Universal / housing benefits x

[Mumr19]

Hi guys I've been offered a property and I accepted and having the keys Monday, but today I had to pay £477 of my rent to my current landlord , I handed my month notice on today too, basically when I have the keys Monday will housing benefit start from next month? Sorry if that doesn't make sense, just don't want to end up in rent arrears x

I know - when the council offer a property, there's no dillydallying allowed where you say that you've to give a month's notice on your current property - they're ruthless in that respect. But it's a blessing to get your property so you'll have to dance to their tune. Best method is communicate immediately with them about your financial difficulties caused by the move and they should be reasonable. They were with me when I switched to UC as I was a month in arrears too.

That's great that you've the basics - I had nothing. But there was a moving payment - the hardship payment thing that you could apply for.

Is your new house nice? Nice area? Are you excited?

There's a poster who usually knows a lot about council stuff @Helenadove I think - hope you don't mind me tagging you Helena.

@GimmeAy yeah it's lovley, it feels like our first proper family home, I am so excited I've been in private rent since I was 16 I'm nearly 20 with a 1 year old and I suffer anxiety and depression and this flat I'm currently in has just made my anxiety 100x worse as I have had to ring the fire brigade because of our Eletric box starting burning and smoke was coming up our stairs and were on a 1st floor old flat so I'm really excited to have my first properr home that isnt private rented x

@GimmeAy thankyou! I hope she can help x

Ah it's great - it can be all up in the air initially until you manage to sort things out financially, but I hope this will be a positive happy move for you and provides you with long term stability and that your health might improve too!

@GimmeAy fingers crossed , I'm fine financially tbh but I just am confused how this is going to happen with rent etc, if they do ask me for a months rest I will be able to sort it x

Congratulations on your home @Mumr19
There will be some things to iron out I'm sure, my best advice would be to keep talking to the council. They will have dealt with this many times before and will know what you need to do. There are always issues when leaving/moving into a property, but once you are in there you are somewhere you can really build a life and that's really exciting. I hope it goes well for you in your new home!

The only thing I will say is that if they agree a repayment plan, make sure that come hell or high water you stick to it rigidly. They don't like tenants messing around with rent. But if you managed to pay since you were 16, I'm sure you're good with money, so you should be fine.

@GracieLane thankyou so much I appreciate it x

@GimmeAy yes I am really good with my money , I have had a family member in debt so I get really scared to be in debt so if I did end up in areers I would 100% stick to the payment plan, I wouldn't put mine and my little boys home at risk, thanks for your advice I appreciate it x

Remember you'll have council tax to pay too, though if you're on benefits, it shouldn't be the full amount. That's another bill to prioritise. First thing that gets paid here is rent and council tax as that's my priority. You'll be grand I'd say!

How old is your little boy? Is he excited getting a new room? Will you have a garden or anything or is it a flat too?

@GimmeAy yeah I do pay council tax at the start of the year but only one payment! I will sort it as soon as I get the keys tho, and he's 1 but going on 3 it seems lol, he's been walking since he was 9 months he's a very active baby and we don't have a garden in the flat we're currently in so I can't wait for him to just be able to go in our garden to play, no it's a 2 bedroom house :)

Oh you won't know yourself with a garden. He'll love it.

Ye, I've often wondered about paying council tax in one lump sum but never seem to have the money for it at the time.

This is a whole new chapter in your life. You won't know yourself!

@GimmeAy I don't pay much because I get it reduced because I'm on benefits x

@GimmeAy and I know ! We can't wait, so exciting :)

Aw it's great news.