Single dad renting

LegacyUser

I've my son most weekends and I want to move out of my parents' house, as I'm 28 and it's time I did. However I need a place big enough for me and my son, and I pay whopper amounts of child support which leaves me fairly broke.

I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience or suggestions about this? I could maybe afford 650pm max but I live and work in the Big Shmoke so that's a big problem isn't it?

tenchi-fan

A one bedroom flat with the sitting room done up nice and a sofa bed.. not perfect but it's an option.

I am a friend

Are you paying maintenance for the 7 days and if so, can you reduce it seeing as you have him 2 days per week?

LegacyUser

I am a friend wrote: »

Are you paying maintenance for the 7 days and if so, can you reduce it seeing as you have him 2 days per week?

I pay 95 per week but I don't have him every single weekend. It's complex and I doubt going back to court to reduce maintenance so I can move out would be an option

LegacyUser

tenchi-fan wrote: »

A one bedroom flat with the sitting room done up nice and a sofa bed.. not perfect but it's an option.

I just don't think that'd be good enough

Pandora2

Are you aware that once your child spends at least one/a couple of overnights a month with you, you can claim " Married " tax free allowance (recollection is that it means your tax free allowance is double that of a single person)....your tax office should be able to advise.....surprisingly a lot of people don't know this.....in my case the claimant was my ex- Husband and he was in receipt of this enhanced tax free allowance....however, check the revenue website..this stuff is changin by the minute!!!:eek:

tenchi-fan

Pandora2 wrote: »

Are you aware that once your child spends at least one/a couple of overnights a month with you, you can claim " Married " tax free allowance (recollection is that it means your tax free allowance is double that of a single person)....your tax office should be able to advise.....surprisingly a lot of people don't know this.....in my case the claimant was my ex- Husband and he was in receipt of this enhanced tax free allowance....however, check the revenue website..this stuff is changin by the minute!!!:eek:

Surely the op would need to be married in order to claim a tax credit like that?

Morag

It is not a married tax credit it is a lone parents tax credit, once you have your child over night you can apply for it.

http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/leaflets/it9.html

Who can claim a One-Parent Family Tax Credit?

A single parent with a dependent child or children can claim this credit. The child must reside with the claimant for the whole or part of the year of claim.

A child includes:

A child of your own
A stepchild
A formally adopted child
An informally adopted child or any child (who is not a child of yours) of whom you have custody and that you maintain at your own expense.

ash23

I agree, contact the tax office and apply for one parent tax credits. It made a fairly big difference to the amount of tax I was paying.
Have you considered moving out of the city and commuting? It may end up costing the same in terms of cost of commute, however, you would get more for your rental budget outside of the city.

I'm a similar age and a single parent and I think that living away from your parents is worth the financial sacrifices. I cannot imagine living with my parents and trying to parent my child my way or live my life my way.

I'd do whatever it took to move out OP.

Alternatively, have you any friends who are single dads who have their kids at weekends who you would consider house sharing with?
I know house sharing when you have a child is very difficult though, but as the kids wouldn't be there all the time, it may be worth looking into.

I am a friend

Is it not means tested?

Pandora2

I am a friend wrote: »

Is it not means tested?

No....this is a Revenue matter........not SW:)

dearg lady

FatherofOne wrote: »

I just don't think that'd be good enough

I would imagine it's your best bet, I doubt a 2 bed would come within your budget at all, or if so, it wouldn't be great quality.

As other have said, make sure you get the lone parent tax credit, and you would also be entitled to a small increase in tax band.

CarMe

Would you consider Balbriggan? The train is handy into town and you could get a nice 2 bed for about 650, have a look on daft.

Morag

I know ideally you'd like your child to have his own room at your place but that may not be possible. Would you consider going on the housing list? getting on the list and say that you need a place where your can have your son, may means you can apply for rent allowance.

It's that or getting a set of bunk beds for you room, maybe a double with a single over it.

Fittle

You won't get a 2 bed apt in Dublin for less than 650 (I've just looked on Daft) unless you consider the outskirsts as another poster said (Balbriggan).

I don't see why a one bed wouldn't suffice for now? How old is your child? A pull out bed in the living room which can be used by either of you when he's there - or he can sleep with you.

What you have to do is decide which is the most important - having your own place (small as it might be) OR staying at home.

LegacyUser

Took a look at the housing application, I might apply but I wonder will they allow it, as my son spends more time with his mum than with me?

Pandora2

If you are looking at the social housing application (Council)...you as a single man with limited responsibility for your son, working ( I assume that is the case from the amount of maintenance that you pay)...you haven't a hope of even being accepted onto the list:(

Rent Allowance is linked to acceptance onto the housing list, so that's out too:(

Very low income earners may make it onto the social housing list but, if you work at all you will not qualify for Rent Allowance.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but from what you have said you have more chance of winning the lotto than getting on the local authority housing list. That said, always apply, they can only say no. You may have individual circumstances i.e. bad health that will support your application....it will be a long wait though.

If you have very compelling circumstances it might be an idea to contact Respond Housing Association...they are a fab organisation that do a lot for single men/separated fathers, not sure of your location but they cover a lot of the Country. Last I heard they required that you be accepted onto a Council waiting list before you could be considered but, I know they have made exceptions to this in the past.

Good luck...personally I would go with the 1 bed flat.......it is the only option that seems achievable within the forseeable future, that or accepting a commute.

Morag

As long as the other parent is not on the housing list or getting rent allowance then you can apply.

DamagedTrax

get a single bedroom apt and sleep on the couch when your kid stays over. thats what i do and it works out just fine