Housing and Eviction

535mum

First of all thank you so much for this community. It is helping me a lot seeing there are other people who are in same boat as mine.
Sorry If I am asking in wrong thread. Admins please move my question to suitable thread. I will try my best to keep it short.
I have been diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis around two years ago and I had to leave my job in March because of severe joint pains and tiredness. I live in three bedroom house. My son who lives with me is my carer. I am on Universal credit, LCWRA and PIP lower rate. My son works part time because he is my carer. My daughter who doesn't live with us helps with the rent short fall. My daughter was living with us and moved out 2 years ago. We lived in this house for 12 years. 
Today my landlord told me he will be raising the rent in next renewal. My daughter will not be able to help with that shortfall. This Landlord has been so nice to us all these years and I am already paying him lesser than market. Because his mortgage is rising and he has no control over that increase. I believe he will serve me with Eviction notice when I will not be able to pay rent. I want to know what will happen after that? 
I don't have deposits or guaranters for private rent. and as I am not for working and son is working part time it will be hard for us to rent privately. Can someone please tell me what are my options with council?

dkb123

how old are you and have you made an application for council housing? due to disability, you may be entitled to supported housing, whatever, you need to get a caseworker so you can receive advice and support, are there any disability organisations in your area that can help

535mum

Thankyou for replying dkb123, I am 42. I have applied for locata and has been denied, They have given me band D, because of the size of the house I am living in. Can you please guide me where to look for caseworker? 

poppy123456

Firstly does your UC include help with the rent? I know you said your daughter helps with the rent shortfall but this doesn't mean your UC includes help with the rent.

Have you looked into applying for a Discretionary housing Payment to help with the shortfall? (DHP) You will need to apply through your Local Authority and not to UC. If awarded it's only paid for a short period of time before you need to reapply and it's not guaranteed to be awarded. See link. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments

As you live with your son then i'm not sure if supported housing would be an option. It would be different if you lived alone.

For social/council housing i don't know if a higher band would be given based on your house being too big.

I live in a privately rented house and applied for social hosuing about 10 months ago. My house is no longer suitable for my needs because of my health conditions. I referred myself for a needs assessment and from there it was determined that i needed a new bathroom for a walk in shower, a stairlift and some other things. 

My landlord refused to allow those adaptions to be put into place. I was sent a medical application by my local Authority for social housing and my Occupational Therapist sent her reports to them. After that i was given medical priority housing instead of band 4. I'm still waiting for a suitable property to become available so i can place some bids.

You can go down the medical route for social housing but it depends on how suitable your current house is for your needs. For this you need to contact your local Authority to ask for a medical form. You can also refer yourself for a needs assessment. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/help-from-social-services-and-charities/getting-a-needs-assessment/

For eviction it's not a quick or easy process so it's not going to happen over night. You can also contact shelter for further advice. https://www.shelter.org.uk/

Jimm_Alumni

HI @535mum, welcome back to our community. I'm sorry to hear you're going through this tough situation. I assume you've already tried to negotiate with your landlord but, as you say, they have no option due to mortgage increase. I would closely follow the advice Poppy has laid out above, they've very knowledgeable about the benefits system.

Also, have you used a Benefits Calculator to see if there's anything else you could be entitled to?

I would also perhaps see if you can get in contact with your local citizen's advice. Not only can they help you with getting council housing, they should be able to advise and support you regarding your current property and inform you about evictions if that is something you're worried about.

535mum

poppy123456 said:

Firstly does your UC include help with the rent? I know you said your daughter helps with the rent shortfall but this doesn't mean your UC includes help with the rent.

Have you looked into applying for a Discretionary housing Payment to help with the shortfall? (DHP) You will need to apply through your Local Authority and not to UC. If awarded it's only paid for a short period of time before you need to reapply and it's not guaranteed to be awarded. See link. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments

As you live with your son then i'm not sure if supported housing would be an option. It would be different if you lived alone.

For social/council housing i don't know if a higher band would be given based on your house being too big.

I live in a privately rented house and applied for social hosuing about 10 months ago. My house is no longer suitable for my needs because of my health conditions. I referred myself for a needs assessment and from there it was determined that i needed a new bathroom for a walk in shower, a stairlift and some other things. 

My landlord refused to allow those adaptions to be put into place. I was sent a medical application by my local Authority for social housing and my Occupational Therapist sent her reports to them. After that i was given medical priority housing instead of band 4. I'm still waiting for a suitable property to become available so i can place some bids.

You can go down the medical route for social housing but it depends on how suitable your current house is for your needs. For this you need to contact your local Authority to ask for a medical form. You can also refer yourself for a needs assessment. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/help-from-social-services-and-charities/getting-a-needs-assessment/

For eviction it's not a quick or easy process so it's not going to happen over night. You can also contact shelter for further advice. https://www.shelter.org.uk/

Thank you so much for this detailed reply Poppy. I am already getting help with rent as Universal credit. I have received discretionary payment before as well last year and I am not sure If I will get it again plus it will be for short period. You are right supported housing would not be an option because my son lives with me. Thank you for sharing the medical forms. I will surely look into them because I am also struggling with stairs and bath tub with my health condition since 4/5 months now. I know now where to come when I have any question in my mind. Thanks again. God bless you.