Hi my name is Nikki, I’ve been looking since April, I’ve struggled this time to find a rental since my circumstances has changed due to sudden health issues, I’ve gone from having my own business which I still have to end of 2024 on universal credit and pip. But I don’t understand why because now I get steady payments 4,150 per month and 1,500 for rent per month
Where is this? Anywhere ?
Hard to say why you’ve been unsuccessful but
Your rent is more than 30% of gross income which is a commonly used threshold for affordability. Since you started paying for your current place market rents will have gone up. Even prior to going on to UC you will have been seen as a higher risk as a self employed than an employed person- as a self employed you have less protection against ill health.
Any future increase in benefits is unlikely to keep pace with inflation which make you a risk of falling into arrears-
Just under half of those on UC are in arrears, and their arrears tend to be worse
Check out the LLA allowance properties in your area.
Source: GOV.UK Search for Local Housing Allowance rates by postcode or local authority : DirectGov - LHA Rates
If the rent asked is above the LLA allowance a landlord is rightly going to query how you’ll make up the shortfall
All that said people on UC do manage to find places to rent to, just persist. If you can show a history of paying on time and if possible a guarantor, you’ll get there
Good luck with your future search