These past couple of weeks has been a living hell for me. I struggle with depression and I can't deal with stress at all. I applied for a few apartments and I got a letter saying I was denied because my ex land lord had gave a negative verification which was false. He said I was a great tenant and never had to complain about me.
I feel that I'm being treated unfairly and being stigmatised because of my mental illness. I was took the letter and I tossed and lost my temper and started to cry. I was feeling hopeless, I'm a failure. Also I thought about attmitting myself to hospital in a psychatric ward. I basically was ready to have a break down. I'm so sick of seeing dark clouds over my shoulders everyday, it doesn't get better. I feel that society has failed me. I had to appeal against that denial letter which I wasn't in no mental state to write very neat.
Hi, Englishteapot - I'm sorry that you're having such a hard time finding a place to live. Is there anyone you can ask to help you with this? If you live in the US, there are places that can help you. Let us know if that's the case. You shouldn't be discriminated against because of mental illness, as long as you can take care of yourself and the place you live in. And if you can't, you should be able to get help, as well. Can you tell us a little more about what's been going on? Please hang in there, you can get through this - we're here for you.
Hi - My heart goes out to you ! Ive been and still am, to some extent in your position. I get the feeling youre living in UK ? I think its the same the world over in apartment land. A landlord thinks of things not from a human perspective but from a legal one. I for once, know what Im talking about because I managed a Charity that helped people get homed and get flats and I took unscruplous landlords to court and won, [I studied landlord/Tenant law]. Anyway, nothing has changed in 2010. There is a worry in most landlords heads, that anyone who suffers mental illness may go 'Mad' be noisy, unruly and because of their illness the courts willnot put them out of their Apartments or flats and will look favourably on their illness. The truth is, in the main, Tenants with mental suffering are much much better Tenants, tidier, quiet, needing peace and not partying as much as other tenants. Its totally totally unfair and unreasonable. of course you can take these people for discrimination but youre talking time, Legal battle, alot of money spent and very little compensation.
Like you I suffer too and have felt like signing myself in to hospital at times. It wont solve the prob. though and youll still have to face getting a nice place.
So - This is my advise, take it or leave it - Dont say anything about having a Mental disorder of any kind. I mention my rheum. Arthritis but not the Depressions etc., I know its disgraceful, but right now, you need a decent place to live. I w ould have a chat with your x landlord, see if you can get a written reference or ask him not to say anything about 'Mental illness'.
Please dont think I agree with this Stigma, Ignorance and appalling Racism type behaviour on behalf of landlords. I just think you need to get a place and settle in as soon as possible. Landlords should be glad to get a good tenant who will look after their property. Present looking well and act confident. Look out for things,rings on cookers not working, shower etc., youre the Renter and without people like you, Landlords wouldnt have an income. Meanwhile I suggest you put your name down for Social or co-op housing. I wish you the best
Hi there,
Thank you for responding to my comment. I'm not going to give up trying to get an apartment and I'm going to appeal this nonsense. That landlord is a looser and the problem is that I'm a good person and I always get F**ked every time. Sorry for the language.
I'm not from the UK I'm from the US and English American born in the US. I use to live in the UK along time ago. I'm use to getting stimgmatised and I'm sick of it. Also I don't even get emotional support from my family they think everything is a big joke to them. When I get my own place hopefully soon I'm going to self isolate so I don't have to have ignorant people stress me out.
I haven't been well at all and my medication has stopped working for me because my body is too immune to them. I've been through soo many antidepressants none of them work because of the awful side effects. That's defeating the purpose.
Hi Judy, Thank you for responding back to me. I'm living with my boyfriend and he feels that we need our space and he wants me to get my own place. Also, I don't get along with his dad because he's an alchaholic and I can't be around people who drink. It's so sad that I'm being forced to sleep at a friend's house every weekend because my boyfriend's dad will not come to our house when I'm there.
This guy really needs to get a life and he needs to grow up. My boyfriend knows I'm not mentally or physically well. He's lucky that I didn't get into a car accident I was very upset when I was driving. I will admit I do have a good friend that cares about me. He says "Mel if you end up the hospital there will be hell to pay. Some people will be answering to my friend.
I've came so close of having a break down last week. Also I have high blood pressure do to stress which isn't good at all. I wished that my ex landlord didn't give me a negative verification. He had no reason to don't worry I believe in bad karma.
Hi again, the most important thing is to get a place thats quiet, as in now rows above, below or very noisy outside, some people thrive on that, Im sure youre not one of them. I have lived in tiny studios but I had peace of mind at the time, I have chosen not to tell landlords my business. Im presently in Govt. Subsides accomodation and there's a Stigma to that too !! However, those that matter dont mind and those that mind,dont matter. I cant afford the huge rents they charge now for Dog boxes. I wish you the best.