AIBU to be in a total state about this?

[ArtemisW]

I live in a privately rented flat and have been here three years. My rent is set to increase by £400 a month shortly and I just don’t have the money to pay it. I’m also dealing with Complex PTSD and other trauma-related health conditions that require me to have a daily Carer that Social Services send to my home. This to say, I am not well enough to take on extra work to pay for the increased rent. I’ve been looking for cheaper places to live for months now with no luck. I am facing a very real likelihood of homelessness and living on the street.

It has reached a point where letting agents/landlords are refusing to even offer viewings due to the overwhelming response they receive within minutes of listing a property. I was just told yesterday that I’m on a waiting list to even be allowed a viewing.

When I’ve tried to voice my concerns to people in my life they don’t seem to grasp how serious this is at all. One just shrugged and said, “Can’t you just buy your own home instead?” Another said, “Haha yeah we are all having to cut down a bit on holidays and new clothes these days.”

I don’t have holidays and new clothes because I can’t afford them. My last holiday was in 2008.

I’m not sure how well I am articulating myself here. Basically, this £400 a month rent increase is not just a slight inconvenience or something that will mean I have less to spend on the fun things in life. It is something I literally cannot pay and it looks very much like I am going to end up homeless.

Can anyone relate? Is there anyone else here for whom these drastic housing cost increases don’t just mean having to cut back but mean actual homelessness?

My current flat is nothing fancy, it was the cheapest flat I was able to find really. I am eligible for some benefits due to my illness/disability but the maximum housing benefit they pay was already £350 a month less than my actual rent.

@FFSwhatisthis Thanks. Yes I think I do present as capable and articulate and that it's not clear to a lot of people how seriously ill I am.

I think that Discretionary Housing Payment is absolutely your first step.

However, it might also be worthwhile to do a spreadsheet of money in/money out, and really examine where your money is going. There's likely things that you spend on that you can remove or reduce, but you either don't want to, or just haven't questioned. Ultimately, keeping a roof over your head is the most important thing. £400 is a LOT to find, granted.

I don’t want to share too much here but we have just recently come through similar. It was genuinely the most terrifying time of my adult life and I spent weeks wondering how the hell we could possibly come through it all ok. Especially as the lettings process seems to have changed hugely since I last had to do it and I often couldn’t even qualify for a viewing.
Anyway, if you think I can be of any help to you or if you need someone to vent to, please feel free to drop me a message.

(And for what it’s worth my
story has a happy ending. It might be a tough process but I’m sure yours will too).

Not sure if it'll help but I found myself in a position where I couldn't afford to pay the rent on my private rent. Was different as I had a child though.
I went to the council and showed them income/outgoings, and begged them to help me. I asked for discretion rent payments but was declined and I was panicking we'd be homeless.

A couple of weeks later I was shortlisted for a new build estate and told a moving date. The houses weren't available to bid on and I had no idea I'd been listed as a potential renter.

The council can help you, use your SS contact to support you in getting any help you can and they will do what they can. The housing crisis has got worse since then, but they can definitely tell you what options you have.

Ps £400 increase in rent isn't affordable for so many people so your not dramatic to feel panicked and worried about this.

@mrsm43s
Thanks for your reply. Aside from my rent, my outgoings are: electricity, gas, water, broadband (cheapest possible package), SIM only mobile (very cheap package), household contents insurance (very reasonably priced deal), food, basic items like soap, toilet roll, toilet bleach etc). And that is IT. I don't even have Netflix. I spend no money on clothes. I never go out socially. I don't buy people Christmas or birthday gifts anymore because I can't afford to. There's really nothing that can be cut back on.

@Jewnicorn I would love to chat. Is there a way to inbox each other on here? I'm thrilled to hear that your experience resulted in a happy ending! And yes the lettings process is nuts now.

@SprinkleRainbow Hi. That is so amazing that you ended up in the new build. Yay. Were you already on the council housing waiting list?