Homeless With My 5 Year Old

[LoveMyDaughterT]

I privately rent and live with my 5 year old daughter. My landlord has given us notice to move as she is selling. I have contacted the council as the estate agent said they can’t help me. The council said that I should refuse to move and that my landlord should take me to court? I asked if this would cost me and the council said yes but I don’t even have any money. I don’t get child maintenance either as her dad isn’t around (he is on birth certificate but is running from child maintenance and refuses to see his daughter) Also it would put a bad record to my name if my landlord went to court if I refused to move. My landlord and estate agents have been nothing but good to me when I have been here. The council said they won’t help until I turn up to them on the day with my bags packed and that they would put me in a studio around druggies and alcoholics and violent people. (Yes she said this) I have shown them proof from a letter that my landlord is selling. I have no where to go. I work part time and have been trying my hardest to find a full time job. I’m also on Universal Credit. The council worker said I was stupid not to work full time when I am with the job centre trying to get back into full time work. Has anyone had any experience in homeless? I really don’t want to take my landlord to court as said above. I have no criminal record and no complaints when I was renting privately. Can somebody give me an idea on what happens as I am pulling my hair and feeling worthless.

You should have 8 weeks to find somewhere, she might even let you stay a couple of weeks after that?

Perhaps you can go to a temp agency for work. What are your skills?

Ask your ll for a glowing reference for a private rental. Claim HB and ask the council for help with the deposit or ask a potential ll if you can pay it in instalments . Email your MP also.

Firstly, I’m really sorry. This private renting is truly shit when you have kids.

IT depends on your area. Mine the council won’t class you as homeless unless it’s been to court and he bailiffs have been. You then go to the council and they will house you temporarily and you’ll be high priority banding to bid on homes. It’s bloody shit for you and bloody shit for the landlord (who is the one who has to pay to take you to court). On the one hand it is an opportunity to get a more stable council home then a private rental, which might put you in the same position again in 6 months.

i have been in this position op and its terrifying
all i could do was search and search for another private rent. our local council helped us with a deposit scheme but that wasnt until i had already paid deposit and first months rent.

SaveKevin, I read somewhere that if the courts don’t see a good reason for me to refuse to leave that I would have to pay all the fees. I’ve got nothing to my name. I didn’t even want to be a single parent, my daughter’s father was violent so I had no choice but to be a single mother :(

First of all I'm sorry about this. If you claim housing benefits could you look for another rental that accepts housing benefits and just cut out the council homeless shelter? Just go private rent and then claim HB then obv make sure they accept it too. U can put out an add on gum tree Facebook lookin for these rentals. And go to other estate agents online or over the phone asking etc 2nd of all make a FORMAL COMPLAINT against the stupid cow in the council about the way she spoke to you calling you names and being no help at all! I hate people like this! How long do you have to move ? Don't worry it will be ok you have to put in the work everyday from
Tomorrow though.
Searching online calling every estate agents rental company. Good luck it will be fine xx

I also want to say as I forgot to say it in my original post (sorry!) that I am on housing benefit and in a one bed flat so I have been on the council bidding list. I am coming like in the 60’s whereas 6 years ago I was coming around 200.

I used to be in the Life House when I was pregnant (it’s a charity for homeless pregnant women or women with a child) and I have been trying to get back in contact with them to house me again. But so far no contact.

I work in housing.

My advise is to ask your landlord for a reference and keep looking for other private lets. Look in newspapers and ask your local authority for a list of registered landlords. Estate agents and landlords always ask for a reference and credit checks, can you ask for your deposit back to cover the credit check fees?

When our service users find a property, we apply for Discretionary Housing Payments to cover the costs of the first month’s rent and the deposit and also the removal costs. We also provide up to six month’s rent advance, which the tenant pays back over a 2 year period. Can you google is there is an organisation that provide housing related support near you? And definitely ring Shelter for an appointment- they provide housing advice and can advocate on your behalf should you go to court

There was new legislation in April 2018 and councils are supposed to try and help you to avoid homelessness. Google and see what you can find. Also, go to see your mp. Your council sound appalling. I know they are under pressure but that doesn't excuse how they are treating you. Which borough are you in?

Sofa surf with friends. Go council. State you ate working and need to live in that area etc. They will put you prob in a hostel. After a week complain it is unsuitable to share facilities when you have young dc and state its not safe for DC to be in kitchen whilst cooking etc they will then when they can move you to a studio. Not ideal but better. And as you'll be on UC you will get money towards housing g benefit

Op I work for a company who have over 100 properties. No bond /rent up front required if you can give an idea of area maybe I can help?

You need to stay put if you want the council to house you in temporary / emergency accommodation. If you leave before bailiffs have attended (after your section 21 court hearing /decision) then you will be seen as having made yourself intentionally homeless.
The whole process usually takes a couple of months from receiving your form 6A.

If you are happy and able to find another private rented property, that would be the best thing. If you need help with a deposit for private rented the council may offer a deposit scheme if they find you suitable (no arrears etc). As you said, the council would put you in very basic accommodation wherever they can find it, may not be local and certainly won't be desirable. You still have to pay for it out of housing benefit so you might as well find something you actually like / is ok. Don't leave it up to the council!! Many people do as they want housing register points and think they'll skip the queue... they won't. They get stuck in shit accommodation for a long time.

Section 21 will cost the landlord, rather than tenant but depending on your agreement with them it may effect your deposit. You need to clarify this with your letting agent.

Pearl and rubies is giving excellent advice.

Have you spoken to shelter? They will give you some great advice and specific to your area rather then the he said she said of our varying experiences.

Op I am so sorry, it’s really bloody shit.

Contact women’s aid in your area

User1486131602 I used to be with Women’s Aid when my daughter’s father was abusive. Unfortunately they can’t help me as I’m not experiencing abuse from him anymore.

I’m a landlord and this recently happening to me (the tenant has rented the house for 8 years but I had made the decision to sell).

Tenant refused to leave. I had to issue a section 21 notice (at a cost of £1,500). Court found in my favour. Tenant still refused to leave. So more solicitor and court fees. Judge found in my favour. Tenant still refused to leave. So court ordered the bailiff (more solicitor fees, court fees and a bailiff fee for me).

All in all it took 6 months for the tenant to leave. It cost me £6k in legal fees and the tenant was ordered by the courts to pay £2k in fees and her deposit was returned in full to me.

The tenant now has a CCJ so won’t be able to privately rent.

It was stressful for me, my tenant and her 2 kids i’m sure.

I would avoid going down this route and leave with your dignity.

Why can’t you look for another private rental? It sounds like the council has discretionary funds to help you out with deposit and rent in advance

tomatosalt, it is hard to find somewhere privately as they won’t accept my Universal Credit. I do work but because it is low income, Universal Credit tip me up as in a single parent. Also most places to rent I have found don’t want children in their properties.

NorthernSpirit, I am not going down that route don’t worry. My landlord has been fantastic and I really don’t want to have to refuse to leave. I’m sorry that happened to you.

On a better note I am hopefully being offered a temporary studio apartment which is big until I can be offered a two bedroom council house. This is through an agency who help and support single mothers like myself so I am happy I am getting that support. I have known mothers to only stay there for a couple of years as it pushed them up the council list quite a lot. I’m just happy I’m hopefully being offered a place I can feel secure in.

Top me up *

Good luck with the studio op. You are not useless. Your amazing op