Seems to over posted while yourself was posting. Thank you Erika, have confirmed what i thought in the sense of not entitled to Income Support but was unsure why the calculater stated would be. As soon as we know for sure i will contact Housing Benefit as any help would be grateful until can try to at least normalize things again re money coming in. Am already looking into possibly exchanging into a smaller home (lesser rent) in the same street as that may be something to consider also. Think everyone still in shock at moment. Thank you again Erika,

Just an update now that brother has returned from work. Mother seemed a little 'pre-occupied' shall we say, ie she put the microwave on to do some dinner for brother but hadn't put anything inside etc. Brother has spoken a little to step father who has said that he is going to a meet a friend this evening, and probably stay at his. Brother asked how after 9/10yrs can suddenly 'not be happy' instead of trying to change things for better to which all reply was that he will be "staying away" at a friends for next few days and take it from there, so does seem as though leaving tonight and based on what we know, cant change what are unsure of what is causing the unhappiness so we now going to prepare for worst and hope for best. (Just for peace of mind, brother and friend/lodger will be keeping close eye on her) Thanks

Hi Cag'ers, Needing some advice of which is a fragile situation at present so as i can at least have some rough information to hand before my family panic thinking of starving, loosing home etc and i know you all have a world of knowledge, and have been unable to find similar while searching through the threads. Background situation: Parents have three children (i'm the oldest), youngest is now 20yrs old and still living at home along with a friend/somewhat lodger (19/20). My mother and step-father have been together around 9yrs and married for around 6yrs (7yrs in May). My mother was not working previously as was supported by our natural father, but due to safety circumstances mother ended up single parent on Income Support. She then met my step-father and she came off benefits around 9yrs ago with her staying/looking after the home and us (i have had bad luck in health and have a s.e.n son and has helped us greatly) with step-father working and supporting the household. As time went on, i left home and had my son. Around 3yrs ago, originally a friend of both brothers was having some problems at home so moved into my mothers home, 2yrs ago middle child/brother finally left home and moved into first home with his now finance (they now have 3month old baby). So now there is my youngest brother working 48+hours per week bringing home around £1200 per month and pays i think £80 per week rent to my mother. Friend/lodger earns around £120-150 per week and again pays i believe £80 per week to mother for room, food, washing etc (he is awaiting to become full time/permanent to which wages will rise but unsure if/when will happen). Step father working full time, mother housewife. Between them, parents have always managed to scrap past bills (all be it sometimes with a little help from myself/brother), without any HB, CTB, CTC, WTC etc since youngest brother left school. Now the part where they are starting to panic, while also trying to stop mother having a break down due to this news last night and (pretty much) confirmation today. Pretty much out of nowhere (from what we/children know anyway) last night mother very upset, when brother asked why - step father (for whatever/unknown yet reasons) would like to leave/seperate. He had happened to have today off work and being as both brothers have now started the four on/off shift, we have pretty much left them to talk and sort things out either way but it is certain he wants to now leave. While there is the one side of now trying to hold family together somehow and without my mother going into a mental breakdown, my brothers are now starting to panic thinking that, being as mother does not work, she will not afford the bills, food, rent etc and will end up homeless. So the advice i am seeking is once we know when he is leaving the home (cannot see him staying long as is unfair to both of them) or if indeed has/does leave today/tomorrow, and of course i am able to try to give a helping hand or do on her behalf - what is the best advice i can give her re any available help in the short term please? She has been out of work now for around 20+yrs, wouldn't know where to start or indeed if (i fear) she may be able to, as with previous relationship was very close to a breakdown, and with the possibility of me having a knock in health (am awaiting test results any day) around this time/situation, and with her thinking of having to go jobcentre every two weeks, i fear what her mind will be like, with one thing after the other, especially with this being a complete shock. Of course we will all try to help with bills, rent, food as much as we are able but we do have our own to pay (two in private rental, youngest loan on car, mobile contract etc) so of course i can understand my brothers' worries but i just don't know which way for her to turn to, to at least ensure food, rent until (hopefully) able to secure a job of her own or indeed how will ride it out etc. Any advice, or points in any direction i would be extremely grateful for, as i have tried the benefit calculater(if is correct name) but it assumes she will be able to claim for income support (which reading on forum seems doubtful), or the main one only states a small discount/benefit for HB and CTC and does not mention anything else - also if makes any difference, the home is a council home and have lived there around 15yrs or so now. Thanks in advance, and sorry if i rambled on a bit.

Hi, Different Housing Association and location but had the same problem, except my car was MOT'd and Taxed, on a cemented driveway on/part of my front garden. Due to the car being 'unroadworthy' (needed an expensive part to ensure was 100% safe to drive), i was told by my H.A to remove it, get it roadworthy or they would tow it away. I told them that it was not on the public road, was not blocking any access to my own or any other property etc but was no avail and i was pointed towards my tenacy agreement - very long winded, and was not entirely read thoroughly upon signing and/or was not taken in fully, but my own fault for this. In the tenacy it states upon signing i am allowing them/agreeing that i will not have a car of my property, either on the front of my home ie drive or in the road or spaces to be untaxed, not MOT'd, unroadworthy or uninsured, if i do have my own or allow a member of household to keep/park a car in any of these conditions, then the H.A will be allowed to tow said car. After a neighbour had two untaxed, uninsured and both sorn cars on their own drive for around 6 months, after 2 letters from the H.A a warning final letter was issued. They got these up and running however one other neighbour with one car on her drive around this time did indeed have the car towed away as we had signed our tenacy agreement allowing this to happen if need be. I would suggest you thoroughly read through your father's tenacy agreement and see if something like this is in his own tenacy, and take it from there. However as far as my own H.A was concerned, even though it was my driveway attached to my house - at the end of the day it was/is their house/land and is not allowed. Do wish you luck in sorting this out,

Hi mkb, For phone or broadband? For landline i went with Direct Save Telecom, although the Post office also does good non contract landlines, and for the broadband i went with a company called ADSL24 - They were the only company i could find where you have mulitple choices of speed, limits (if wanted) and no 12/18/24 contracts, although they have one or to options where you can have one if wanted. It is a 30 day rolling contract that doesnt charge through the roof unlike some 3month contract broadbands i came across. Have been with these now for around 3-4months and must say that i have had not one problem. Both i can access online or via phone and i dont get people hanging up, being rude, etc. Obviously i cannot say that these are the best ones to go for as everyone has different opinions and needs when it comes to phone and broadband, but for ourselves i now couldnt be happier away from BT Sarah

Hi Just thought would post an update for/if anyone wondered what happened next. Well the following Monday, via a helpful friend, i rang a garage who said they would be happy to do all the reports and to take it in later that day. So we did. Thursday lunchtime the FOLLOWING week, so they had had it for nearly two weeks, i rang the garage again as had done so few times, asking if they had done all reports papers etc. Was told yes, had been finished that morning, would be the £25 as was told. Was asked that they think think may be able to somewhat get the exhaust back up connected safely so as while all going on, if my sister in law went into labour they would be able to get to the hospital etc. Was told they would try to weld directly, or repair weld for £30. My brother agreed to this as was so worried without a car as can imagine. Last week (so the fourth week this second garage had the car), after 2/3calls per day by myself, my brother and also our mother asking if done and if not we wanted the car back. I've tried this, that etc ive got a piece coming in so as can get exhaust on. After myself speaking to them on the Thursday morning, was told it was up on the ramps, they had the bits needed and was being done as we spoke - (brother had a walk past and confirmed this,he justed wanted a working road worthy car) and that should be done by lunchtime. Lunchtime, our mother rings - can i collect the car yet, was told still on ramp and will be ready to pick up at closing time. So, as spoken to myself previously, she told them under no circumstances, that we will be there at closing and if the car had not been done or finished we will be taking the car as is, not paying for any/if any work done. Closing time comes and my brother and sister in law walk over to garage (i didnt find out until later on in the evening once they had closed and gone home for obvious reasons-i know ours rights thinks to being a cag member for many moons and have no shame letting this be known lol ). They walked into the garage, and yes the exhaust was on, seemed all ok so was asked to go through to the office to pay and collect keys. They go into office and charged £30 for exhaust, to which he pays this. He then asks about the reports as was told this was an additional £25. She asks the somewhat senior mech to come over to talk to them. He states to my brother - "no we didnt do any reports or papers as if we were, we would also be held/be involved legally should you need to take this matter to court so we decided not to do this." Brother states that we were told in wk2 they had all been done, were told what they had and hadnt done re both service and damaged over phone, so did they lie then or now? as if they werent going to do anything, then they shoudnt have touched it so as a different garage to do the reports without it being touched. He said sorry couldnt help and walked off. Understandly, my brother had to walk out as my sister in law also got quite upset and angry, he didnt want her to go into labour there and then and didnt want to get arrested himself. I was told later on so as i couldnt go at this second garage also. To be done over by one garage was unlucky enough (not unheard of it seems), but for this second garage to now do this, shattered them. Long ending short - he had a friend come over to look at the car (as he heard brother just wanted it gone now), and after looking over the car both there and the garage, also knowing this past history, all known faults at present and the fact mot runs out end next week, he offered my brother a very good price although had these faults that has helped get a different car - must add that also now fits the baby stuff lol. Just a note re mot due - apparently the worked they did, they stated upon pickup that would be fine for now, but would need new cat (both parts) for a mot to pass. So i can understand why they have decided to just get rid of the car and hassle, but i have been asked that i wont come down on either garage due to the stress it has caused. Note; we tried speaking to the police, my brother twice different people, also myself. On all occasions, even after stating we did not give them permission to take it off their premises, and they had damaged the car and not willing to put right although they damage had obviously been caused rather than wear, and the fact they were seen by now 2 people - we were told that they couldnt and wouldnt be able to help, one even siad to my brother that he would expect them to take it for a test drive for a simply service. Could only laugh at this as not much else to do. If was my way id have both garages. Seems a shame when after all the searching, we still couldnt find a garage we could trust so unsure what will happen the next time one of our cars need work we cant do ourselves without mot testers cert or a ramp ... but would like to thank you both for trying to help at least. Sarah

Hi, Just wanted to post a quick message re the amount they scare you into paying if you want to leave while in a 'verbal contract' with them - although the verbal contract you have with their staff is useless and wrong apparently (sorry had many problems with them myself lol). In the end, i wrote to the email provided on the link above and had a member of his team contact me back within hours to take on 'my problem'. Long story short i told them im was off, and if they thought i was going to pay hundreds of pounds to 'end contract early' then they were mistaken. Basically, tops they are allowed to charge you is £70, or £12.50 per month remaining on the contract - whichever greater. I ended up paying £44 for nearly 8months left in the end as i had had so much trouble. I do however still have a copy, both letter and email from this person (who staff say they can not over ride her decisions ) stating that if i wanted to leave the broadband contract early, then it is £12.50 times the number of months remaining....If you would like to see a copy (minus any personal details) i would be more than happy to help as i am now with a different company for broadband (also landline), who only has 30days contract, no throttling, no limits (very litterally), all england based help/customer/sales centres and now im recieving nearly 23meg although according to BT i can only recieve 7 (but they limit it to 2mb unless you say something)...all this for the same price of their/BT's starting price, and much less than what you end up paying. Paying that small amount was well worth the escape Sarah

Hi cagger's, Am needing the help of car minded cagger's as cant believe things like this still happen. Sorry seems so long. My brother has a '94 Impreza, just a standard 1.6i engine but looks just like a WRX due to kit etc... It was booked in for a full service at a local garage from him as seemed they had a special discount on price, £50 for full service. Had been booked for earlier today, for last couple of weeks. Where this garage is located is a somewhat small industrial estate, as is between housing estates. He dropped it off around lunchtime expecting to be able to pick up his car in if anything a cleaner healthier condition - however what has happened truely has very much so angered and upset him. Long story short, after going in to pick up his car after the 'full service' wonders why on earth his exhaust is off and the back bumping is just hanging on....apparently - all they did was drove it into garage onto ramp and as was all rusted that much, they just fell off....right. Asked why there was no bracket on the exhaust or car, he was told that they couldnt find it. "Surely if it just fell of while on ramp would be easily located?", Nope couldnt be found. At this point he's understandably fuming, although was quite good enough not to swear, abuse etc any staff. He went out side to phone my parents, and they said to take it to a family friend of ours (who has over 30yrs exp) other side of town that does also has a garage but for mot;s mainly to see what on earth was going on as exhausts and bumpers dont just fall off out of nowhere. While out front, a friend he knows who apprentice's in a repairs garage opposite this one. He asked why my brother had been rude by not waving back when kept driving past his work??? Came to light that one of the members of staff had decided to see how the car drove, and was 'ragging' it down the street...which i may add has speed bumps. IE If you hit a speed bump with enough speed in a lowered car, it'll hit exhaust which will hit bumper..so the exhaust fell off, the bumper is now hanging and the bracket cant be found as was 'dropped' outside somewhere. He promptly goes in, asks how this has happened as obviously something more than what excuse was given, told that they only drove the vehicle inside workshop, onto ramp, where it fell off. Understandably for a young 20-odd yr old, didnt quite know what to say do or how to proceed so told them he would certainly be back in contact, paid the £50 'just to take my car' and drove to the family's friends garage. Seems not only has one of these mechanics driven the car around the estate without authority, whilst damaging the car in process, a full service was never carried out and has done very little more than topping up the oil. Obviously neither the friend machanic he didnt play around with anything as luckily brother thought that garage A may accuse another garage of causing faults. Friend machanic also stated that they shouldnt of allowed the car to be somewhat touched due to now an oil leak, problem with clutch, two bald tyres and also something with the steering coloumn as should now be classed as unroad worthy although must state at this point, the mot is only about 5/6months ago if that..and that when got the car in end April, my partner (again mechanic over 25yrs exp) looked all over and none of these problems seen then or since let alone 'so much rust for exhaust to fall off'. He took the car back to his home, and rang Trading Standards. Has a ref number, and was told to take the car to an indepent garage for it to be evaluated and looked over so as can have a figure for the repairs to get back into a 'reasonable condition', for it to be written if and what 'full service' was done, and if the damaged caused today is wear and tear or caused from negligent use ie speeding over bumps. This is when i found out and promptly came back here to start looking things up. However since, seems that while brother had his head all over the place, he didnt realise was given no invoice, receipt, nothing. My mother has phoned the garage, after being told manager was now out, asked for invoice and receipt with a break down on what they claimed to have carried out, name of mechanic who worked on car, and also the time they actually moved the vehicle/started the service all ready to be collected tomorrow by a collegue. After um's and ah's was told, o the boss is here, so asked again. Finallyhe said ok, would be ready for collection tomorrow morning - which somehow i doubt. She has also rang round a couple of garages to try to see if they will take the car to be inspected but seems no garage round he is willing to go up against another garage. So thats the facts/story so far, and where im now here asking for help as i have told him i will somewhat 'take over' this for him as tomorrow back onto shift work (which may i add both him, his very preg partner and also our other younger brother find out tomorrow where they all work same shift/unit if all redundant) so as can see trying to help him have a satisfactory and quickish outcome... Can anyone point me in direction of a step by step list/route, or template letters etc I myself will be going to hopefully collect the paperwork, which they know Trading Standards are already involved, and i wont be leaving until i have them. Was also considering taking my camera to take photos of both inside and outside the garage so as i can prove their equipment couldnt cause these faults if this may be a good idea to help any outcome/get paperwork faster...as i have a feeling there may be a fight ahead, which we are now prepared for as regardless of redundancy he cant afford the £250 odd for the bumper let alone everything else. Any help very much appreciated by us all,

Hi John, You can ring and confirm with them, but i was advised re moving costs to wait until three days (i think) before the moving day, get two quotes and use these quotes and apply for a crisis loan as if applied within few days before, then will be recieved on/before the day to pay for the removals. I needed help when we moved, (long story) and i was told to apply for the budgeting loan as soon as able to help with the house (in right state) and then to wait closer the time for moving expenses. I then found out on the Tuesday morning i was now moving on the next day/Friday, so rang for advice. Was told to ring on the Thursday which was the soonest i could have the quotes from removal companies, and apply over the phone, taking the quotes into the office and they then help with providing a crisis loan of the smaller quote. In the end i had to go and pick up the giro Friday lunchtime half way through moving, and you do still have to pay these back which is started after have finished paying back the budgeting loan - but this helped greatly and was very grateful as now, a year on, we are in a new (suitable) home for my son. They really are quite nice (well most lol) but you can ring them and explain and they should be able to set everything up ready for you. Good luck with the moving day, and i can be pm'ed if need any more help with these as i have some experience with crisis/budgeting loans. Sarah Edit; Just thought also, as you mentioned illness, depending upon which/if any benefit you are on and the reasons for moving, you may be able to apply for a 'Community Care Grant' for the moving costs/help with home, and these are not repayed - although i dont know much about these.

Hi 45002, Have never posted, but felt i should leave you a reply re the HMO. Am not/have not 'worked' in the housing industry but do help out on a 'council/h.a housing exchange site', plus with HMO's being quite common in the area i live; HMO stands for Housing in Multiple Occupancy. My thoughts on the Retrospective planning permission for HMO are that your landlord owned the house as just that - a house. S/he then turned the HOUSE into FLATS and let out the individual flats, ie one to yourself. However you need to apply for planning to turn a house into flats and also i think (?) possibly change the use from house to flats. As they didnt ask for planning for this to be done before work/renting, they are now asking for 'retrospective planning permission' as this has already been changed from one house into X amounts of flats - therefore turning a HOUSE into a House for Mutliple Occupancy ie flats. This is nothing that should worry you, as this should have been done before the work was carried out and flats rented, and by reading that they would like to see that was done over 10yrs ago, i can only presume that they will grant this (although note i do say presume). This needs to be applied/granted whether or not the landlord intends to sell, apply for a different/new planning application etc as no permission was granted for the house to be turned into flats in the first place. (Sounds a bit scary but hopefully/sure you will have nothing to worry about). Do hope that have wrote in such a way to as not confuse anyone, and that hopefully at least will ease some worry for yourself wondering what the HMO is. Again am no legal person or have legal quilifactions, and this is based on my experience, opinions and my (little) knowledge