Is 600 a month for a 10 x 12 HMO room a good deal?

[MistressoftheDarkSide]

Just interested to know what people think.

It's all in, I need some sort of guarantor, and it us quite clean. Rest of house is clean and well ordered.

I'm allowed to have my cat but not in the communal areas because potential allergies.

I'm on the South Coast if it helps.

I'm in a shit position overall, very much beggars can't be choosers so it's likely my only option.

On UC and signed off but not entitled to any more than the basic unless I appeal regarding the WRAG thing after the assessment.

LHA is about 400 a month for room in a shared house.

Not opposed to working obviously but can't easily find a job while downsizing, plus at 55 I'm limited as I've been self employed for 7 years and my business has failed.

This has all come about since I was widowed two years ago.

Current landlord is selling hence section 21 expiring on April 11th.

Having difficulty sorting out the contents of my house. There is cheap storage I can get but on my likely budget it's looking unrealistic.

Friends and family can't help.

Finding bureaucracy a nightmare and a plan to leave the area has been scuppered as as soon as I made it both my elderly parents went into separate health declines and I can't in all conscience leave as I'm an only child.

Feel free to put the boot in, but also practical advice welcome.

Have approached the CAB and have been referred to the council.

Council say I must find my own accommodation and then they'll see if they can help.

Friends are all trying to jolly me along and embrace this new exciting phase in my life.

So, what would the vipers of Mumsnet do?

Sorry, it sounds like a really tough situation. I remember paying about £4-500/month for a room in a shared house on the south coast about 25 years ago, so I guess it seems in line with that?

Honestly, you do what you have to do. I don’t suppose anyone could lie and say this is a wonderful living situation. I’m sorry things have been so difficult for you.

Take the best option, find a job that you can do. And see if you can work yourself out of it. I wish you the best of luck

All you can do is search zoopla etc to look at what's within travelling distance. What's the over 55 Housing association provision like? Eventually you'll qualify. Not great but there's light at the end of the tunnel.

I am really sorry you are in this situation, it sounds incredibly tough.

The room sounds ok if you can get a guarantor.

A full time job and a studio flat could be a good plan when/if you feel able to work in the future.

So sorry OP, it sounds really tough. Is there a chance you could stay with your parents whilst you save a little?

Unfortunately I can't stay with my parents for complicated reasons I'm unable to share. I am in serious you can't make this shit up territory Unfortunately.

I think it sounds like your only option.

Very good you get to keep your cat, thats really important and from the way you describe it, with the place being clean and well ordered, sounds like your housemates will be respectful.

I'd try and view it as a stop gap whilst I get back on my feet.once settled, I'd start applying for any job I could possibly do and have a goal of getting myself my own place to rent eventually.

Are there any studio flats/self contained bedsits available in your area or close by?
If so how much more expensive are they?

Sorry OP, your post isn't very clear.

You talk about downsizing, but then mention a section 21?

Are you moving from a rented house into a HMO, or are you downsizing from a house you own while waiting to figure out what to do with the equity?

Can you actually keep a cat in a bedroom?

Don't they need fresh air?

Wouldn't the room smell from the litter tray?

What's the over 55 Housing association provision like?

That's what I was going to ask - regardless of this current situation, definitely investigate it for your next move. There was a thread some time ago where a guy in his late 50s was in a total pickle with nowhere to go (his friend was posting for him on here) and it looked like there was no solution until they looked into the over-55s thing and it sorted him out with a nice little place that was secure and affordable.

Have a look at retirement complexes, you can get a self contained flat, you just have to be 55+

That's a good option for now. It's about average for rooms on the south coast (if a bit under) and not much above your LHA as that doesn't include bills. Being able to keep your cat is amazing. Go for it and take the time to get a job and get back to a place where you can live on your own in future.

You don't have a lot of choice but I'd personally try and find a smaller hmo with less people sharing if I could, if only because it reduces your chances of conflict.

All in, and a nice today place in the South, that sounds like not a bad deal at all. Is it in an area where you’ll easily be able to get work/travel to work? Sounds like you’ve had a tough time but if you’ve run your own business you’ve obviously got skills to fall back on and, you’ve got your cat! That can’t be underestimated, mine literally kept me going when I was at my lowest point years ago. Over 55s sounds like a good plan for the future too.

I was paying £500 per month for a room in a grotty house share in London 14 years ago, so doesn’t seem suprising to me.

The chance of finding the perfect place that will let her bring her cat is slim to none.

No need to share, it was just an idea. The room sounds like it could be a good idea and it will give you a chance to get things sorted out. I hope it works out for you.

Have you talked to Shelter or a local housing organisation.

I don't know what part of the process a s21 is but I know people are advised not to leave until the bailiffs are called because then you are making yourself intentionally homeless.

If you wait till then, the council will have a duty to house you.

A rent of £600 is completely unaffordable if you are on UC and they will only pay £400.

Alms house! Eg:
https://www.almshouses.org/news/helyar-almshouses-east-coker-somerset/

Where are you now @MistressoftheDarkSide via pm if you wish and I’ll have a look and explain the process.

You are going to be on very tight rations and probably need to stretch it out with help from the food bank if £50 a week is going to rent if my understanding of UC is right. It is doable short term, get wearing longer term.

However the room sounds a reasonable price if it's all in. And keeping puss is probably the most important thing in it all and if the LL's good with it personally I'd jump to secure immediate housing for them and me. You may be able to appeal the work category, find work faster than expected, or a cheaper place, once a roof over your heads is secured.

(If puss is used to being outdoors you could risk life and limb harness training. If successful you'll make new friends fast.)

When you say friends and family can't help do you mean with housing or storage? Another option while more risky, is trading other peoples attics, spare rooms for cleaning or other work. (depending on skill sets)

Another thought for the future, apart from 55+ accommodation, look into a room with an older person who wants company and periodic reasonable help for low rent. In other words not care services, but prepared to muck in with household stuff. For some the opportunity to have a cat around without being responsible for it, is a plus.

Re the failed business (am self employed) depending why it failed, it may be worth looking if you can launch another one via UC? I don't know how realistic this is, but I'm aware some manage it.

Rather than pay for for storage, I would sell stuff, give away and give to charity shop and out stuff on the pavement for people to help themselves.

Short term then use it to get your name on every housing list and check out the over 50 options, consider moving area completely, consider renting on a rural well kept static park? Sorry OP, it will be short term.

I just want to offer you hope. I have a friend who was in a similar position ( her house got repossessed due to her husband lying) she was left with a suitcase and nothing else, no money ( they had joint accounts and everything went) nowhere to live, no job

She went into a house share and over the next couple of years has really built a life for herself from nothing. She started to do gardening and now has a thriving business. She lives in a flat share with one other woman her own age now.

I think that finding somewhere where you can keep your cat is probably the most important thing and you should go for it for now.

Unlikely , but Could you have a cheap caravan at your parents ?

You might find a cheap one on eBay

Are you sure you're not entitled to the 1 bedroom rate?

My area if you're over 35 you are entitled to 1 bedroom LHA rate - which would mean you could look into the retirement / over 50's / 55's places?