Nowhere to live over Christmas, advice needed

[Bakewellbits]

I was meant to be completing on my first home this weekend, but the seller pulled out last minute, despite pressuring me for weeks to exchange - there was a legal issue outstanding that took a few weeks for solicitors to resolve, not a big deal, or my fault, but obvs needed sorting. Then at point of exchange the seller decided not to move afterall. I'm devastated.

I've given notice on my rental flat and new tenants are moving in soon. I have nowhere to go now, there are hardly any rentals around that I can afford. Airbnbs costs a bloody fortune. I need to be able to commute to work in London 3-4 days a week. I've spent 20 years saving for my deposit, I can't afford to go throwing several grand away on an Airbnb for several months while I get my shit together finding a new rental or place to buy - then I'll never be able to afford to buy. I have no family left, and no close friends any more so can't stay with anyone.

Any advice? And yes, things could be worse, I could be completely broke and homeless, so at least I'm lucky enough to have some funds.

OP try posting on the Caterham Life Facebook group, also the Whyteleafe and Kenley one. Someone may be renting a room cheap-ish? Also talk to Shelter, they're super helpful.

OP you poor thing I really feel for you. Have you been on Spare Room at all and looked for a room to stay in? That would be easier and cheaper than finding a whole property. Put any stuff in storage and get on with house hunting. It’s a buyers market at the moment so I hope you find something quickly.

It sounds selfish but think of yourself first and try to stay where you are. If that’s really not an option ask if your landlord or estate agent have any suitable rentals.

I was going to suggest this too. At Christmas there are lots of people looking for pet minders while they are away so it should be relatively easy to find one.

Try trustedhousitters, someone might need housitting over the holidays

Oh what shot timing. Sorry OP.
I hope you get to tell those sellers what idiots they are to have put you in this position.

Take to Facebook - say your sale has fallen through. There will be some friend of a friend looking to sublet, which will at least give you somewhere to stay in the short term. Also try spareroom for short term sublets.

Spareroom.co.uk is good for short term cheaper rooms to rent at reasonable cost. You'll probably have to share facilities with other occupants but it'll get you through. Good luck.

Btw I gave notice because I can't afford to pay rent and pay a mortgage...

Look at spare room.com - lots of people renting out rooms in their home

Why did you hand in your notice before you'd even exchanged?

@Bakewellbits join all your local groups on Facebook and ask if someone would rent short term. I've known people to rent that way. It really can work.

https://m.spareroom.co.uk/flatshare/?search_id=1335635542&mode=list

here is a search of Croydon, OP. There are quite a few out there lots that include bills too. I’d rent a furnished one with a live in landlady or landlord so you don’t have to sign a new tenancy agreement. Then stick your stuff in storage.

Helpful. As she said she couldn’t afford the rent and mortgage.

Are you drunk?

You could ask on your local Facebook group. I quite often see people asking to rent a room or flat on a temporary basis for similar reasons. It might suit someone looking for extra cash to rent out a room for a bit.

the new tenants are not your monkey. sadly that's the case.

try talking to shelter, not citizens advice. CA is chocka getting pension credits sorted right now so are unlikely to be available until late January.

Well, perhaps the OP doesn't want to behave like an utter cunt?

It could also potentially cause issues if she is evicted and can’t find a purchase so needs a rental with references. I’d be cautious and try to rent a room instead.

Look for lodgings, friend of mine used to lodge with an elderly lady in North London just after graduation, the rent was cheap but my friend would pick up groceries for both of them, help out with any admin bits the lady needed, kept the place clean and tidy. The lady had a visual impairment and some limited mobility, so didn't really create much mess, my friend said it was no different in that respect to living alone, but was pleased to have company and felt less vulnerable having someone around. They used to cook for each other. My friend ended up staying there two years, (developed a mild taste for sherry) they got on, and it helped my friend get a foot on the career ladder, and save some money.

Yeah, nobody likes paying double but it's something you just have to suck up for a month as a first time buyer moving from a rental. I'd budget for a bit of overlap next time.

Is there a caravan park near you? My friend rented out her holiday caravan v cheap to someone in a similar situation to you, it was good for her as well as it was normally unoccupied over most of the winter so she got more income than usual even though the rate was low. Might be something like that you could do. Or make an offer to someone with a holiday home/rental that isn’t occupied - they might take you up on it.

Yeah, it would be an absolutely cunty thing to do to the new tenants.

You're better than that. Have you absolutely no family/friends you could stay with? Could you WFH so you could consider options further out?

You definitely didn't get get any insurance that would cover your costs??

I'm sorry you're in this position, but at keast you could do AirBnB if you had to.

It may be a blessing @Bakewellbits. Property is very flat in Croydon/Coulsdon at present. You may get a better deal.

Might it be worth writing to the probate departments of local solicitors? They might have empty properties waiting for private to be granted that could do with lights on/heating on pending paperwork and sale?

You are the one giving bad legal advice actually