Being evicted with ASD son

[Tiredmummyneedswineandsleep]

Have found out that the property we live in is being sold. They said they will give me 2 months notice soon. It's a private rented property. My son is 4 almost 5 and attends a specialist ASD unit. I work part time and don't drive. I literally get to and from work by the skin of my teeth as Ds is taken to school via taxi, I walk to work, 20 mins away.
Have looked around at other private rentals but they're all £100 more than what we pay now. Our house is probably cheap as they haven't maintained it well etc...
Also worried as if I end upon private rented again it will end up being sold agan, this is the 3rd time it's happened since Ds has been born. Have been on the council website to bid every week on other properties but am in lowest band so never get anywhere.
Do you that we will be higher priority due to him having ASD? He gets higher rate care DLA, has no understanding of danger, doesn't sleep etc... He has been statements since he was 3 as he had to have 1:1 at per school as they couldn't manage him otherwise. I have no one to help me with agency fees if going private as parents helped in past but are not in a position to do so. I just want a safe, secure home for us. Ds doesn't do change well. I. So worried. I ended up suffering nervous exhaustion last year and was very ill with it. Incan see myself ending up in the same boat again. Can't sleep, constant headache.

If anyone can offer any advice I'd be very grateful,

Many thanks.

Hi Tired

Sorry - no experience of rented accommodaion - but I'm probably the last person awake this evening so someone will probably come along tomorrow.

I would have thought that HR DLA would give you some priority/immediacy?

Perhaps it's worth getting SS on board?

in England you will be considered as homeless/ threatened with homeless if you have to leave your property within 28 days (in Scotland I think it is 2 months) . When this happens the local authority have a duty to help you ( not saying what you will get but they do have to help you as you will be in priority need as you are homeless and your son is disabled and possible also your health will be taken into account. Go now to the local Citizens Advice or Contact Shelter See their website and they will help you and inform you of your next steps. You can also get information from CAB website, google adviceguide and check the housing section for advice on options if you are homeless. Remember you don't have to be actually homeless to get help you just have to be threatened with homelessness which is having to leave property in 28 days in England. Good luck and I hope you come out of this with better and more secure accommodation.

Hi :)

What area are you in as this may affect your options?

We were in a similar position a few years ago, out landlord lost our flat in his divorce settlement and we were given 3 months to move out with no money for a deposit and no where to go just before christmas!

We managed to do something called the rent deposit scheme through the council - bascially they pay your deposit and first month's rent for you so you can more somewhere private without having to pay any fees upfront.

If you are on the council list you should be given extra 'points' on your application because of your DS's additional needs, especially if he gets high rate of DLA, but check with the council as this may have changed.

If you are made homeless they will house you but it might be 'temporary accomodation' like a hostel to start with, then you should (in theory) jump up near the top of the list.

Also, when you get given your notice, if you haven't found anywhere to go by the time they want you out don't leave! If you leave of your own accord (as opposed to being 'removed' from the property) the council will not help you because they deem that you have made yourself 'voluntarily homeless' if you do. Its a really stupid system but when we were going through it they said we had to wait until the landlord had a court order to force us out until we could leave - basically we had to stay there until we had no other choice.

Its a horrible thing to have to go though and I wish you luck trying to find somewhere else :)

*FWIW, I'm no expert on these things, just going with previous experience, hope I am in some way helpful!

Also do you get housing benefit as if you do then you can get an extra allowance on the rates they allow as you get DLA.

Thanks, not contacted the housing dept yet as I know they'll do buggar all without notice to leave property. Feel like I'm in limbo.
Paeds have agreed to write letter, am awaiting meetings with OT and social services. I just hope and pray the council will listen.