paying for a carers room at university

silvercar

You will face a major issue with council tax. Students are exempt from council tax, but others are not. If a property is shared by students and other adults, the other adults have the full liability for council tax less a 25% (single person) discount if there is only one non-student living in the property. Usually Halls of residence would not have a problem as all occupants would be students, but this carer will face a full liability for the council tax for the whole hall less 25%!

Oldernotwiser

lemonjelly wrote: »

A fair point, however I am hopeful that the camerarderie of students means that he can play as full a part as possible in student life. The university is 30 miles from his home town, and that journey is not practical on an ongoing basis, plus would probably be more expensive than halls!

Thansk to all for constructive posts!:T

I wouldn't put too much emphasis on the "camaraderie" student life; it doesn't always exist.

I'm sorry, but I can't see how a 60 mile round trip journey a few times a week could possibly cost more than halls accommodation even for one student, much less a student and carer, particularly when the car is available to him.

I don't mean to be awkward, I'm just puzzled.

bitsandpieces

silvercar wrote: »

You will face a major issue with council tax. Students are exempt from council tax, but others are not. If a property is shared by students and other adults, the other adults have the full liability for council tax less a 25% (single person) discount if there is only one non-student living in the property. Usually Halls of residence would not have a problem as all occupants would be students, but this carer will face a full liability for the council tax for the whole hall less 25%!

Always worth checking these things - but what generally happens is that a carers' room in halls would not be seen as any one carer's residence (it would likely be used by more than one carer, both having places of their own outside of halls).

mark1234567890

dmg24 wrote: »

Whilst I am all for disabled students being able to experience the whole uni lifestyle, I would question if halls are the right place for this student. However accessible the halls are, this does not take into account the actions/ lack of thought/ respect of the other students.

Most disabled people need more rest than a healthy person, especially a healthy student. It would be very difficult to create a suitable living environment living in such close proximity to other young people.

The student in question is likely to qualify for the one bedroom rate for LHA. I would look into getting a self contained unit, which could provide separate space for the student and their carer.

I would also question whether a car is needed when living on campus. Adapated halls accom tends to be very central, and campuses tend to have very good transport links (with public transport being accessible to those in wheelchairs).

Agreed.

Does the university not offer any alternative accommodation for disabled students that will have better facilities?

Can the council not help in finding accommodation in the local area?

Good luck

welf_man

silvercar wrote: »

You will face a major issue with council tax. Students are exempt from council tax, but others are not. If a property is shared by students and other adults, the other adults have the full liability for council tax less a 25% (single person) discount if there is only one non-student living in the property. Usually Halls of residence would not have a problem as all occupants would be students, but this carer will face a full liability for the council tax for the whole hall less 25%!

Halls of Residence have a special exemption, regardless of whether non-students live there.

Normally in this situation the carers' room would be paid for by Social Services, as part of the package of care - unless it is considered that commuting would suffice. Has the student talked to the University's Disability Service? They should be able to advise - and the Money Advice Service will know about Housing Benefit and possible charitable funding.

Mel.

mumps

I think it is one of those situations where you have to stand your ground to get the right package. I know someone (through my work) who is currently about to start final year of a degree course. They have needed round the clock support throughout university and he has had to fight to get the package he needed. He had an advocate in the end and everything was paid for by Social Services.

When my eldest son was at university he lived in halls, accommodation was arranged as flats, I think most were five or seven rooms, and some had special facilities for disabled students and facilities for carers. My son made some good friends, one of his closest friends was paralysed from the neck down and he got taken along to everything with the others. It was a very positive experience for him and he got a degree as well.

My daughter is at university now and the only students who can park on campus are disabled students so I assume it is common for disabled students to have cars.