Finding a place to live

[CCMummy5]

Hello, first time posting hope I’m posting in the right place.
So I’m divorced, have two young children and live with a he of my parents at the moment due to not being able to buy or find a private rental.
I’m desperate to get a place for just myself, and my two young children, our current situation is stressful (me and my children share a cramped bedroom and share a bed, barely room to keep our belongings). But it is so hard to get somewhere for the three of us.
-I’m on the social housing list - which is a 2- 5 year wait (coming up to one year on the list)
-I constantly check and contact private rentals when they appear online, but once they find out I have children they say ‘the property is not suitable for children’

What am I missing? What can I do?
I’ve been through hell and things are looking up (I’m working again), now I just want a small place to call our own. My parent is also stressed with us all being here as they thought we wouldn’t be here this long.

Didn't you get any money from your divorce? Are you receiving child maintenance from the father?

-I constantly check and contact private rentals when they appear online, but once they find out I have children they say ‘the property is not suitable for children’

in what way?? pets i can understand but multiple properties unsuitable for children?

Financial resolution is dragging on, so haven’t been able to save for a house deposit and doubt I will get much when it’s done. Yes I get maintenance and would be able to rent, but even though I meet the income criteria when I speak to agents about private rent - all the agents come back saying the properties are not suitable for children. Just feel stuck.

so

you can afford to move out. The problem is all these places not accepting children?

are you claiming all that you are entitled to?

I know, I’m so shocked that it’s this difficult to find a place, but that is the response I get every time.
I have no pets and I meet the income criteria, but just get knocked back because I have children. I don’t know what to do.

Yes 🙁

I think so, I’ve have done the online benefit calculations.

Why didn't you stay in the family home? You say you're divorced but financial resolution is dragging on? Doesn't make sense, surely that is part of the divorce settlement.

Have you registered on openrent? It’s where I got mine.

Are the properties you are looking at too small for 3 people? Ie 1 bedroom/ small 2 bedroom flats?

When renting out a small 2 bed flat I had a family of 5 wanting to rent it. It wasn't that it wasn't suitable for children it was too small for 3 children and two adults.

What size/type of property at you looking at?

I was advised by two different solicitors to sell the home, as I couldn’t afford it by myself, and my ex could cause financial harm (domestic abuse, was cause for divorce).
I am seeking help through a domestic abuse service but even they have said that there is no availability for a refuge close to the area we are in (they are in high demand).
I was hoping I’d get enough equity for a deposit, but legal fees have caused me to accumulate some debt and my ex is trying to make sure that I don’t get much from the equity, and I don’t have the funds to drag it on much longer.

Yes - I got a message on there today saying their property is not suitable for children (2 bed flat with a lift and stairs).
Don’t see a way out of this situation.

At first I was asking about any property that came up, as even a 1 bed would be more spacious for us than the situation we are in now.
But I know that Landlords have to abide by strict criteria so now I only ask about properties with 2 beds or more, but just keep getting told that they’re not suitable for the children. We don’t even get offered a viewing.

It is very unfortunate but a lot of one/two bed flats prefer couples or single people looking for home office. If you have choice if one person or three Inc two kids, you tend to choose one. Landlords market at present as so many selling up and rents and competition high.

Yes that’s the feeling I’m getting, they have so many options they can choose what they want.
I’m worried we’re going to be stuck in this for years.

Have you looked into shared ownership? Could you raise enough for a small deposit?

Honestly, I'd get your relative to officially kick you out. You'll probably be in temp accommodation for a while before you're housed but if you're already sharing a room and a bed, how much worse can it be? Once you're officially homeless you'll move higher on the housing register. If you rent privately, you'll never have security as the LL can decide to sell any time, then you're back to square 1. It's not like you haven't tried to private rent so maybe this is the only/best option.

It is really hard to get a rental with kids.

I am south east and I had to go half an hours drive north of where I was living to get one and I was lucky to get that.

Is competition for rentals high where you are?

If so, try to work out if anyone can be a guarantor. Can you look at going further away from where you currently are? I didn't want to but I had to.

Yes, I’m hoping to try that in the future to get a foot on the ladder.

I have been advised by a few people (even professionals) to do this. It’s a scary prospect, but if I don’t get anything from the divorce I may have to.

Yes competition is crazy, even if you’re lucky ti get a viewing the agents/landlords are asking for tenants to sign into a contract for 2years plus and they choose the one who is willing to do the longest lease contract.
I don’t think I’d be comfortable signing a contract longer than 12 months.

Yes competition is crazy, even if you’re lucky to get a viewing the agents/landlords are asking for tenants to sign into a contract for 2 years plus and they choose the one who is willing to do the longest lease contract.
I don’t think I’d be comfortable signing a contract longer than 12 months.

Yes competition is crazy, even if you’re lucky to get a viewing the agents/landlords are asking for tenants to sign into a contract for 2 years plus and they choose the one who is willing to do the longest lease contract.
I don’t think I’d be comfortable signing a contract longer than 12 months.