I’m forced to live in my car so I can do my dream job – I can’t even afford a caravan, people say I’m ‘crazy to do this’
DEPENDING on where you’re based, finding somewhere affordable to rent can be a difficult feat.
One worker shared her decision to reside in their car in order to keep her dream job.
In a post on Mumsnet, user ForTodayFinch revealed the trouble she has had finding somewhere to live near her workplace.
She explained that career-wise things were taking off for her but circumstances meant she was left without somewhere to live.
“I’ve been offered an ideal job in the town where I currently live but my short term tenancy is due to end in a couple of weeks,” she wrote.
The poster went on to say she had “tried everything to find a new place to live.”
However, the limited availability in their area became a significant obstacle.
“There is nothing available in this small town and I have no friends or family living close enough to help,” she said.
Not willing to pass up their new job, she decided to live out of their car for the time being.
As time went on, the poster’s hopes of finding somewhere began to diminish.
“I’ve reached a desperate point now where I think there is little chance of me being able to rent privately even if something does become available,” she said.
She explained that a “run of bad luck” left her with limited options due “drained finances.”
The poster was also cited with a county court judgment for overstaying in a service station when she experienced car trouble.
According to Gov.UK, a county court judgment will stay on your record for six years.
“Banks and loan companies use this information to decide whether to give you credit or loans,” she explained.
The poster said the judgment was taken out while she was living abroad and she only found out while applying for a new place to live.
What to do if you're made homeless
In England, your council must help if you’re legally homeless or will become homeless within the next 8 weeks.
You may be legally homeless if:
- you’ve no legal right to live in accommodation anywhere in the world
- you cannot get into your home, for example your landlord has locked you out
- it’s not reasonable to stay in your home, for example you’re at risk of violence or abuse
- you’re forced to live apart from your family or people you normally live with because there’s no suitable accommodation for you
- you’re living in very poor conditions such as overcrowding
There are different types of support your council could offer you. For example, they may offer you advice, emergency housing, support to find longer-term housing or help so you can stay in your home.
If you are looking for advice you can contacting housing charity Shelter for advice, Citizen Legal Advice for a legal aid, and speak to your local council for help.
“So there goes the chance of renting privately,” she said.
She pointed out that her choices involved becoming “homeless and destitute,” going furhter afield and staying with relatives, or living in their car to take advantage of the job opportunity.
“I think I will live in my car,” the poster concluded.
“Good jobs are few and far between here. It doesn’t pay enormously but it is in a very competitive industry and exactly what I am trained and qualified for.
“I feel extremely honoured and lucky to have been offered the position and it would be ideal career-wise.”
She explained that she had taken out a membership at the local leisure centre in order to shower.
When one person suggested she look into getting a caravan, she revealed that their limited finances were preventing them.
“Caravans will be out of my price range unfortunately,” the poster wrote.
“It’s peak season and a popular summer destination for holidays. If it was winter I might have a chance.”
Other Mumsnet users shared their thoughts on the situation in the comments section.
“Even a bed in a shared doom in a hostel, or a tent on a campsite, would be better than sleeping in your car,” pointed out one person.
“You’re crazy to do this. Before long you’d be so frazzled, you’d be unable to do the job properly. Then you’d be homeless and without a job,” said another commenter.
“Any local universities? Many let their rooms out over summer,” suggested one reader.