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Hi Everyone,
I have been privately renting a property for the last 4.5 years.
I am a single Mum of a 5 year old son with Special needs. The council have been paying the majority of my rent, but for the first few years of my tenancy there was a shortfall of £50 per month that I rarely afforded to pay, plus on occasions (Bring brutally honest) I didn't paid the rent at all with the housing benefit, because I spent it on other things for my son, this was before I was receiving DLA for him, so the arrears did get a bit out of hand.
In September 2016 my Mum spoke to my landlord and an agreement was made to pay the rent, plus an additional £100 per month from the arrears.
I haven't always managed to pay that £100 per month. And so my arrears are not getting any better.
My landlord has just put the rent up by another £50 per month, starting in April, which is going to make matters even worse. I am currently paying the rent, but I am not paying off the arrears currently, and I won't be able to afford the £50 increase. So the arrears are going to get worse.
I don't know if it's relevant or not, but he is not a particularly good landlord either, he hasn't ever had my boiler serviced. The cold tap in my bath isn't little more than a dribble, and has been that way for 2 years, he knows about it, but he won't fix it. My front door leaks the rain in, and doesn't fit properly in the frame. I don't feel it's safe, again he knows about this but he won't get it fixed.
I have spoken to the council about a possible council properly, this would be a lot cheaper and housing benefit would cover the entire cost of my rent. The council are going to ask my landlord for a reference and I am so worried that he is going to mention my arrears to the council and this will really damage my chances of getting a council house for myself and my son.
I'm feeling pretty vulnerable at the moment and I don't really know what to do. Any advice would be great. Thank you.
I have been privately renting a property for the last 4.5 years.
I am a single Mum of a 5 year old son with Special needs. The council have been paying the majority of my rent, but for the first few years of my tenancy there was a shortfall of £50 per month that I rarely afforded to pay, plus on occasions (Bring brutally honest) I didn't paid the rent at all with the housing benefit, because I spent it on other things for my son, this was before I was receiving DLA for him, so the arrears did get a bit out of hand.
In September 2016 my Mum spoke to my landlord and an agreement was made to pay the rent, plus an additional £100 per month from the arrears.
I haven't always managed to pay that £100 per month. And so my arrears are not getting any better.
My landlord has just put the rent up by another £50 per month, starting in April, which is going to make matters even worse. I am currently paying the rent, but I am not paying off the arrears currently, and I won't be able to afford the £50 increase. So the arrears are going to get worse.
I don't know if it's relevant or not, but he is not a particularly good landlord either, he hasn't ever had my boiler serviced. The cold tap in my bath isn't little more than a dribble, and has been that way for 2 years, he knows about it, but he won't fix it. My front door leaks the rain in, and doesn't fit properly in the frame. I don't feel it's safe, again he knows about this but he won't get it fixed.
I have spoken to the council about a possible council properly, this would be a lot cheaper and housing benefit would cover the entire cost of my rent. The council are going to ask my landlord for a reference and I am so worried that he is going to mention my arrears to the council and this will really damage my chances of getting a council house for myself and my son.
I'm feeling pretty vulnerable at the moment and I don't really know what to do. Any advice would be great. Thank you.
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