Cahnce of an older couple selling up and getting council property?

shazzy67

Hello All :j


I'm a bit premature with this(these) question(s) as it’s probably still a goodyear or so off, but my parents are in a bit of a bind (or potential bind)housing wise….

My folks (Dad age 57 and Mum age 67 – D is on disability due to a terminalillness which is being managed at the moment and M still works in a low paidjob to pay the bills) are currently in a great deal of debt (CCards) which theyare slowly paying off. This means late payments on their interest only mortgage(of which they only have @8 years remaining – with only @30 thousand equity –most probably never be able to get another mortgage – interest only orotherwise – they are also continually in their OD with the bank) and potentiallyfacing homelessness in the future.

They seem to be living a little in fantasy land of when the time comes theythink they’ll be able to get a retirement bungalow from the council (eventhough in my view if they manage to sell the property I think they would beclassed as making themselves intentionally homeless, even though I don’t thinkthey’ll have much choice).

So, my questions are – 1: what are the chances of them renewing theirinterest only mortgage with the mortgage providers (both on low/no income withvery basic pensions)? 2: saying they can’t get a mortgage, would they beeligible to apply for council housing? 3: I live in a 1 bed housing associationproperty with an occupancy limit of 2 people. If I really had to put them up, howlong grace do you think my housing association would give me with the overoccupancy issue?

Many thanks for any help/advice you could give me….

Shazzy

hcb42

It wont be easy, my Mum was adamant she was doing the same thing. She even nearly sold to one of those dodgy companies in the end that were trying to convince her that they would let her stay until she got the bungalow.....thankfully their house was paid off, so no debt issues, but they didnt have enough for a bungalow in their town.

I think the best approach would be to speak to the social services/medical team for advice on modifications perhaps or what their view would be in terms of the housing queue.

Any mortgage would be on new terms, it would be unlikely to get a new interest only mortgage with no income

I dont think I would be as worried about whether the housing association would give you grace as to how you would actually cope, is that any better than them staying put, with a few mods?

Are they getting enough benefits? Your Mum shouldnt be struggling at her age.

Have they/you reviewed their spending? Anywhere they can save a few pence on bills etc, possibly not I understand

vivatifosi

Have a read of this see if it puts things into perspective a bit more:
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/Documents/EN-GB/Factsheets/FS8_Council_and_housing_association_housing_fcs.pdf?dtrk=true

Given the special circumstances involving your dad, it may be worth speaking to some of the charities offering housing, or specialists in housing the elderly (in the not for profit sector). I helped my aunt get a place that was reserved for over 60s and there wasn't even a waiting list, but that was a few years back before the whole bedroom tax thing started messing with markets.

gazter

vivatifosi wrote: »

Have a read of this see if it puts things into perspective a bit more:
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/Documents/EN-GB/Factsheets/FS8_Council_and_housing_association_housing_fcs.pdf?dtrk=true

Given the special circumstances involving your dad, it may be worth speaking to some of the charities offering housing, or specialists in housing the elderly (in the not for profit sector). I helped my aunt get a place that was reserved for over 60s and there wasn't even a waiting list, but that was a few years back before the whole bedroom tax thing started messing with markets.

Actually it was the lack of a the spare room subsidy charge that messed with the markets. As HB was paid regardless of size of needed property there was no demand for smaller properties. This is unlike everyone's else's experience with the world whether private renting on benefits, private renting in work or mortgage holders.

witchy1066

I am sorry to hear of your parents situation but I doubt very much they will qualify for social housing ,
you/they need to concentrate on the best way forward in the home they are in,
the real problem seems to be their financial situation ,
seek advice , are they getting all the benefits they are entitled to ?
get them make a list of outgoings, incomings

contact CAB, age concern, and your fathers medical advisers
they should all be able to help