How do people unable to work find somewhere to live?!

Blossom22

Hello all,

I am facing imminent homelessness as I cannot get anyone to rent to me as I am currently unable to work. Unfortunately I don’t have a guarantor either. No one will even reply to me about somewhere by myself. I have a friend who earns a good salary (50k) who has said they would be happy for us to find somewhere together, but because I am unemployed they reject or ignore us. I have applied to the council for housing of course but the waiting lists are years long even for band A applicants. 

There has to be a way though surely, there have to be landlords out there who would rent to me but how do I find them? What do other people do?

Rosie_Scope

Really sorry you're going through this @Blossom22. It's really tough finding a house when you're not employed, there's still so much discrimination around. I'm sure you've already tried this, but are there any landlords in your area on OpenRent? Sometimes independent landlords can be slightly more understanding if you can explain your circumstances to them and show you're able to pay. But I know that's still pretty rare.

Could you be a little sneaky about it and have your friend lead the application and only mention the fact that you're not working once things have moved forwards, or once you've spoken to the landlord and explained your circumstances? 

If you haven't already tried it, Crisis have a help to rent database that could be worth a look to see if there are any schemes that could help you.

Have you got somewhere safe to stay if you are made homeless over the next couple of weeks? 

OverlyAnxious

Once you are homeless, the council have a duty of care to find you temporary accommodation.  You should also get bumped up the priority list for council housing.

Unfortunately they can't start that process until you are actually homeless.  Which is too late in my opinion, but that's the way it works.

I have also been unable to find any private landlord willing to accept me since being on benefits.  Although I do see properties on the Housing Association list that I am allowed to bid on most weeks.  They are not suitable for me (mostly upstairs flats) however, they would be better than being homeless if that was the situation I found myself in.

poppy123456

What is the reason why you are soon going to be made homeless? Do you currently have your own home or live with parents?