Hi I need help but not getting it. Im on housing benefit, but it dose not cover the whole rent, I have to pay the rest out of my job seekers allowance.

We have applied for council help, but they say we can afford to live where we are. but it is taking all the money we get.

I have told them we are trying to find a cheeper home but as our credit rating is poor, and most don"t take housing benefit, and can not get a deposit saved up we are stuck. ( unless the landlord tells us to get out ) then the council will be able to help us. But we must keep paying the rent or the council will say I have made us selfs homeless, then they wont do anything.

We have just been made bankrupt which dont help matters, We also lost 150.00 search fees to taylors estate agents as are credit had changed from the time we dealt with them.

Is there anyone else out there that I can contact to get help. All we want is a cheeper place to rent. we are paying 625.00 a month rent and yes I am English ???. thanks..

Hello again mad.

After your post on the 4 Jun 08 reference- Benefits I posted some advice regarding you seeking advice from Citizens advice and shelter (just google the web address) thats the housing charity the same advice still stands.

Paul

Hi paul thanks I thought I had replied befor thanks anyway, I am in the process of getting help from CAB

But things don"t seem to be moving too quick. Also we have had squirrels in the loft since we moved in here and the landlord has done nothing to get rid of them any ideas, there a nuisance and make alot of noise at night. all we can hear is the squirrels chewing and jumping around. thanks again.

mad

Good morning mad,

As a 'rule of thumb' anything with regards to the structure of the house is the landlords responsibility. I can only suggest you put your concerns in writing to the landlord, carefully check over your tenancy agreement, see what that says and if the landlord is still unhelpful as a last step after giving him time to reply to your letter complain to the local council - enviromental health department they should have recourse to chase up on your landlord, even better if your landlord is a member of a landlords scheme complain to them. this information should be in the tenancy agreement.

Regards,

Paul

thanks I will look it up. thanks for your time.

kevin