I’m an 18 year old in trouble help please!

[MacLanes]

I’m in debt with my student accommodation I can’t find support to help me because all my family are separated my parents are both in terrible situations and don’t talk to me I try to but it never works. Well I’m not in debt yet but my next months rent is on October 1st for £615 I can’t get a student loan because I’m an apprentice and I haven’t started work yet. What do I do? I had to leave home due to certain issues, I had £800 in my savings and spent it all on a deposit and rent for this place. I need to make atleast £615 somehow before Octobet 1st what do I do!!!???

Nationwide student account you can apply for £1000 interest free overdraft in Year 1 + £100 joining fee. Just the sort of thing you need to tide you through. Make sure you don't go any higher than that. Try a blitz on casual jobs (eg baby sitting, working for events , dog sitting) to see if you can earn a bit of extra cash.

My friend and I lived at a wearehomesforstudents location (I'm pretty sure at least) and my friend had issues with payment also. I think they do payment plans and take a percentage of what you can pay (a sort of deposit) and allow you to defer the payment. It was a few years ago so it might have changed now and also it might differ location to location. It's pretty common for students at uni to have issues with money coming in at the wrong time so they should be able to help in some sort of way. Maybe you aren't at uni but it's essentially the same problem. Hope you're okay ^^ a fellow student :)

Thanks friend

It’s best to talk to your landlord before you miss payment.

are you currently unemployed? As in you’ve not started your apprenticeship? When will your payday be?

My payday is 30th of October

On the wearehomesforstudents website, there's an FAQ and under the paying rent section it talks about paying in instalments. It's not exactly clear what they offer, as it's mostly about paying the initial rent in instalments, and it sounds like you've already paid that. However it does say 'Other instalment options may be available.' - so it might be worth contacting them just to have a chat about your situation. They might be able to offer you a temporary solution. It looks like you can contact them using this form: https://wearehomesforstudents.com/contact though I'd probably just bite the bullet and call them (0330 822 3867) first thing in the morning.

I'm a bit confused though, as it says you must be a full-time student to rent through them - how did you get around that?

Don’t go,for a loan, just pay it late. Tell the landlord you get paid at the end of October and you’ll at it then.

youll be in arrears and he’ll have to suck that up and you can catch it up. Perhaps her evening work in a bar or something.

loand will just lead to interest and charges and your landlord can’t get you out that fast. He won’t like it but he can’t do anything. Speak to a CAB and see what they say.

Good luck!

oh, and you might want to get a different girlfriend. One that actually wants to help out when you’re in a bind.

I am a nan with Parkinson's disease and a bad memory. I could not afford to give you that amount of money if I was your nan (I'm not as none of my Grandchildren are anywhere near your age yet!), but I would definitely want you to tell me about any serious problems and/or worries that you have - and I count this as a serious worry - so I would want you to share it with me.

If nothing else, I would give you an enormous hug, either a real one, or a virtual one if we couldn't meet in person. Actually, I would also remind you that something will get sorted out as long as you are proactive - which you are already being by asking Mumsnetters for advice - and that even if the worst thing was to happen, and this apprenticeship does fall through for whatever reason, it will not be the end of the world. Of course it would be very frustrating, and you would probably feel some degree of sadness for a while. But, in fact, sometimes when the worst thing we can imagine actually does happen, it can lead to an even better result in the end.

However, for good things to happen I do believe, as I said above, that you need to look-up, follow-up, ask people who's job it is, or volunteers like at the CAB, for any help and/or advice that they can give you. I'm sending you love and a hug as if you are my Grandchild! 🤗❤️ xx

Go and see the students union if the institution has one.
you could start a Gofundme page.

Contact the Citizens Advice Bureau in your area, their contact details will be on Google, they will advise you on what you need to do to get help.

Stay away from loan sharks as well as pay day loan companies, as they would cause your financial issues to multiply much worse than they are right now.

From now on make yourself a budget ( list all your outgoings payments and dates ) to keep track of your finances so that you can keep on top of your finances as budgeting helps reduce money worries in the future.

I have supported myself through hard times by doing mystery shopping. If you do a google local ones to you will come up but Amberarch and Ipsos are two I have used a lot.

I suggest you set up a separate bank account for all these earnings, and use that to pay your rent off.

I think you may well be able to get some help from your bank as £600 sound a huge amount (and it is to me!) but to banks it isn't that big a deal so they may well be able to agree an overdraft or a small payment plan. Do NOT go down the payday loan route, EVER! Good luck, it's scary but you are doing SO well.

Get a student bank account. They had interest free overdraft when I was a student

I straight up said I’m an apprentice and need an accommodation near me would you take an apprentice in? They said yes we take apprentices in. I was like oh okay.

Have you tried for an Ousba loan it's a student only loan through student finance which is very fast. You would pay it back out of your grant?

I see you don't want to ask your nan for any financial help, but is there anyone in your extended family (uncle, auntie, cousin) who might be able to help you cover your next rent if you explain your situation and tell them you will pay them back after you get paid?

Wishing you all the best with your apprenticeship

Would you be eligible for UC if you aren't yet in work and you have rent to find

If your wages are low you might qualify for some housing benefit and other benefits

As soon as you become eligible for UC you can take out a loan to cover or go someway to cover the rent

Go on the Entitledto website to look at what you
might be able to claim.

I hope you are genuine OP. If you aren't connected to a uni or doing any type of higher education then you will need to either ask your employer or talk to the landlord. Good luck.

The landlord can’t kick you out. You have a rental agreement and rights. Speak to them and explain the situation. You may very well be charged interest daily. But once your money comes through you can pay off the amount I hope and set up a standing order as soon as possible so that the money goes out in time.

No one on here can give you money. You need to talk to your landlord and explain the situation.

Would you encourage your daughter to pay their partner's rent at age 18?! I wouldn't, there are other avenues for help.

OP, approach your college. If you don't know who to contact, ask anyone (teachers, secretaries etc) and they'll point you in the right direction. You should look up the student support services.

Honestly you're better owing/being late on your rent, than taking out a loan to be up-to-date with your rent. Students are late with their rent a lot, it's a known thing. Get in touch with student services, they will help you. This happens a lot, they're used to it.

I'm really sorry to hear you're in this tough situation. While it can feel overwhelming, there are a few options you can explore to try and cover the rent by October 1st. Here’s some practical advice:

1. Speak to Your Accommodation Provider

• Reach out to them early: Contact your student accommodation provider or landlord as soon as possible to explain your situation. Some providers may allow for payment plans, rent extensions, or offer flexibility, especially if they know you're working towards a solution. Showing that you're proactive and communicative can make a big difference.

2. Seek Financial Help

• Emergency funds or grants: Many universities or local organizations have emergency funds or grants for students and apprentices in financial difficulty. Check with the student services or welfare team at your institution and explain your situation.
• Charity support: Some charities offer financial support to students or people facing financial hardship, particularly if you’re estranged from your family.
  • Turn2us (UK-based) offers grants for those in financial hardship. They have a grants search tool.
  • Apprentice support: There might be apprentice-specific financial assistance programs, depending on your sector or location.

3. Part-time Work

• Short-term employment: Look for part-time work or temporary gigs, even for the short term. You might find weekend jobs, shifts in hospitality, retail, or other flexible options. Some places may allow you to start immediately.
• Freelancing or gigs: If you have any skills like writing, tutoring, graphic design, or even manual labor, you could take on freelance gigs through platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or TaskRabbit.
• Delivery or ride-sharing services: If you have a bike or access to a vehicle, companies like UberEats, Deliveroo, or Just Eat may offer flexible earning opportunities.

4. Borrowing

• Interest-free or low-interest loans: Some banks offer interest-free student overdrafts, which might give you temporary relief. Look into whether your bank offers something like this for apprentices.
• Family and friends: If you have any friends or relatives, even outside your immediate family, who may be able to lend you money temporarily, it might be worth reaching out for help. Be honest about your situation and offer a repayment plan when you can afford it.

5. Access to Food Banks or Other Resources

• Local food banks: If you're struggling with food costs, look for local food banks or student support networks that offer free meals. This could free up some cash to put toward your rent.

6. Apprenticeship or Employer Support

• Advance on wages: Once you start your apprenticeship, ask your employer if they can provide an advance on your first wage. Some employers may be able to help with this if you're facing an urgent situation.

7. Sell Items for Extra Cash

• Sell unwanted items: If you have items like clothes, electronics, or other things you no longer need, consider selling them online through platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Depop to quickly raise funds.

8. Contact a Financial Adviser

• Many universities or apprenticeships have financial advisors who can give you tailored advice. They might help you find additional financial support or create a budget plan to help you manage your money while things get sorted out.

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While it can be hard to ask for help, reaching out to as many resources as possible can increase your chances of getting the support you need. You’re taking steps in the right direction by seeking advice early, and I hope you can find a solution before October 1st.

You're joking right?

Maybe the girlfriend needs that money. Maybe she doesn't just have £600 spare to give for a month (most of us don't).

Or maybe she doesn't want to lend someone a huge amount of money, something that changes the dynamics of a relationship.

We're not talking about £10 for a meal here... and even if we were, she would have a right to say she would need the money back promptly.

You are correct with the first part though, it is good advice.

OP, your best solution is explaining the situation to the landlord and offering to pay a late fee. Try this before getting a loan. Have a look for foodbanks in your area also and try and pick up some evening/weekend casual work.

If you're not currently a student then you're available to look for work. So you claim universal credit stating this. Ask also for an advance or a crisis loan from DWP, which they'll take back gradually from your benefit payments. It doesn't matter that you have an apprentice job lined up. Look for another job of any description and be prepared to take a full time permanent job if offered, because that's the criteria to claim.

What is your apprenticeship income going to be? They tend to not be enough for living independently so you may need an alternative plan for a couple of years. A part time job.
My son got £20k as an apprentice. Is it about that level?
I am sorry your parents aren’t supporting you even with advice and am angry on your behalf. They shouldn’t be expecting you to go it alone at 18 in this situation. Good luck.