Separating after a Section 21 notice and unsure where to begin

[Anonimo]

Hi everyone, I’m in a really difficult situation and would really appreciate any advice or experiences.
We are a family of four (me, my partner, a 13-year-old and a 4-year-old). The house we are renting is being sold and we’ve been served a Section 21 notice.
My partner and I have had a strained relationship for many years. We are very different and don’t really understand each other anymore. We are clearly only together because of our children, otherwise we would have separated already. I’ve realised I don’t want to keep living like this, and maybe this forced move is the right moment to make a change, but honestly I feel terrified.
I don’t even know where to start. I’ve never applied for benefits before and I know I would need to, as my salary alone wouldn’t be enough. I’m also unsure how renting works in this situation.I’m worried I won’t pass affordability checks and I’ve heard you usually need a tenancy agreement before applying for benefits?
The council is another option, but where I live I doubt there’s much availability and I’m scared we’d be placed far from our current area, which would affect my job, the children’s school, and our support network.
I haven’t spoken to my partner yet as I don’t know how to approach it.
If anyone has been through something similar, I would really appreciate hearing your experience. Thank you.

Unfortunately, if you’re not married his only obligation is child maintenance.

Yes, I know that. Thanks!

What's your income? Can you increase it? Do you have a family member who can help a guarantor? The best chance of getting a decent private rental is having a decent income and a guarantor.

My income won’t be enough to pass the affordability checks for rentals. I am not sure about the guarantor, I might be able to get one but 100% I’ll need universal credit. I mean with the UC I’ll pass the affordability checks but, I guess need to rent first and then apply for it?

Book an appointment to see citizens advice. They will be able to guide you through this.
Good luck. Sometimes its actually far easier alone!

Also check out Shelter and Gingerbread

@Anonimo You can do a benefits calculation on Turn2us or Entitledto. This will give you an idea of what benefits you will be eligible for.

yes you will need to already have a signed tenancy agreement and UC is paid in arrears. You need to work out how much they’d contribute to rent and your UC entitlement overall to see if it’s affordable. Have you got enough saved for a deposit and first months rent? Would the kids live with you as the main parent?

Thank you all for your replies. I did the calculator last night. Is it that accurate? With UC on top of my salary, it would be enough to cover rent and also have some money left for bills, food, and the rest of the expenses.

The tricky part is finding someone who will rent to me in these circumstances :( because I can’t prove to them that I will be getting UC.

Yes… maybe when I feel strong enough I will go to Citizens Advice. Right now I am so stressed about everything going on.

Yes I have enough savings for cover few months Rent in advance…don’t know if that would help

Contact the council, citizens advice and shelter, your council will also have a welfare department. See if your GP practice has any social prescribers (they might be able to signpost you to relevant help, that's their job).

Get it done this week as the longer you put it off the more stressed you will become. The new rental act comes into force next week so half the information posters give you will be out of date.

Good luck OP. It will be a tough few months but surely that's better than a tough few years with a man you will resent more and more

Start looking for rentals and viewing this will give you an idea of what’s out there and the prices and what the letting agents need. You will likely need a guarantor ie someone who is a high earner or who owns a property. It can be daunting at first but you will get there. Definitely go different ways with your partner

@Anonimo contact the housing dept at your council. They will almost certainly have someone , or be able to refer you to a service, that helps secure private rented for people in your position.

They will also have a homeless prevention fund/rent deposit scheme. They do more than just social housing.