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Original poster

So fed up of the renting situation in this country :(

52 replies

thetaleofthegooseandthesloth · 04/04/2018 14:47

Currently we are stuck in a 2 bed terrace house with a small patio and the tiniest kitchen I've ever seen. We moved in 4 years ago and luckily are still paying the same rate but we can't leave because rent is extortionate here now. To rent a 3 bed we are looking at a minimum of 200 more a month, more towards 300.

On one hand I think I should be grateful for the roof over my head, and I am, but on the other hand I'm annoyed at having to fit my 3 children in one room. The youngest (2) is in with us at the moment and it's draining. I've been on the council list for 2.5 years and have never come any lower than 20 something on the list.

I'm a SAHM currently, I want a job but childcare for them so far has put me off. They are 5,3 and 2 and just part-time the costs would be ridiculous. Anyway, I have an interview next week for a part-time position in the NHS. However, I'm going to uni next September and so getting a job to get enough income for a 3 bed house isn't really a great idea, as we may struggle to afford the increased rent when I go to uni.

We have the money to put a deposit down on a house thanks to the in-laws saving but we can't because I'm in debt and have ruined that chance for about 6 years.

I am thinking about getting a sofa bed for downstairs and letting the children share our rooms. Has anyone done this? The older two share fine but adding the smaller one in is almost impossible, he's a little devil Grin

OP posts:
DeloresJaneUmbridge · 04/04/2018 14:52

Yes do it, it is a god solution, even better if you can get one of those sofa beds with built in storage. All your bedding can go in there during the day.

Yes it's a pain to have to do this each day but it is doable.

I hear your pain with regard to renting. I was lucky enough to get a housing association property five years ago but the place I was privately renting prior to this is now over £1000 a month Shock. I was on good money at the time but struggling as DS is autistic and I needed to massively reduce my hours. It was £650 a month then....even if I had stayed there in full time work my salary wouldn't have kept up with the rent. The situation for private renters in this country is ridiculous.

Babyroobs · 04/04/2018 16:19

Can you get an evening or weekend job working around your partner? My friend has always lived in a tiny 2 bed starter house and for years slept downstairs on a fold out bed. She owns though but could never afford to move, it's not just renters that suffer in cramped conditions
like this.

Original poster
thetaleofthegooseandthesloth · 04/04/2018 16:53

I know it's not Babyroobs, but I rent, so that's why I'm talking from a renters perspective, plus more people rent now than ever because not many can buy!

We have discussed evening/weekend jobs and I am looking at them, but it would mean never seeing my husband as he doesn't get in until 6pm then I would go straight out.

I also can't do that at uni as it's 9-5 every day and placements.

OP posts:
Tippexy · 04/04/2018 16:54

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Tippexy · 04/04/2018 16:55

Why can’t DH buy a house in his own name if your credit is so bad?

GreenSeededGrape · 04/04/2018 16:55

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Grandmaswagsbag · 04/04/2018 16:59

Op I sympathise, it’s shit. Could you look at shared ownership? If you’re looking for a long term home, some schemes can be a more affordable way of stepping up to a bigger place. I think That’s what we’ll have to opt for. It’s not as good as owning outright off course but at least you have a bit more security than renting.

DeloresJaneUmbridge · 04/04/2018 17:02

Nice of you to share that judgey attitude Tippexy. Hour up those judgey pants to your armpits why don't you Hmm.
Did the OP TELL you in her post she CHOSE to have a bird child? Did she say anything which gave you that indication? No...but you chose to judge her anyway. Nice!

DeloresJaneUmbridge · 04/04/2018 17:03

And the OP told people WHY she is a SAHM. The cost of childcare. I wonder if some of you have had a fucking compassion bypass quite honestly,

GreenSeededGrape · 04/04/2018 17:07

Of course we do but I have 2 dc, work 50 hours a week and juggle childcare and live in a 2 bed house.

Who fucking owes me anything? MN is just sometimes so full of people who have no idea that getting an idea would be great.

NotAnotherUserName5 · 04/04/2018 17:10

Are you sure you can't get a mortgage?
It might surprise you if you go see a good broker?
Many people get mortgages with existing debts.

hotstepper4 · 04/04/2018 17:10

We do this. We rent a little 2 bed terrace, we have ds, dss1 and dss2 in the night room in 2 bunks, and dsd in the little room in a double bed so me and dh sleep in it when she isn't here. Our dc aren't here constantly though. When they are here me and dh sleep on the sofa bed. It's draining I know! It does work though.

sportyfool · 04/04/2018 17:13

I know someone who rents in a 2 bed and their bedroom is also the lounge . I would hate this but I wouldn't have had more children I couldn't house ( not being smug , I just like space around me so probably more selfish 😬)

ziggiestardust · 04/04/2018 17:15

tippexy how is that helpful? What exactly have you added to the conversation?

OP a sofabed (a nice one with a good mechanism that fits in with your living room furniture) seems like a really good idea here. It might be worth talking to a mortgage broker regardless actually; as long as you’re completely up front with them and explain the circumstances, they can sometimes work to get you a deal still, just with a higher interest rate. Nothing ventured, nothing gained surely?

DeloresJaneUmbridge · 04/04/2018 17:17

She didn't ask for your judgement about her life. she asked if putting a sofa bed downstairs might be a solution. The answer is YES...not a comment about her being someone who stays at home with three kids. She explained that...the cost of childcare would cancel out any income and more.
FWIW the house I rented just five years ago would be beyond my income now..and it was an ex LA house on a crappy estate! No way would my wages have kept pace with the increase in rent.

And life changes too. Thankfully I have only one child..but if I'd had two or three when my marriage broke down then I would have been in a similar position.

Even if I had owned the property I couldn't have survived there given my son's needs.

I get that it's crap for those who own too but at least they have something at the end of it.

There is a lack of affordable housing in this country and judging someone with three children when you have no idea of the circumstances is beyond disgusting. Have some insight folks and remember that not everyone chooses their situation, sometimes life can be hard. And none of us are immune from sudden life changes ...believe me I know first hand how quickly life can go from a breeze to a massive struggle.

AGuiltyFeminist · 04/04/2018 17:18

This might sound judgey too but you say you are going to study from September, that is quite a price page when you have three kids, I can't afford to study though I would love to. How will you afford childcare for study but not for Work Which you would be paid for?

AGuiltyFeminist · 04/04/2018 17:19

Privelage not price page Hmm

GreenSeededGrape · 04/04/2018 17:32

Exactly AGuilty

This country gives out so much help yet everyone thinks they're entitled to more.

OP could find a job around her dc, expensive childcare is no a good enough reason to be a sahm if you're struggling.

Babyroobs · 04/04/2018 17:43

Loads of people get weekend jobs and never see their partner, I've done 20 years of it !

Original poster
thetaleofthegooseandthesloth · 04/04/2018 18:37

OH earns 20k so no not eligible for a mortgage.

What's your point @greenseededgrape? Be judgy all your like but make your point clear at least.

You know that childcare part time per month for me for my 3 young kids would be 260 per week right? You know that part-time jobs don't pay much right? When I was working part-time with DD1 I was bringing home 770 and childcare was 135 a week...

I don't even know why I'm justifying this because obviously the cunts are out tonight.

OP posts:
Original poster
thetaleofthegooseandthesloth · 04/04/2018 18:39

Did you read the bit where I said I had a job interview, or that I want a job? No, I suppose not, because you're hiding behind your little username being tough. Sitting up on your pedestal of a working mum.

Third child wasn't planned (it was just one night for the first time in 6 months) husband wanted an abortion, I don't believe in abortion, we discussed it and went ahead. Sorry I'm not fucking perfect.

OP posts:
Original poster
thetaleofthegooseandthesloth · 04/04/2018 18:41

Or the bit where I wrote I'm going to UNI next year so that I can work for the NHS until I retire? Oh. No.

OP posts:
Fattymcfaterson · 04/04/2018 18:50

I get you OP, I live in a small 3 bed with my 2 DC and DH. DH works funny shifts so finding work around that was impossible, without factoring in childcare costs.
I now work PT whilst they are at school, earning a pittance.
Since we moved into this house 7 years ago the rents for equivalent properties have gone up by 500. Needless to say our wages haven't risen that much!
THAT is the problem, not how many kids you've got

QuiteLikely5 · 04/04/2018 18:51

You would earn a tidy sum working and getting tax credits. People bang on about childcare but tax credits pay a large percentage of your childcare fees

I do think you are financially irresponsible given you ruined your credit record even though your pils have been saving for a house deposit

waxedlyrical · 04/04/2018 19:00

You're criticising people for being judgy but your thread title makes me think you just wanted attention because your question is nothing to do with the renting situation?

I think you have invited criticism on your 'situation' as you describe it.

The situation is;

  • you have three children
  • your partner is a low earner
  • you can't work and afford childcare
  • you have chosen to go to university rather than get work now
  • you have a poor credit rating because of debt

Not sure how any of that is the fault of the renting situation in this country?

As a result of the above choices you now can't afford to buy a house. So if your children can't share then yes you'll have to give up your bedroom.