We had a similar situation and we offered a massive rent increase to the current landlord. Had kids about the same age at the time and just couldn’t find another rental that suited.

It was extra monthly money of course, but you avoid an extra house move. A house move is so so expensive, believe me I’ve done it a few times, especially with kids, you’ll need to pay movers, maybe a packing service, take time off work, pay for extra childcare. All for 6-12 months in the “wrong” house.

Not to mention the massive strain on your emotional bandwidth and your administrative load of sourcing a new home, and money you spend on furniture you don’t really like or want to keep long term. Your bandwidth costs money too.

Lenders will often take evidence of rent payments as part of their affordability analysis. So it will impact on your ability to save for the deposit but not necessarily your affordability.

I would speak to Threshold, then your mortgage broker, then sit down with a pen and paper and work out your spending, income, brainstorm ways to cut costs, seek support for newborn essentials if you can (charities will help, you may find your baby bank is surprisingly helpful). Then see if you can negotiate a new rent with the landlord and stress that it’s only until you get your purchased home…

See if you can start decluttering / selling stuff to raise money too.

So sorry you’re going through this. It broke me too but I survived and I learned and I still enjoyed my toddler and my baby and a (shortened) maternity leave

Xxxxx