Rent arrears

[Listentomum]

I'm renting assured short hold tenant through a letting agent. I have found myself in arrears. I'm a dull time student, single parent. I claim housing be if it which is 40% rent. I have not been paid all my child are payments from student finance which has caused me hardship. I have claimed job seekers over the summer and so have full housing benifit for 10 weeks.

I missed my July rent payment of 625 but have since payed housing benifit every fortnight as rent. My rentvis due on the 9th of each month. I'm currently one month in arrears. On weds I will get HB payment so will pay that to my rent and do the same in a fortnight. Making me under 2 months in arrears but up to date. So if it makes sence out of 625x2 I will owe about 800.

Student fiancé have been difficult they said they needed confirmation of child are forms again so I sent them. I followed up and was given a payment date of sept 11th but they did t pay me. I followed it up at 8am on the 11th, they then said they didn't get my I trial application form and would send it out that day. I didn't get it and after 7 days I followed it up again. They sent it out again. I received it last weds and my childminder is now on holiday do she can't sign it.

My next student finace payment, which is unaffected by this cock up is due on 19th September 10 days late of my 9th September payment.

I will only be 850 in arrears and not 1250 as a full 2 months late.

Long winded I know but my question is can my land lord serve an eviction notice. I'm getting mixed messages from letting agent, they are very understanding and inform me I'm doing the right thing making payments and keeping them informed and offering to settle on the 19th but they have no influence over the landlord. In the mean time I'm getting almost daily letters threatening court action. I then call after every letter and I get a very understanding response and they will pass on to the landlord I've been in contact and explained and they will let me know what she says. However every time I ask want she says they say... Ill talk to her and get back to you.

I know I should pay my rent. I don't know my LLs circumstances but I'm petrified I'm going to loose my home. I'm fuming with student finance and have no controls over this cock up. Can someone advice me of what could realistic.y happen in such circumstances. Could I realistically be evicted?

Sorry about typos, worried tired and bloody auto correct.

So does your housing benefit only cover 40% of your rent? There is nothing else you can do other than get a loan for the money from parents perhaps to be paid back on the 19th when you get your student finance? But then would you be able to afford other bills? Is there anywhere cheaper to rent if this is un affordable? Eviction takes time - how long do you have left on your contract?

Just thought, my uni had a welfare office that might be able to answer questions re eviction.

It is otherwise not too expensive to pay but student finace owe me close to £2000 due to a cock up. And I was expecting this to be paid over the summer but it has been slower in getting sorted than I first thought. It is a temporary hardship I suppose.

I have no parents alive and can't borrow off family as they just don't have that spare.

I applied for learning fund before the summer but funds had ran out. I'm planning on calling them again today to see if I can apply for it for this semester. But as its means tested I did not qualify last year due to bursery. But even this will take a few weeks to apply for and get processed.

There is lots of information about this sort of problem on Shelter's website. Shelter do not only deal with homelessness. They have a huge amount of expertise on all housing issues and will be able to advise you about whether eviction is a possibility. Their free advice helpline is 0808 800 4444. You could also contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau or look on their website for some basic information (adviceguide.org).

I think agree with RedHelenB...your uni should have someone who can help with this.

Thanks for advice. I have been on shelter this morning and read up I think as long as I make payments and stay under 2 months areas I should be ok.

What I mess I feel so bad for not paying, I have no idea of my LL situation. I just can't wait for the 19th to come.

yes, you could be evicted, but it will cost your landlord time and money. You can sit there for months awaiting the bailiffs, the law is on your side. You certainly can't be thrown out tomorrow, they can't change the locks or send the boys round. (despite what the landlord-haters on here will tell you - if any of these things happen, dial 101)

Of course he/she also has bills to pay, and you don't want this on your record. So it is in both your interests to try to talk directly to your landlord, explain what is happening and what your plan is to catch up. The agent may not even be passing on the calls as agents do as little work as possible.

good luck in sorting it out.