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pix1
Average Member
689 Posts |
 Posted - 10 March 2009 : 17:10:08
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Is it normally the case that you have to find 6 months advance rent when you rent a private rental following bankruptcy?
Also, when you get repossessed as part of a bankruptcy is there much chance that the local authority will re-house you if you have a small child? |
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Jane.l
Average Member
511 Posts |
Posted - 10 March 2009 : 18:07:39
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We got a private rented house before going bankrupt whilst our credit was still good enough to pass the credit check. Once in that house, I immediately applied for a council house, we have 3 children, but only one of those is under 16, the other 2 are older and at college. We were honest about our situation (house being repossessed) and we were put on the waiting list. We were on it about 18 months and I wrote again to the council saying we were desperate for a secure home, blah, blah, blah and a lovely housing officer came round and re-assessed us again and we got some extra medical points and by chance a lovely 3 bed semi, newly renovated, had just become available and we got it! Best news we had in a long time, we have been here 6 months now and it really feels like home! It is a lifetime tenancy and it is passed onto our children when we die, which is great. (just like your own home but with no upkeep costs) 
Every area is different though and I think we have been VERY lucky indeed, my advice is to keep on at them, even if it means making a pest of yourself  |
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pix1
Average Member
689 Posts |
Posted - 10 March 2009 : 18:25:05
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Thanks Jane.
We did not go on the list in the area where our house was repossessed as it was in London and we wanted to move down to Devon for a better life (moved 10 months ago). We are living with a relative now and are a couple with a 5 year old girl and my wife has a 9 year old son living abroad who we want to join us so we can be a family. It is a two bedroom flat and we are crammed into one bedroom.
What do you think? If we go on the local housing list will we have any chance? I know it depends on the area.
May be you can advise: do they go through where you have listed as previous addresses with a fine toothcomB
Also, did they ask for eveidence of your bankruptcy and repossession?
I would appreciate it if you can give me some useful advice. We are scared of a private rent because we think we might need to find 6 months advance rent. aarrgghh.
P.S. I now know why you are not too bothered about the mortgage company not updating your credit file ;) |
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pix1
Average Member
689 Posts |
Posted - 10 March 2009 : 18:34:05
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oh, one other thing thanks Jane,
I know you initially get placed on the housing list then they put you into a band of priority. What I wondered was that when they actually offer you a place do you then have to be minutely investigated and fill out masses of forms? You see, we want to go on the list but if I went off to another area looking for work (currently unemployed) would they then say tough luck one of you wasn't here for the whole of the time you were on the list so we can't find you a place? |
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Jane.l
Average Member
511 Posts |
Posted - 10 March 2009 : 18:57:07
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I only filled in the first initial application form, and when I wrote to the council, they came to see me and said they would try and put us forward for the additional medical points and they would ring me on the Friday, this was on a Wednesday. The housing officer rang me and just said, "I will be round in an hour with some keys for you" and that was it! Could not believe it, we went with her for a quick look around the house, accepted it straightaway and she left the keys with us so we could get carpets and curtains fitted. We just went to the council offices the next week to sign the formal tenancy agreement and that was IT, so no more checks or form filling, we could not believe how fast and easy it was. They did not even question the bankruptcy or repossession or ask to see any documents!
In my area, most of the points we were awarded were because we have lived here all our life so as you are in a "new" area, I am not sure how many points you would get. Another way of getting more points is overcrowding, so you should get some for that, especially if your wife's son was living with you, (it would be a pain for a while but the more overcrowded, the better from a housing point of view)
maybe you could ring the council and ask for their policy in that area so you know what you are up against. |
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pix1
Average Member
689 Posts |
Posted - 10 March 2009 : 19:46:09
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Thanks Jane.
Yes, we should get good points for the overcrowding aspect. It would be difficult, though, to get my wife's son over right now. We are listing him on the form as a dependent living abroad who we want to come here.
I personally used to live in this area before (from 1984-90 and 1993-95 and 1997-99) but my wife is from abroad and so didn't. Maybe I can mention I used to live here but the form asks for addresses over the last 10 years.
What sort of things can you get medical points for? I get asthma. Would that count? I suppose not. |
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Jane.l
Average Member
511 Posts |
Posted - 11 March 2009 : 08:17:46
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| stress/anxiety/depresion, I am on medication for this (caused by all the debt and losing our house, etc) I told the council they could write to my dr to prove it, but they said they did not do that anymore and just took my word for it |
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pix1
Average Member
689 Posts |
Posted - 12 March 2009 : 11:38:41
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| thanks jane and i wish you the best for a good recovery from all this. |
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Jane.l
Average Member
511 Posts |
Posted - 12 March 2009 : 12:00:06
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| thanx, I am now over the worst of it all, although I do get annoyed when people (including a certain family member ) say that bankruptcy is the "easy" way out, it most certainly is not. |
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jwmc77
Junior Member
United Kingdom
195 Posts |
Posted - 12 March 2009 : 17:13:34
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i have asked my local council about houseing and they informed me that they dont give any special treatment to bankrupts even with children ( i have 3 ) infact they wont allow you to go on the housing list until our house has been sold ( by the bank ) this could take months . i also spoke to local letting agencies about the 6 months deposit they said its all down to the individual lanlord .
MAC |
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jurgenpie
Starting Member
United Kingdom
30 Posts |
Posted - 12 March 2009 : 19:39:55
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I gave my house up for voluntary reposession in July 2008 on advice from OR but was accepted on Council list in April 2008 and I now have a council flat which I got in October, in Nottingham it goes on banding I was graded as band 4 general needs but was lucky didn't have to wait long.
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Topic |
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Renting after bankruptcy
