Moving into private rental?

Sorry above link failed..try this one.

www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjW3M6PxpTyAhXKPsAKHf-3AAIQFjAIegQIBRAD&url=https%3A%2F%2Fnew.fylde.gov.uk%2Fresident%2Fhousing%2Faffordable-housing%2F&usg=AOvVaw233NPW1h9xYSYEZENF7NLT

There are are number of housing associations on the Fylde, here is just one link, I suggest you write to all of them.

www.google.co.uk/url?
sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjW3M6PxpTyAhXKPsAKHf-3AAIQFjAJegQIIhAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myhomechoicefyldecoast.co.uk%2F%3FUseFullSite%3D1&usg=AOvVaw0tjVYVgSbW19YapouDTc3e

Please think twice, there are so many Landlords who won’t accept tenants on Benefits, also who won’t accept 1 pet, let alone 2.
DD has had 3 rentals, 2 of them were sold and when her leases came up for renewal she had to leave, the house she is in at the moment, thankfully, accepted her little dog, but the owner lives abroad and at any time could decide he wants to come home.
I dread to think what kind of social housing she would be offered where we live, if indeed she was eligible.
If you had to move and your rental ended and you had to leave your preferred area, where would you have to move to if it was local authority housing ? Probably not by the sea where you wanted to be.
If you didn’t have pets and could afford the deposits and moving costs ( setting up your Broadband isn’t free) I would say go for it, it’s costly to keep moving, but you could go wherever you pleased, but with dogs it isn’t so easy.
Good luck though

I can't advise but can say that 15 years ago, after my divorce, I decided to rent, sold my cottage and gave my children their inheritance. I have lived in many different types of flats/houses in various parts of the country and have loved it. I like not having the responsibility of replacing boilers or roof tiles. I haven't had any difficult landlords nor been asked to move on. I found I could trust my instinct when it came to choosing a place to live in. (Except for the time I decided sheltered housing would be wise, and I hated it - too restrictive.) I am an adventurer though, so maybe that comes into it. I'm 68, by the way. All the best on your quest, and don't forget to pray about it all!

Shandy57- oh what a shame. The CofE Pensions Board absolutely will house all retiring clergy, either in a rental like me or, if they have more income than I did, in shared ownership. It's not compulsory but it is definitely available.

think carefully, and research deeply.
if you took a private rental and were then evicted, you may find that any social housing would be either temporary hostel style, or a dump in a dire district. and if you decline the offer, the council has discharged its duty, and you are on your own again.

Landlords who allow pets are in the minority. Some are constrained by the terms of their mortgages, others know the cost of allowing animals in their property. In addition a landlord may require to sell the property at any time.
For these reasons I feel you would be wise to hold onto the security you have at the moment.

I agree with those who say hang on to your secure tenancy, you don't want to find yourself having to move because the owner is selling, for example. Maybe try an online swap? There must be other people in your position who perhaps need to move to be nearer family or something, it would keep you with the same landlord. Good luck!

Good luck Ailidh.

My BIL, who was estranged from my late husband for a reason my husband never knew sadly, did get in contact when he died and we 'friended' each other on Facebook but he never contacts me. He is a vicar, married with a child, and living in church accommodation, retiring in a few years.

I went onto his page to message him with my new address recently and I don't think he knows how to use Facebook or how public it is. He'd actually replied to a friend's comment on his page that 'he can't wait for the inlaws to pop their clogs' so they can buy a house. Sad after a lifetime of commitment he feels so anxious about housing in his retirement he makes a dreadful comment like this.

Think very carefully before you give up your security. It is worth its weight in much more than gold!

I too rent a bungalow through the C of E Pensions Board (not by the seaside though!), I think they will advise on other providers of secure housing for older people. I've been here for 12 years now, and would not move except to somewhere similar, so would echo the comments about not moving out of a secure tenancy to somewhere that might mean you need to keep on moving. Some retired clergy do not keep up links with the diocese or similar, and I'm one of them, but even for those who do, there doesn't seem to be much support. Whatever you decide from all the good advice given here, it sounds as if you are going to have an adventure, and I hope it works out well.

All good points and questions, thank you.

The house I rent is through the Church of England Pensions Board. They have a commitment to house retiring clergy, and to re-house retired clergy whose house is no longer suitable for their physical needs. Retired clergy who just want to move are right at the bottom of their priorities. Understandably.

Yes, it would be a huge thing to do, to move out of a contract where, short of growing cannabis in the greenhouse and having orgies in the summerhouse, it's impossible to be thrown out. For the avoidance of doubt, I have neither greenhouse nor summerhouse.

It hadn't occurred to me to ask them for advice about moving to other providers, although my first move was to ask if they had anything on their books that they were desperate to let. Ha.

Next week, when I get my house back from the decorator and my head together, I'll contact them again.

Thank you for the advice ?

Have a look on the Citizens Advice website for your area - there is information on private renting, or you could call their telephone advice line for information- they are not doing face to face appointments in many areas yet.
Don't forget that it may be possible to claim housing benefit from the Borough or County Council where you move to - www.entitledto.co.uk/ has a benefits calculator where you complete an online form, giving your household's income and outgoing info, that will also give you an idea if you may be entitled to claim any other benefits.

Look at Shelter's website. They are housing experts and will give you all the information that you and what the law is regarding private renting. Don't use CAB as they often make a lot of mistakes and don't completely understand the laws around private renting.

You can apply for HA and give them your circumstances. That may sway you to allowing you to bid on housing. The rents are usually cheaper on HA than private. At least with HA you are more secure than private as you never know when a landlord will want you out.

Just a thought, but have you considered or enquired about exchanging properties with someone who wants to move from the area you want to move to?

I would explore Housing Associations a bit more. Their priorities depend on how they were set up originally. I certainly know of some that have reserved places for those with mental health needs, and some with Christian / CofE links.
I second those who caution against giving up a secure tenancy. As I understand it, you currently live in a house you chose, but is owned by the Church ( which sector?) and rented from them.
I would certainly consider putting your case to them to negotiate something that would suit you better. Could you get a friend or someone similar to help you state the issue and support you arriving at a solution?
At present the Church has some obligation to you and a formal relationship with you. If you give this up, then you are on your own in the vagaries of the private rented sector. This can be very stressful.
You don't say what kind of relationship you have with the Church at the moment. I would also consider contacting local churches and seeing if anyone can point you in the right direction.
MIND has useful sections, and definitely MSE.
Good luck!

Is there a person responsible for coordinating support to retired clergy in that diocese? I know there is here.
Is there anyone useful to contact here?
www.churchofengland.org/resources/clergy-resources/retirement-housing

I would be very wary of moving out of a secure tenancy into the private market. As things stand you could be given notice at almost any time should the owner require possession. Many owners do not allow dogs Rents are also very high at the moment, at least they are here. You can surely get an idea by looking on Rightmove at the price ranges? More security would come with social housing, so maybe contact them first? Your need to be near the coast could be fulfilled by out of season shorter term lets.

There's a website called rate your landlord, www.rateyourlandlord.org.uk/ which you may find helpful.

You need to make sure that pets are allowed and get it in writing.

Most private rental properties are on either a 6 or 12 month lease, so if you don't like it, you can move. Please don't fall into the trap of offering a lump sum rent to cover the whole of the lease, they will expect another lump sum when you renew the tenancy.

Make sure you have an agreed inventory of any items left in the property and take time/date stamped photos so you have a visual condition report for each item. Also check on the meters, some landlords insist on prepayment meters and will not allow them to be changed.

Ailidh competition for rentals is keen and you need to be able to move very quickly when you see somewhere you like - and sometimes, not always, the landlord chooses who he wants out of the viewers. I was having a viewing which was rudely interrupted by an old couple who'd arrived early - and the Diocese that owned the house chose them. I assume it was the 'formula' as the rent was £750 per month, my income only allowed me £700 per month.

The rental I got in the end didn't mention pets in the advert, and I asked the agent to ask the landlord if he would consider my cat and dog, which he very kindly allowed. My friend has an Anchor Housing flat here, and has a dog, as do several other people in the block.

Thank you very much for all the helpful advice.

I'd wondered about Shelter but thought maybe they were just for those in need.

I'm going for a week in January to get a more realistic taste. A month sounds an even better idea. I know the one I'm going to doesn't take pets because they have a cat of their own but worth investigating other places.

Never thought of Moneysavingexpert, I'll give that a go. The formula's interesting - the upper limit of what I'd thought I could go to works out at £35 per annum short - so I was there or thereabouts!

I've looked at retirement housing but all I can see at the minute are sheltered flatlets round a central lounge, and I'm not quite there yet; and they don't take dogs.

I do know it's potentially an uncertain way to live but my theory was that if I did get chucked out, then I'd be eligble for social housing. I know some places take pets if you already have them.

I'd definitely take video and photos before I moved in. I wonder if there's a way of checking a landlord's history?

Thank you again. Lots to think about but good to know there are places to get info and help.

And SueBdoo - well done for living the dream!!

well, that is nice

The flat above me has been privately rented, and they accepted someone with no deposit, plus a cat and dog.
She was actually the best tenant ever, from my perspective.
Spotlessly clean, no tapping from the dog, and even the cat knew its place.

I would only do it of you have no other choice. They make it up as they go along and they wont want you having dogs either