2 months to vacate home, told today, related questions
Obviously I've registered with my local authority, filled out the online homeless form,contacted who I need to. My privately rented house was sold. New landlord managed to get this house repossessed within a year of buying it. First I knew about it was having to prove my right to stay by Receiver. Took 6 months, but they accepted my right to stay. Rent stayed the same thank God.
Had a visit from a new falls prevention group regarding Husband; designed to help out folks to stay safe at home and provide help when needed. Three weeks ago. Decided we needed to get out of this house and finally go into a one bed flat. Private sector outrageous rents, plus we don't have a guarantor.
So I registered with our local social housing "catch all" place. They basically decide which band you're in. Expected to have a few months to find somewhere, as you do. Applied for 1 housing association, 1 specific complex. Anchor Housing. They did not need me to be registered with local social housing officialdom to go on the list, (which I was waiting for as it takes 2 weeks to be processed). So am on list already for there, 2 couples are ahead of me.
Today, had appointment to go on list for another, Housing 21, over 55s complex. Viewed a one bed flat that was under offer (manager said let's have a look then you can see the layout of the place, there's nobody in, so no harm, it was promised but hey, have a gander). Loved the place, she did the form online, longish waiting list but well, we'll wait and hope.
Literally get home, and I go into my emails so I can send the manager the name of my landlord, address etc which she needed for the form, and I didn't know earlier on when we were there. She left it blank and put the application through anyway, but I thought, get it done, have some lunch.
Logged into emails, there was an email from the Receiver saying sorry about this but you've got 2 months to get out, from today, the letter's in the post.
Talk about a string of coincidences. Blown my mind!
I am going down to the council first thing to make sure they put me in band 1 (as the guy from local council said they would, but time is crucial so must make sure they alter the status of the banding quickly).
I have questions you good people might know the answers to in the meantime. Here goes.
- Husband and I are still on legacy benefits. If we can find a home within the boundary of our local authority will this trigger universal credit, or do they accept you have had no choice but to move, quickly, and you can just deal with the housing benefit/council tax as usual?
- Is it the case that if the local authority can't find anything at all for us we can move out of the local authority boundary; rent privately OR by some miracle find a housing association property and not have to claim UC?
- Is there anything more complex about it; I thought if you were under threat of being homeless you could move to any area into private or housing association without triggering UC? I know one landlord just over the boundary who'd take us without a guarantor (same people that sold this place, but it's not their fault the new owner messed up!) but really really do not want to deal with UC until I have to. Plus more unsuitable housing with stairs Husband can't deal with and more rooms than we need, plus the extra in rentβ¦..
It's a lot; I've tried to be as clear as possible. Thanks for reading. Any advice relating to all this welcome. Forgive the wordiness, I tried to be precise!!
Comments
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1/ If you move within the same local Authority you would not need to claim UC for help with your rent. It would just be a change of address for housing benefit and this would continue.
2/ No, if you move out of your current local Authority then you would need to claim UC for help with your rent. Your current legacy benefits will then end 2 weeks later.
3/ No, your thoughts are not correct here, unless you're living in either temporary or supported housing and then housing benefit can continue. For anything else a move to a different LA means a claim for UC for help with your rent.
To be clear, was it the Section 21 that you received through email? If so then a S21 does not mean you have to move out of your current home within 2 months. The only one that can evict you is a court. If you move out by that date and it's not a court order then you could be treated as making yourself intentionally homeless and then your LA could refuse to help you.
If it is the S21 then please make sure it's valid.
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Thank you so much. Will find out about the section 21.
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The section 21 is solid. Local authority helping find somewhere. Spoke to lady about Legal Aid. I qualify but not sure if it's needed, or am I being naive?
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You don't need legal aid to deal with a Section 21.
It is the landlord who will need to apply to the court for possession of the property.
The judge would then issue an order for you to leave.
A solicitor etc is not needed your side.
Please see the Shelter guide and familiarise yourself with the process.
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Please remember the advice that I gave, a S21 does not mean you need to move out by that date. The only one's that can evict you is the courts.
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I will. Best advice ever!π
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Just for closure, we've been offered a 2 bed sheltered flat. The relief is insane. Bit pricey but welcome nonetheless. Can I thank you all for your help and for anyone in a similar position don't lose hope. I'd advise ANYONE who is renting, no matter how secure you think you are, to register with your local authority for housing as a just in case, because if this happens to you, at least your details are already in the system. You might think you're above it, or you'd never live in a smaller place but believe me if you're ever facing this, you'll be glad you did it. It takes at least a couple of weeks for them to sort out your details and in a Section 21 situation time is crucial. Do it today, people! Good luck to all x
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@TheCatSays I am SO pleased for yous. Really very good news!! Had read your thread and this update . You're so right about people going on list. May I add that also, anyone who owns but struggling, especially with health issues should also. I had a cottage (owned), couldn't get upstairs for the last year/16 mths, luckily bathroom was downstairs and slept on settee. I asked for assessment which was done by occupational therapist and went on HA list in Dec 2019. Caught covid 3 times in nursing job, very ill Nov 2020 and health shot to pieces since, mobility intestines and lungs mainly. Got offered HA bungalow in July 2022, snatched their hand off. I was very lucky even though had to sell cottage at a near loss/no profit (auction) but roof over my head and no sleeping on a settee since. Very best wishes for you with your move, Im delighted for you x π
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That's great news @TheCatSays, glad you could get something sorted π
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that's great news that you are sorted I was getting worried about you there
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