Please talk me out of renting this house...

[Purplebluebird]

I found a house that seems really nice, and a great option for us. The problem is, it would be all our money to move, pay deposit and first month's rent. We would probably not get housing benefit straight away either, so might be a struggle to pay the rent next month, impossible to know how quickly we get it. I know it would be a bad idea, we should stay put and save some more, but I really like this house... It's a good size, and price is as expected. :(

Hb should be within a couple of weeks - - go for it!!!

Do you automatically get housing benefit if you rent a property beyond your means??

@Floggingmolly we have housing benefit where we live now, and there would be no reason for us not to receive it at the next place. It's not bigger than we are "entitled" to (2 bedrooms) (exactly same size as here, but different town where it would be possible for me to find work), and it's at an average price, so we'd get a little bit of a top up sum. My other half works, whereas I'm ill right now, and can't work yet.

If you aren't going to be able to pay that first rent, then it is risky. What if the landlord starts the eviction process and then you will have two lots of moving costs. I'd wait. Surely there will be other houses.

regardless of whether the landlord accepts hb, doesn't sound like you can actually afford the place. What about council tax and bills?

We can afford the place, it's not much more expensive than where we have been for the last 1,5 years :)
It's paying the deposit and the agency fees of £600 that is the struggle! Hopefully we would get our old deposit back, but there is no guarantee.

Ah, right. Massive agency fees , London?

I would talk about deposit protection but the mn landlord haters chuck the toys when it is mentioned so I won't.

Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude, Purple, it just sounded as if you were applying for the first time because your rent had increased...

That's okay @Floggingmolly - we have been getting housing benefit for 1,5 years due to me not being able to work (first due to childcare cost, now due to my health). It would be reasonable to think we will still get housing benefit when moving to the neighbouring town.

We live in the South East @specialsubject so it's very expensive! An hour from London in a reasonably nice area. We thought about moving, but all our friends and family are here, and it's good to have a support system around you. I'd love to hear about deposit protection though?

We are on very good terms with our landlady, and have looked after the flat, so there is no reason as such to think we would not get it back. Always paid rent on time and never caused any issues. Also given her time to sort out improvements and repairs, whilst we live here (issues that were present since before we moved in).

Oh yes, south-east agents. Their greed is going to drag everyone else down. My tenant paid £200 for referencing etc. I can't believe there is more work involved depending on location.

just check your deposit is in a scheme. If it is, then there is arbitration to ensure that you don't get charged wrongly, and it it isn't, the landlord has broken the law and you can sue his sorry arse.

but it doesn't look like it will be an issue from what you say.

on a different note - if you want long term check that the new place is a buy to let, not a landlord's previous home that they may wish to return to.

@specialsubject thank you! I do think our deposit is in a scheme, at least that's what it sounds like on our tenancy agreement. Can't believe why they will charge such insane fees for the work. I could live with £200, but when it's £600, it makes it a massively difficult thing to move house. I will make sure that there won't be a landlord wanting to move back in, thank you for the tip!

The agency hasn't phoned me back after requesting to speak to someone, so I'm going to take that as a sign it's not for us.