Hi guys. So my situation. I fled domestic violence in June this year with my two children. We are staying at a friends house so only temporary as they want to put the house up for sale. Am on local council housing 179 week wait on average for a two bed with them but am bidding weekly for properties. Have been religiously looking everyday for private rented properties and either I don’t get on response back or when I do I’m being told I won’t pass reference check and I just really don’t know what to do about it. I work but I don’t have anyone who earns what landlords are asking for a guarantor. I can’t pay 6 months rent up front the only other option is emergency accommodation through the council which I’ve been told is a travelogue hotel miles from where we are meaning I would have to give up my job, change daughters school and basically give up everything. How can I be more successful finding a home to rent. My credit score is good. I work. Any help and advice would be appreciated
Most councils have a scheme whereby they will pay any deposit required for a private rental and will pay any removal costs, although your situation may not require this.
See if the council in your area has a Housing Department and attend in person if you can, often easier to communicate face to face.
You could also call Shelter or the CAB for advice or any domestic violence charities.
If your benefits and any wages still fall short of a private rent, there is a Social Discretionary Fund which you could apply to via the Council.
Ms T
But obviously still hard to find a private rental.
You don’t mention your UC housing status, how much can you get? And roughly where you live?
Hi
I receive universal credit and would be entitled to housing element of it however as the house we are staying in is temporary I m not on the mortgage and none of the bills are in my name so cannot claim the housing element even though I am paying towards living here. I live in Birmingham currently but am looking in and around Solihull West Midlands
Thanks
Hi
I made an application to local council in May and was classed as homeless. I am still waiting to see if the council will take responsibility to house me and have been told I have to wait a further 90 days. I have involvement from women’s aid , children’s services and the police are involved also. The council have told me I am only entitled to a two bed as the two children can share however my eldest is 15 this year and little one is 3 so I would not likely give the children the bedroom and me sleep in the living room hence why renting would be better as I could chose a 3 bed so we all get a room.
I am aware the council will help with deposit however properties are going that quick I don’t know if landlord would be willing to hold or wait for this to be processed i can’t even get past the reference check at the minute or get response back from estate agents despite enquiring about several properties per week. I don’t know how to make myself more appealing to landlords given my current situation
All I can suggest is you need to tell people clearly how much UC housing you can get as this is basically the money that will go to the Landlord. If you ever are asked for your income, etc you need to add the 3 parts meaning UC, UC housing plus pay from work and also other benefits like child benefit. A lot of tenants don’t do this and end up underselling themselves.