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Original poster

Pregnancy and housing crisis

9 replies

Ebonythoughts · 26/03/2025 16:48

Hi all,

I’m feeling really anxious and had a few panic attacks over the last few days. My daughter is 14 months and Im due a planned c-section with my second on the 2nd May. My issue is, we’ve been waiting for a council property for 20 months and I’m currently in a private property that isn’t suitable for my disability (the property has stair which are difficult for me. We rented this property because we moved to the city to be near family and it’s the only property we could afford near family in short notice. Anyway we’ve just about managed in the house for a year because my husband works hybrid and on his office days my sister comes over to help with taking my daughter up and down the stairs for me. The lease for this house ends in April and we really don’t want to renew it because I struggled so much over the past year in it but we can’t afford a private flat or bungalow in the area which is ideally what I need. I’ve contacted housing and they’ve asked me to declare myself homeless but I really don’t want to because it’s so close to my due date and i don’t want to be moving around after having surgery. My midwife and health visitor have also advised against it and said need someone stability to recover and get the support from family I need.

I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place because the landlord wants a decision on whether we’ll renew for a minimum of a year or leave, and housing have said if I renew I’m not technically homeless so they won’t help me so we are still so far on the waiting list that a house through bidding seems impossible at the moment.

I really don’t know what to do and no one seems to be able to give me some guidance either. I’ve contacted Shelter and they just said stay with family if you can but I can’t because my mum lives with my sister and there is no room for us so we have to rent out.

What would you do in this situation? Any advice would be really appreciated.

OP posts:
Wolfhat · 26/03/2025 20:54

Im so sorry you are in this position, of course the last thing you want when this far along.
Honestly, I would do almost anything to avoid being homeless that close to due date. You could find yourself in a hostel, b&b etc, far away from your support network, there are lots of horror stories and if you turn it down you won't be helped and you could be much worse off. Will the council even help if you don't renew your lease as opposed to being evicted?

Is there anything you could do to minimise impact of the stairs? Bedroom downstairs, would it fit a chairlift? There are grants for it where I am. Alternatively are there any other private flats available?

Original poster
Ebonythoughts · 27/03/2025 09:32

Wolfhat · 26/03/2025 20:54

Im so sorry you are in this position, of course the last thing you want when this far along.
Honestly, I would do almost anything to avoid being homeless that close to due date. You could find yourself in a hostel, b&b etc, far away from your support network, there are lots of horror stories and if you turn it down you won't be helped and you could be much worse off. Will the council even help if you don't renew your lease as opposed to being evicted?

Is there anything you could do to minimise impact of the stairs? Bedroom downstairs, would it fit a chairlift? There are grants for it where I am. Alternatively are there any other private flats available?

Thank you. If it wasn’t a private property I would be eligible for grants for a stair lift. I even asked the landlord for a second banister as that would help a little with the stairs and he said unless we agree to a longer lease he’s unwilling to make any adaptations.

I told the council my midwife and health visitor advised me against declaring myself homeless until I fully recover from the c-section so I have no choice I think but to renew the lease for at least 6 months. But I just home this doesn’t mean my application for housing gets ignored or I have to start all over again.

OP posts:
SwayingInTime · 27/03/2025 09:44

What happens if you don't renew or sign anything but just continue to pay rent?

Snafoo · 27/03/2025 10:05

Can you appeal to your landlord's better nature and discuss going into a periodic tenancy?

Original poster
Ebonythoughts · 27/03/2025 13:00

SwayingInTime · 27/03/2025 09:44

What happens if you don't renew or sign anything but just continue to pay rent?

The landlord is saying he wants a decision by April because he’ll advertise it if we don’t renew

OP posts:
Original poster
Ebonythoughts · 27/03/2025 13:01

Snafoo · 27/03/2025 10:05

Can you appeal to your landlord's better nature and discuss going into a periodic tenancy?

I tried that and he said we can only renew for a minimum of a year and refused 6 months or a rolling contract

OP posts:
SwayingInTime · 27/03/2025 13:37

But if you are just in situ and paying rent and not leaving he can advertise but will have to go through the same process to evict as if you had stopped paying rent. I can't imagine that he will be bothered to do that!

BePlumSloth · 30/04/2025 14:22

Hello wondering if anyone can help me!

Currently got placed in interim BNB accodation yesterday and currently 17 weeks pregnant on my own. Does housing benefit payments go straight to my landlord? I’m not sure how they work. I’ve also applied for universals credit today as not working either. How long will I be in interim accommodation and will I be moved to temporary or stay here? I want to know how I can get something permanent for me and my baby.
Thankyou!! For your help everyone❤️

Myboyz910 · 30/04/2025 14:54

Ebonythoughts · 26/03/2025 16:48

Hi all,

I’m feeling really anxious and had a few panic attacks over the last few days. My daughter is 14 months and Im due a planned c-section with my second on the 2nd May. My issue is, we’ve been waiting for a council property for 20 months and I’m currently in a private property that isn’t suitable for my disability (the property has stair which are difficult for me. We rented this property because we moved to the city to be near family and it’s the only property we could afford near family in short notice. Anyway we’ve just about managed in the house for a year because my husband works hybrid and on his office days my sister comes over to help with taking my daughter up and down the stairs for me. The lease for this house ends in April and we really don’t want to renew it because I struggled so much over the past year in it but we can’t afford a private flat or bungalow in the area which is ideally what I need. I’ve contacted housing and they’ve asked me to declare myself homeless but I really don’t want to because it’s so close to my due date and i don’t want to be moving around after having surgery. My midwife and health visitor have also advised against it and said need someone stability to recover and get the support from family I need.

I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place because the landlord wants a decision on whether we’ll renew for a minimum of a year or leave, and housing have said if I renew I’m not technically homeless so they won’t help me so we are still so far on the waiting list that a house through bidding seems impossible at the moment.

I really don’t know what to do and no one seems to be able to give me some guidance either. I’ve contacted Shelter and they just said stay with family if you can but I can’t because my mum lives with my sister and there is no room for us so we have to rent out.

What would you do in this situation? Any advice would be really appreciated.

I dont know about other areas of the UK. But in England it doesn't work in the way you have been advised.

If you don't renew your tenancy it will automatically go on to a rolling contract meaning he can give you 2 months notice to leave at any point . Or you can give him one months notice if you want to leave. If he does not want to keep you on as a rolling contract then he needs to do a,section 21 and go through the eviction route which can take a long time.

The council could say you made yourself by not signing a new tenancy. And refuse to help you .

Have you had occupational therapy involved? Could they look at your home comfirm its not suitable and then go on the housing list via medical/disabilitys.

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