainly terraced houses. A lot of the listings for one bed properties specify a single person as well so I'm not sure they would be too impressed if I moved in with DS.

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Original poster

ImSoEffed · 15/05/2023 18:42

Yes, I would prefer to avoid getting properly evicted as it's going to make it even harder to rent in an almost impossible market. At least right now the letting agency are happy to provide a glowing reference and I can evidence over two years of paying rent on time.

Housing is just awful at the moment. I like the idea of potentially finding someone else in a similar situation, but I don't actually know anyone.

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YouWonJayne · 15/05/2023 18:42

OP have you been served with a section 21?

SarahSmith2023 · 15/05/2023 18:47

I'm sorry, that's horrible.

if the alternative is you & DS moving out of the area, can't any of your family have you & DS move in with them?

Original poster

ImSoEffed · 15/05/2023 18:48

YouWonJayne · 15/05/2023 18:42

OP have you been served with a section 21?

Yes, giving me two months notice. I have tried to dispute this with the letting agency as my tenancy doesn't end until mid August and I have paid rent until then. However, they are adamant that as there is a 'break clause' in the tenancy, they are entitled to do this and they will refund the additional months rent upon me vacating the property, which I am not happy about but I'm so distraught I didn't have it in me to argue any more over the phone.

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Original poster

ImSoEffed · 15/05/2023 18:50

SarahSmith2023 · 15/05/2023 18:47

I'm sorry, that's horrible.

if the alternative is you & DS moving out of the area, can't any of your family have you & DS move in with them?

I have no family that have the space to have us, if they did I'm sure they would gladly help out. And I don't mean it would be a bit cramped if we moved in with them, I mean there is literally no space at all so it just isn't an option.

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NeedToChangeName · 15/05/2023 21:26

ImSoEffed · 15/05/2023 18:48

Yes, giving me two months notice. I have tried to dispute this with the letting agency as my tenancy doesn't end until mid August and I have paid rent until then. However, they are adamant that as there is a 'break clause' in the tenancy, they are entitled to do this and they will refund the additional months rent upon me vacating the property, which I am not happy about but I'm so distraught I didn't have it in me to argue any more over the phone.

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OP, that sounds dodgy. Shelter could advise if the break clause is enforceable

Sheepsheepeverywhere · 15/05/2023 21:28

10 weeks was the legal time frame we had. Ll gave us a glowing reference as self employed on paper I wasn't a great prospect! Been at new home 8 years now..

Whisper23 · 15/05/2023 21:32

Sheepsheepeverywhere · 15/05/2023 21:28

10 weeks was the legal time frame we had. Ll gave us a glowing reference as self employed on paper I wasn't a great prospect! Been at new home 8 years now..

With all due respect, the rental market was very different 8 years ago.

AllMyExesWearRolexes · 15/05/2023 21:40

Ref the credit cards, contact Stepchange, they can potentially freeze interest and arrange a repayment schedule. That may give you a bit of breathing space each month.
Good luck, hope you find something suitable.

TankFlyBossW4lk · 15/05/2023 21:49

Have you spoken to the LL? Not the estate agent. If you've paid and you're a good tenant to have, a lot of LLs would want to keep you for at least a bit longer. Are they selling up?

YouWonJayne · 15/05/2023 21:52

Definitely look for the break clause. Usually you know about this on signing

Original poster

ImSoEffed · 15/05/2023 21:52

TankFlyBossW4lk · 15/05/2023 21:49

Have you spoken to the LL? Not the estate agent. If you've paid and you're a good tenant to have, a lot of LLs would want to keep you for at least a bit longer. Are they selling up?

Yeah selling up. So much for "I won't sell, and if I do I only sell to buy to let landlords" which is what he told me 6 months ago. I've asked the agency to ask if he would be willing to allow me to stay on a rolling tenancy if it takes longer to sell than he anticipated, as its not really the most desirable type of property in the area.

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YouWonJayne · 15/05/2023 21:55

ImSoEffed · 15/05/2023 21:52

Yeah selling up. So much for "I won't sell, and if I do I only sell to buy to let landlords" which is what he told me 6 months ago. I've asked the agency to ask if he would be willing to allow me to stay on a rolling tenancy if it takes longer to sell than he anticipated, as its not really the most desirable type of property in the area.

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If they say no then insist you have your overpayment paid back ASAP so you have a deposit for the next property.

Have you any CCJs or IVAs OP? As estate agents tend to do a soft credit search they won’t see your credit cards or other debts

Original poster

ImSoEffed · 15/05/2023 21:58

YouWonJayne · 15/05/2023 21:55

If they say no then insist you have your overpayment paid back ASAP so you have a deposit for the next property.

Have you any CCJs or IVAs OP? As estate agents tend to do a soft credit search they won’t see your credit cards or other debts

Show quote history

No CCJs etc, I have quite a good credit rating.
Generally I look like quite a good tenant, but when it's such an overcrowded market, landlords would rather rent to a couple with no kids than a single parent I guess.

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Fishonabike68 · 15/05/2023 22:12

I'm so sorry you're going through this. Happened to my family just before covid hit and luckily the pandemic brought us some breathing space after a few weeks. The first thing I did was write to the letting agency and then the landlord. I also called Shelter.

Please get all the advice you can from Citizens Advice, Shelter etc. I'd also consider contacting your MP or councillors given all the talk about scrapping section 21 evictions. The fact you have children and are obviously trying to better yourself with a new job will definitely help your case. Our experience was so stressful at the start, so I can really empathise. It's a real sign they need a serious overhaul of renting and housing in this country. I'd even consider contacting local media if you're up for it. It's so unfair on you.

Longer term, could you live somewhere there's slightly less housing demand? Is your job possible from home at all? Obviously better for you that you're settled somewhere for your child starting school.

GADDay · 15/05/2023 22:19

What is working well where I live is joining a local community Facebook page/school FB page and posting a rental wanted ad on there.

I have found that the well worded posts get great traction. They include an introduction - a bit about you and your DS, a short synopsis of what you are looking for. Offer the budget you can afford and make sure you let prospective LLs know that you would be a fab tenant.

Would you consider this?

Fishonabike68 · 15/05/2023 22:20

Long story short, we moved out 18 months after the first eviction notice, as the landlord would have had a fight on her hands if she'd tried to force anything. Obviously cases are different, but you might be able to drag things out for a lot longer than they'd like. Landlord was also selling up. In the end, we made a big life change and moved to the other side of the U.K. without them forcing it. We knew they wanted us out!

GADDay · 15/05/2023 22:23

GADDay · 15/05/2023 22:19

What is working well where I live is joining a local community Facebook page/school FB page and posting a rental wanted ad on there.

I have found that the well worded posts get great traction. They include an introduction - a bit about you and your DS, a short synopsis of what you are looking for. Offer the budget you can afford and make sure you let prospective LLs know that you would be a fab tenant.

Would you consider this?

Something like this

caringcarer · 15/05/2023 23:15

Where are you in the country OP?

Original poster

ImSoEffed · 16/05/2023 05:43

No opportunity to work from home at all. With DS starting school, his dad living I'm this area, and my family who I rely on for help with childcare all living locally I don't think moving too much further out is going to be possible. I'm looking at cheaper areas within the same area but tbh, within around an hour of here, housing is really high demand.

I have popped a similar message on the local Facebook pages, maybe not quite so well written, so fingers crossed that leads to something.

I'm just hoping the landlord allows some flexibility as at least it would allow me to get my first wage in from my new job which would ease things a little.

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