Housing advice

[wishiwasonthebeach]

I have also posted on chat.

Myself and DH have been living on the same rented flat for 10 years. Now with our 2.5 yrs DS as well. We've recently been told by our landlord that we need to move out, we have a notice to leave by the 26th March.

It's all very scary, as we have an 'old' rent, and cannot afford current London prices, although we both work, DH full time and me part time.

I've been adviced that we can apply for a council house as homeless, but dread to think that I'll have to take my son to live on a B&B or hostel. It's very scary as I don't know with who we might end up living with

My question is, if we get offered temporary accommodation on a hostel, can we instead move in with friends while we wait for appropriate housing, or will we lose priority? It would only be temporary, as we can't stay at her house long term and it would be on a different borough.

Have you applied for housing benefit? Might be that you could find your own private rental then.

I haven't yet. We did a check online and might be entitled to a little hb but not much as we both work. The main probably is getting a deposit and I worry about credit checks, I'm on a dept management plan

Local council might run the rent assist scheme where they lend the deposit/rent in advance. But won't you get all that back anyway from present landlord?

You can live with a friend or relative as a crisis address while awaiting the outcome of your homelessness assessment and suitable housing. However, depending on turnover in the area that you want to live, you could be in that position for a very long time.

I might get some deposit from our landlord, but still not sure. It's complicated, we been in the same property for 10 yrs and have had 3 landlords, who have bought the flat from the previous one as an investment. Our current one says that he didn't get the money from the previous one, but has agreed to give us the money, but I don't trust him. Even if he does, well still need to get at least £2000 more, to cover agency fees and current London prices. The deposit we paid was 10 yrs ago, and rents have increased a lot since then.