Housing Dilemma

[bluesmile]

Hello,

I am currently homeless sleeping on my mum's settee.

After my husband hit me whilst I was 9 months pregnant I left the flat which we were both living in. As I have now had my baby things are getting a bit cramped here. He has refused to leave the flat even though it's only rented. I have applied for a council house but have been told that it will take 5-8 years before one becomes available. I have also tried letting agents but have been told that because the rent will be paid by housing benefit then there insurers don't allow them to take on anyone which is on benefits.

Private landlords also seem to be clamping down on people who are on benefits, or going through agents, thus cutting off many avenues to me.

Just wondered if anyone had been in a similar situation and what they did, (apart from being patient)?

Also if there is any landlords with property in the Cumbria or Lancashire area on this website please do get in touch. As I am not your typical doley tennant.

Thanks very much,

Amy

[sandbach99]

See a solicitor quickly they will give you your rights,  he maybe be evicted from the flat and the tenancy given to you. See the Citizens advice Bureau people they may have a list of housing associations which take people in your circumstances.

Check with the council that you have all the points you are entitled to to get a property, if you saw the council before you had your baby  have you told them about the birth?, you get more points with a child than just being pregnant.  A solicitor will tell you if a letter from your doctor would help, or a letter from your mum explaining why you can no longer  live there.

Before you take any rental property check with the council that they will pay all the rent and not just some of it.

Good luck keep pestering the council etc you will get there.

[lindapinda]

Hi Amy,I couldn't add anything more to sandbach's excellent advice,but I just thought I'd wish you luck with getting a flat or house.You were very brave and strong to take the step of leaving your husband,and I really do hope that you and your baby have lots of good times ahead! Let us know how things go! xxx

[mimififi]

Hi amy, I really feel for you.  I had a similar thing happen to me.  It is a very long story with which I won't bore you, but I ended up having to go to the council offices with child and practically beg to be rehoused.  They sent someone round to where I was staying and agreed that it was too cramped and told me I would be on the list and that it would take at least a year.  Anyway,  I was actually housed in 4 weeks.  You might find that you are housed sooner than that, but just keep perstering them, don't fill in forms or phone, go down to the council offices and speak to someone in housing personally and really pour out your heart.  If you are completely homeless, i.e, you are asked to leave where you are staying, you may be housed quicker as well.  (Obviously, I would not advocating this if it were not true as it is true for some people and so it is a bit naughty to claim homelessness in this nature if it is not quite true.) 

Also, just keep trying for a private rent, but the others are right, sometimes the council only pay for some of it and not all of it.  There is a threshhold I believe.

Good luck, I really truly feel for you.  All my love MimiXX

[Solarjunkie]

Could these people give you some advice?

http://www.womensaid.org.uk

Best of luck.

[Bobble17]

Hi, all the advice given so far is really good, I just wanted to concur with it really.  Your local council does have a duty to house you, clearly living on your mum's sofa with your baby is completely unacceptable and the council cannot allow that to continue.  Go and see the council again (with baby if possible), take a letter from your mum saying why you can't stay there, and definitely call Women's Aid.  You really do need to pester the council.

I really feel for you, I hope things settle down for you soon and you can enjoy your baby.  Let us know how you get on.

[roverkim]

type in houses for rent and you can put the place you want and it will search for you... good luck

[homedeeth]

Good luck