Homelessness

[Emmah1993]

Hi ladies

Before I start, this is a long post, I am a 24 year old single mum, my son is almost 4 and I have Judy found out I'm about 10 weeks pregnant, I left work September 2016 due to my son falling very sick, very quick, I had no choice but to take care of my son, as I have no one else to do so.

A big ask but I have no one to turn to, and I have no idea what to do...
October last year I applied for universal credit, whilst this was processing, all of my other benefits were stopped, leaving me penniless and unable to pay my rent or bills. Which is when my landlord issued me with a section 21 with 60 days notice to vacate the property. Which led me to the 16th December, the council/ local authority put me into temporary homeless accommodation, no questions asked!
Today I have received a letter stating that the council have come to the understanding that I have made myself intentionally homeless, giving me 28 days to (I assume) vacate the temporary accommodation as they have no duty of care for us...

What more can I do? Who can I contact? Is there any way I can change their minds?

The outstanding rent arrears ( two months rent) was paid on the day of the section 21 expiry.

I'm worried, I'm scared, I'm exhausted and so confused about all of this

Thanks in advance

Emma

No knowledge of this but sending you and recommend you contact Shelter. Good luck.

I'm not an expert, so first port of call would be to contact Shelter. They'll be able to advise you for free.

From what you've said, I'd be following up with the council to ask why they think you've made yourself intentionally homeless?

Within the letter informing you of the council's decision of your 'intentional' homelessness, there should have been an appeal paragraph stating you have 28-days to appeal against their decision.

I'd call Shelter's helpline and their legal arm is highly recommended.

I'm often furious at how the intentional homeless argument is used by local authorities. You have a dependent child u-5 and you are expecting a child.

The council's decision here can be argued given your back story and as it sounds like you're in a live service area for UC, you've been scooped up in this.

You must get some support from Shelter for this and use this 28-day window to challenge there decision robustly.

And have a hug. I feel free you.

Completely agree with what Mc180768 said. Not paying rent does not always equal "intentionally homeless" and you should definitely appeal. Shelter will be able to help with this. see link below and give them a call

england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/homelessness/guide/get_help_from_your_council_when_homeless/challenge_the_councils_decision

my landlord issued me with a section 21 with 60 days notice to vacate the property
Did you vacate the property on the date stated on the section 21 or did the LL take you to court to get you evicted?

When you received the section 21, did you ask the council for advice on what to do?

Quite often if people leave on the date stated on the section 21, the LA (council) will have deemed them to have voluntarily left their accommodation.

Often LAs will tell tenants with section 21 notices to stay in their accommodation until the LL has an eviction notice issued by the court.

It is a disgusting practice on the part of LAs as tenants try to do the best by their LL to get a good reference for the future.

This practice puts tenants in further debt as they are then liable for the costs of the court action as well.

The best thing you can do is to contact Shelter (as per PPs).