Help ! - Mum's garage is falling down...

Kev64

Hi,

My 78 yr old mother, who is receiving Pension Credit and Disability Living Allowance (higher rate), has a problem with her garage. Basically, it's been condemned by a builder as unsafe and the buildings insurance inspector warned her that it's in danger of imminent collapse, and that they won't cover it as the problem is down to poor construction methods. It's a big, old, double garage made of breeze blocks, backing onto a public road, so she's personally liable if it collapses and injures anyone.

The builder (whom I trust) has said the only option is to demolish it and either rebuild, or just put up a wall instead. The former would cost around £4,500 and the latter, between £1,500 and £1,800.

I'm up to my eyeballs in debt myself, and my mum (a widow) has no money or savings, and actually still owes a chunk on the mortgage.

What can we do ? She has contacted the DSS who advised her she might be able to apply for a 'Budgeting Loan' of max £1,500, but that is was unlikely she would get it.

Can anyone suggest anything ?

Many thanks,

Kev.

macman

I can't help you on the garage, but who sold a mortgage to your mother that would run to 18 years or more beyond her retirement age?

pookienoodle

ask your council about a housing repair grant.
http://www.hertsmere.gov.uk/housing/housinggrantschemes/housingrepairsassistancegrants.jsp
they should be able to help.

Kev64

Thanks Pookienoodle, I didn't realise such grants were available. I've just emailed my local council to ask.

Cheers !

Kev64

macman wrote: »

I can't help you on the garage, but who sold a mortgage to your mother that would run to 18 years or more beyond her retirement age?

It's a long story. My dad remortgaged the house, and when he died in '96, the life insurance was only enough to pay off his bank overdraft and leave barely a couple of thousand left over. I don't really know much about this to be honest. I didn't realise until a few years later that my mum had paid off his debts, but, without knowing the details, I can't honestly say why she still owes roughly £25k on the house.

Actually, thinking about it - it does sound rather odd doesn't it ? I thought that in order to remortgage, you had to have enough life insurance to cover it ? I don't understand how the bank got their hands on the money first. I ought to question her about it, but she gets upset. Would the life insurance have paid the money directly to her, or to the building society ?

ormus

why does she need the garage? cant you just demolish it?
far cheaper solution.

Mankysteve

I think that was latter option with same built. Is it attached the house? If not just ask a couple of mates for a favour and carefully do it yourself. Put in a fence rather than a brick wall. would be cheaper. unless of course its part of the building

savemoney

The housing repair grant can vary my council will put a charge on your home regardless of income

wallbash

I would go with ormus suggestion, with one other idea.

But demolish the back wall , only down to the last 4 feet.
I.e saves the cost of a fence ,

Kiran

If its a single storey structure which is not attached to the house then as others are saying it is quite possible to do some DIY demolition. You will need to be careful in the order you take it down especially if it has been condemed. Make sure the roof doesn't contain asbestos first and also make sure when you are knocking the back down that you knock it into her property. Don't be tempted to take any one wall away completely as you will leave the structure unstable and although it is more time consuming work around the building taking down a few courses at a time. As Wallbash says you can leave the bottom of the rear of the structure to act as a garden wall and do any remedial works required to stabalise it.

You can either dispose of the rubble buy hiring a skip or by taking it to your local recycling centre.

If you feel confident and competent its definitely worth a go, if not you may have to go the professional route.

Good Luck

hewhoisnotintheknow

push it over and slowly get rid of the bits and put a cheap fence up

the last thing your old mum needs is the cost or builders building something she probably will never use

When she dies you can then think about rebuilding it.