Moving on from break-up practically and financially

[louisejanep]

Hi,

I posted a long thread about coming out of an emotionally abusive relationship: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/3460960-Horrendous-night-tonight

Thanks to the support of all you lovely MN's I have took the courage of staying away, on my own and temporarily moving back with parents. I am just wondering if anybody has advice on finding housing.

I have just rang the council to say that I have left home so I am classed as 'homeless' although living with parents. They said I cant be classed as homeless until parents sign a legal document to say they are making me homeless. She said the best thing to do would be to look privatley. Has anyone got any experience of this after separating?

do you have children? how many/what ages?

I have a 3 year old daughter I’m working 25 hours per week and currently applying to start a PHD in feb

Well done for having the courage to get away.
I can only tell you what I did. I borrowed money from family for rent/deposit/vat/credit check/estate agent fees etc.

I searched for the smallest cheapest possible place that I could afford to run.
Perhaps for you this might be a one bedroom flat?
You need to check online for your entitlements. Tax credit/housing benefit and don't forget maintenance!
Maybe your parents would let you stay long enough to save up for the estate agent fees/deposits etc.
I can see from your posts that you are feeling a lot of guilt. You must find a way to stop doing this. You made the right decision.
As I can't drive I spent hours pushing a buggy, laden with pots and pans and bedding and so on and so on back and forth to the new place. I hired a man with a small van for beds and furniture.

So you went private too? Was there anything putting you off through the council? I think it’s the long wait putting me off. Yes my mum and dad very supportive. Did it take you long to get the new place? Thank you for your message.

It was the long wait put me off too and I was afraid of being miles away from my job.
I started looking online at lettings agents. Walked up and down a few streets to get a feel for the area, schools and shops.
Made a few viewings. The credit check wait was the hardest bit. When that went through it was fine.
Around 6 weeks I should think from starting to look to getting the keys.