Renting to a disabled relative

Mojisola

dantroberts wrote: »

I have considered asking her to rent from a private landlord - but with the modifications and her needs its very unlikely many are on offer. The other solution is sheltered housing which I am very dubious about.

The ideal solution would be for me to buy a property, adapt it to her needs and let it out to her - but I'm not sure if she would be able to claim rent/housing allowance?

I don't understand why it's alright for someone like your Mum to claim housing benefit and, through the rent, pay Joe Bloggs' mortgage but a bad thing for her to claim HB and pay you rent.

There might be some people who would push relatives into unsuitable accommodation just to claim the HB but people misuse all sorts of other benefits - if the necessary checks were put in place, misuse could be kept to a minimum.

Your best plan is to look for sheltered housing of some sort.

witchy1066

Hi , sorry to read about your situation,
first and foremost you must get your mum assessed by her Dr and social services, they will then determine her needs,
you next step (hopefully with social services on your side) make an appointment to speak to someone in your local council , most councils have already adapted property for the disabled and if not in some cases will adapt the property accordingly, many councils also have special sheltered housing with apartments that are coming available all the time, you might not get one straight away but once on the list it can in some areas be quite quick, some are dependant on how much health care she needs,
even if she doesn't need health care at the moment it may be wise to put her name down now for the future (does that make sense?)

OP use the services available, that is what they are there for, contact as many voluntary organisations as you can,
one of them may come up with a solution

I have just helped to place an elderly couple in an annex of a large farm house , that was being advertised for rent "professional couples only" the landlord even said he will keep an eye on them to make sure they are ok

hope it all works out for you and your mum

hoo

Hi OP, have a look at www.housingcare.org/housing-care it's got some really good facilities for over 55's. NOT care homes but housing with care schemes (her own self contained flat but the option of care is there if she needs it). Not sure where you are in greater London but there are 155 schemes in that area and some are housing association and some are private. This could be a realistic option and worth looking into.

Hoo

dantroberts

Hello - Thank You all for all your thoughts; I've taken your advice onboard and contacted MIND - they are going to help me with getting an assessment sorted and hopefully weigh up more options for us both! It's quite heartening to know and have some of your support and ideas on board - and even some other options not considered or even known about!

Yorkie1

Good luck to you all.

witchy1066

OP all the best to you and your mum
and don't forget there is plenty of help available not always the obvious

xxx