If I do that, I am sure that they will not renew and refuse housing benefit in future, issue not so much about rent, guess i have to swallow that, but the guarantor bit is causing me issues

Not sure where to begin with this, but I am at my wits end, worried sick. I suffer depression with a history of suicide attempts, everything going on is seriously effecting my ability to keep my head above water. I am in private rented accommodation through a letting agent. My tenancy started in Feb 2011, I paid a month in advance, a months deposit and an extra month in advance due to being a pet owner. The rent was £650pcm. I had to have a guarantor also, but as my initial guarantor only earned about 19k a year, a second guarantor was required. Both guarantors signed relevant paperwork on start of tenancy. I am on Housing benefits as disabled, unable to work due to mobility and mental health. My first agreement was for 6 months. After 6 months I had to pay £45 + Vat to renew for a year, guarantors not asked to do anything, no mention of them. I am now coming to my 3rd year of tenancy (Feb 19th), having renewed previously for 18 months and more renewal fees. I have never caused any issue and my rent has always been paid in full and on or before time. This time I was contacted regarding renewing, apparently landlord apply to renew for 12 months at same rent of £650, which is a lot for what property is. I then requested 18 months, this was declined, I asked why, then told they wanted to increase by £25 a month, to which I stated I could not afford, letting agent quoted "I am sure they will agree on £15. Thereafter a lot of moving goalposts by letting agent, below is email correspondence, ** = from letting agent also in bold, @@=from me: 14/01/2014: **We informed the landlords that you asked for an 18 month tenancy, but it is their decision to offer a 12 month tenancy only. They have not indicated any rental increase for this period. 14/01/2014 @@ I asked Manager to deal with the matter 15/01/2014 **I wonder if you would be good enough to call me on my mobile, which is *********, when possible. After phone conversation between letting agent and I, a £15 per month increase proposed, and as shown below, agreed by Landlord **17/01/2014 The landlord will do either a 6 month only tenancy with no rent increase or an eighteen month tenancy with an immediate increase of £15pcm effective 19th February 2014. Please advise which option you will take so I can arrange to have the necessary tenancy agreement mailed to you. **20/01/2014 The landlord will not enter into a 12 month tenancy without an increase. She is still happy to do an 18 month tenancy but either way is looking for the increase of £25 pcm. @@Noting the above, No Increase, then £15pcm increase, then £25pcm increase, it is easy to see why I am not happy, the goalposts moved 3 times in less than a week, this is far from being fair. The only affordable option I have is that of the email you sent 17/01/2014, 18 months with £15pcm increase with immediate effect. **20/01/2014 Our landlord is happy to do the 18 month contract but does want the increase and will accept the £15 pcm as discussed. I await your advice. **24/01/2014 I can confirm receipt of your previous email and a tenancy agreement will be sent to you once we have received your renewal fee of £54. I paid the renewal fee and was expecting my tenancy agreement. 27/01/2014 **Thank you I will ensure the documents are sent to you asap. then I get another email: 04/02/2014 **Thank you for the payment of your renewal fee. To enable me to forward your renewed tenancy agreement please can you provide the email address for your two guarantors; ****** ****** and ******* *********, as they too will need to be sent the documents for signing to confirm their agreement to continue standing as guarantors on your tenancy. I trust this is satisfactory to you, however should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me. I am astounded, My Guarantors only ever signed one agreement when I first moved here, why asking again now? I face a major hurdle, I have one Guarantor that will support me, but unfortunately the second lost their job so cant do it, I have no other options for a replacement guarantor. I am stressing so much, feel as if my future here is in jeopardy, which is effecting my mental state, what with this and other personal issues. I have searched high and low for alternative accommodation but to no avail, I am on the housing register as a high priority, with bidding number etc, but severe shortage of suitable properties, thus far nothing has become available. Any help greatly appreciated

will pass that on, thanks Conniff

An email has been shot off to shelter, awaiting response. other advise is to stay put, well they have little choice other than to do that. I think the issue regarding homelessness, the mental health has to be taken into consideration, if the person is social phobic, agoraphobic and needs a carer, they could not just put him into unsuitable accomodation. It would be like putting someone on the top floor with no lift, knowing the person cant walk, not saying this person cant walk, but just generalising how things must be taken into consideration. To get them out would end in a court eviction, perhaps there maybe some meeting halfway, freeing up the much needed 3 bedroom faster, but then thats what I think & is just an opinion.

Hi, this is a complex scenario, so I would ask if you would kindly read this in full and help if you have the expertise. I was not sure exactly where to post this. Also note I am acting on behalf of friends with no internet currently. My friend, she went to live back at her fathers 3 bedroom council house in Sussex, and has been for the last 10 months or so. Within this time, her ex-partner had been in contact with her, struggling with disability, been on emergency housing transfer list for some time, level 2T. It had come to the point where he could no longer manage the stairs up to his flat, also struggling to even reach his car. Along with disabilities he has social phobia, so could not deal with all the people in London, as well as agoraphobia, panic attacks and other mental ailments. His ex offered to become his carer, a great friend, and the only person he could trust anywhere near him. The reason for them being ex's is he is Gay, but not openenly, struggling to come to terms with it. He upped sticks, leaving his one bedroom council flat, as he simply could not cope with London, a dodgy neighbour, caring from himself, and the isolation and hermitising caused through living in London. He was fine when he lived in sussex prior to his breakdown which it the reason he left there in the first place. he had little choice, the break down caused him to be homeless if he remained in Sussex, he went to stay at his parents in London before being housed under mental health grounds. I guess technically if anything goes wrong, he would be intentionally homeless. Everything was fine in Sussex, the girl living with her father, his wife and teen child, and the person she is carer for. They are all registered as living there. Now the father, wife and son went on holiday to Thailand, this is the brith place of Wife & child, they married and come to Britain about 8 years ago. They normally go for a month or two. However, they have just been notified that they are all going to stay in Thailand, never to return. Obvisouly the Londoner and his carer (Daughter of Tenenacy holder) would not be entitled to keep the house, one due to amount of bedrooms, two, they are not the tenant. They have tried to find private rented, but a lot are out of the scope financially for housing benefit, others just do not accept DSS, also they have a small yorkshire terrier, medicinal for the Londoner, clean, flealess, well trained. Most do not accept pets at all. Fighting a losing battle on that front. he cant do b&b, due to bad experiences when in b&b in the pasted, also due to social phobia and disability. Where do these two stand in regards to being rehoused in a suitable sized property? Please, any advice would be greatly appreciated as time is running out. They have yet to inform the council of the tenant leaving the UK, due to only just finding out, and obviously want to be equipped with all the information they can be.