help with a private rented house

[stephanie20]

I don't know if i'm posting in the right thread here but here goes...I am 21 weeks pregnant and still live at home where I share a room with my 18 year old sister, I have been signed on to the housing list and I am unemployed in reciept of job seekers allowance. I really need a house before the baby's born and have started looking at private rented houses as I'm getting nowhere with the council.

Seen one that I really like, its ideal because its close to my parents and it comes with everything...washing machine, cooker, 2 sofa's, a double bed and wardrobes. I also have bad credit history and would find it hard to get a guarantor but the landlord has assured me this is OK and he won't ask for a guarantor.

The rent is £81 a week (£350 a month) and the landlord wants three times that before I can move in plus admin costs. I have been saving up since I found out I was pregnant and have about £300 but there is no way I can afford what he is asking (over £1000).

Does anyone know if there is any help I can get? And do people think this is a better option then getting a council house? I know with a council house you don't get anything in it and this house seems too good to be true lol.

Thanks for any advice

 

[kirst1805]

Some councils offer a rent deposit scheme where they'll help you will the first months rent and deposit. When I did mine they paid half for me and then I paid them back monthly. Might be worth looking into.. Also they might have a list of private landlords who could help you out.

xxx

 

[kirst1805]

Or, depending on how long you've been on jobseekers you may qualify for a budgeting loan.

xxx

 

[stephanie20]

would i get any help with the first two months rent he wants or just the bond?

xx

 

[kirst1805]

If he wants around 1000, you may be able to get help with half.. This depends on your council though.

xx

 

[stephanie20]

that sounds okay i could save up the other half
xx

 

[pandaspot]

Another thing to ask your council is whether they use the dhp fund to help people with deposits. They probably will say no, but there are provisions to allow the dhp fund to assist people like yourselves but a lot of councils have opted out, as a lot have a bond scheme

You will need to contact the housing benefit department to ask this. You should also enquire into claiming housing benefit and council tax benefit once you have a move date.

You can apply hb and ctb 13 weeks prior to you being entitled

 

[StarBound]

Ask your council they should assist with deposit etc.
Housing benefit can be back paid

 

[Mummy2B21]

edit

 

[Pandora11]

I think with all the changes being made with council housing, it'll probably be no more secure than privately renting, but you need to be sure that your landlord is a fair person and will do the work they promise, and i presume that if there's admin fees you're going through an estate agents? Which is good because there's some one else to moan at if anything needs doing etc.

If you're able to rent privately, although you have a contract that can run out(which some people find as a prob) it also means that you can move if for any reason you wanted to at the end/renewal of tenancy, whereas if you have a council place you don't like it or the area, you're not a priority because they've housed you.

And having somewhere part/fully furnished is a great help and will give you time to save up for the things you need etc

Hope it works out

 

[stephanie20]

yeahh it is through an estate agent but I'm viewing it on tuesday and the landlord is taking me around the place, he already sounds fair to me because he doesn't want a guarantor even though i have bad credit but at least i'll be able to see what he is like.

and this house is practically furnished, think the only thing i'll need is a telly lol, and its right near my mums which is good, i just need to get the deposit sorted out if i like it, hope i can get some help

 

[Pandora11]

yeahh it is through an estate agent but I'm viewing it on tuesday and the landlord is taking me around the place, he already sounds fair to me because he doesn't want a guarantor even though i have bad credit but at least i'll be able to see what he is like.

and this house is practically furnished, think the only thing i'll need is a telly lol, and its right near my mums which is good, i just need to get the deposit sorted out if i like it, hope i can get some help

Good luck

 

[shellie]

Hope it all works out. xxx

 

[stephanie20]

thankyou! xx