When you’re facing nights on a cold pavement or crammed into a friend’s spare room, overcoming homelessness to secure long term rental stability can feel like a distant dream. But for Sarah, a single mum from Birmingham, it became a reality through patient planning, a bit of support, and a determination that refused to quit.
If you’re facing eviction or housing insecurity, it’s vital to get help early. The Tenant Protection Scheme (TPS) is a key place to turn — offering reliable legal support and guidance to help renters navigate housing issues safely and with confidence.
Overcoming Homelessness to Secure Long Term Rental Stability: Sarah’s Journey to a Safe Home
Two years ago, Sarah was evicted after falling behind on rent. A relationship breakdown and the loss of her part-time catering job tipped the scales. She and her two young children found themselves on the council’s emergency housing list. “We had nothing,” she explains. “My kids thought we were on some sort of holiday at first. But each day we stayed in that B&B, it hit harder that we were homeless.”
While emergency accommodation gave them a temporary roof, it wasn’t sustainable. No access to a kitchen meant eating cold meals, and cramped quarters left little space for her children to play or do homework. Sarah mentions, “I was grateful we weren’t on the street, but it wasn’t a place to raise my children long term.”
Finding Support and Learning Her Rights Was the Game-Changer
Sarah’s turning point came when a housing caseworker referred her to a charity that provided tenants with advice about their rights. They helped her understand the rehousing process, including how bidding worked on social housing lists and what documents she needed to strengthen her case. Most importantly, they helped her speak up. “I didn’t know I was allowed to question things, or ask for better. I thought I had to just wait and stay quiet,” she shared.
Through workshops, Sarah learned how to prepare a proper renting application, budget her benefits towards household bills and rent, and spot red flags with landlords. She also got connected with a scheme that guarantees rent for private landlords when they agree to house someone coming out of homelessness.
The Tenant Protection Scheme (TPS) is a 24/7 tenant legal helpline offering affordable, solicitor-backed help for eviction defence, disrepair, harassment, rent arrears, deposit disputes, and on-the-day court support across the UK. Membership is £10/month. Learn more at The Tenant Protection Scheme (TPS).
What Made Lasting Stability Possible
After eight months of searching and several short-term lets that fell through, Sarah was offered a 12-month tenancy with a local landlord part of a landlord partnership scheme. And this time, she had everything set up. She had budgeting help, her housing benefit sorted, and direct support if any problem cropped up. The landlord felt supported by the scheme too. “He knew if anything went wrong, there was a backup in place,” Sarah said.
After a full year of paying rent on time and maintaining the property well, the landlord extended Sarah’s agreement into a rolling tenancy. That’s when she felt true relief. “I could finally put my kids’ artwork on the walls. We weren’t going to have to leave again.”
What Others Can Learn About Overcoming Homelessness to Secure Long Term Rental Stability
Sarah’s story is proof that it’s possible to rebuild housing security, even after the most difficult setbacks. If you or someone you know is in a similar situation, here’s what her experience highlights:
- Don’t stay silent: Ask questions and demand clear answers about your rights, even if the system feels overwhelming.
- Connect with housing advisors: Local councils, housing charities, and tenant support groups often offer free guidance that can open new doors.
- Look into landlord guarantee schemes: These can encourage private landlords to offer longer-term tenancies, since their financial risk is reduced.
- Build a track record: Even while you’re in temporary accommodation, keeping copies of payments and correspondence can help show a landlord you’re a reliable tenant.
Overcoming homelessness to secure long term rental stability isn’t about luck. It’s about a system that starts working for people rather than against them, backed by the courage to fight for something better. Sarah’s life today has routine, laughter, and a dining table where they eat together as a family — simple things many people take for granted, but for her, they’re hard-won signs of success.
Call The Tenant Protection Scheme today on 0330 633 0299 Don’t wait until it’s too late – start your protection now. For just a small monthly cost you get direct legal support from experts, with your membership active within 24 hours. Call us now to start your protection today.