An event that all of us at some point in our lives will experience is moving house.
It is said that moving home is one of the most stressful events anyone will do, in fact back in 2023 moving house was ranked “the most stressful life event” by 57% of Brits. Over half of the respondents that took part in the survey ranked moving house as the most stressful lifetime event more so than having a child, starting a new job, or going through a divorce.
On average most people who live in the UK will move house a total of 8 times in their lifetime. Although it is a stressful time moving home it's also a start of a new chapter in your life and making new memories and friends.
Since COVID the housing crisis has become more noticeable with:
There are schemes available to help those who are trying to get on the property ladder with Help to Buy, Shared Ownership schemes and even some organisations/brokers offering 100% mortgages to first time buyers.
There are also rent deposit schemes and a rent guarantee scheme which may be available to you depending on your location and circumstances. Local councils, housing associations, voluntary organisations, churches or community groups in your area might have such a scheme available.
Rent deposit schemes lend you money in advance to pay a tenancy deposit, which you then pay back over an agreed timescale.
A rent guarantee scheme (or bond scheme) gives your landlord a written guarantee, known as a bond, instead of a cash deposit. If there are then issues with you paying your deposit, the scheme provider will use the bond to pay your landlord.
If neither of those options are available to you, you can contact your landlord or council and ask them to consider setting up a payment plan to allow you to make instalments.
If you are entitled to Housing Benefit or the housing costs included in Universal Credits, then you can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) which might help with a deposit.
If you need help paying for a removal, depending on your circumstances you may be able to apply for assistance with these grants or loans.
Discretionary House Payment does not only just help with deposits, but it can also be used to help pay for moving costs and rent arrears caused by a shortfall in benefit payments.
Community Care Grant (Scotland) can be applied for if you’re on a low income and need extra money to live independently and help with certain costs.
If you are on Universal credits and have been receiving them for 6 months or longer you may be eligible for budgeting loans which you will be required to pay back.
For those who aren’t aware The Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust may also be able to assist with grants and we are certainly able to offer you support and guidance which is always dealt in a confidential manner.