anyone been in this situation and can advise

moneybags_3

I am to move into a house that I have taken out a small mortgage for, but I have (because of chronic health problems and age) been offered a nice bedsit in accommodation for the over 55s. I will have to pay both mortgage and rent - I do not receive benefits and at present I can afford the payments although I would not want to be in that position for too long. I was thinking of trying the bedsit accommodation. I had applied for this type of accommodation years ago and was surprised when I got the offer. I was thinking of trying it for a few months and if I am happy there put the house up for sale. Any advice would be appreciated

bloolagoon

I don't see why not it seems very sensible to me.

Your house can be disregarded for 6 months if selling and you need housing benefit which is income based.

BobQ

Seems like a good idea to me. Try it and find out if it suits knowing that you have a place to return to if you want to do so.

Are you going to let the house for 6 months? If so you will need the mortgage holder's permission.

Also if the house is lefy empty for 6 months the insurer may be concerned. If the bed sit is close by you might try spending a little time in both!

moneybags_3

The sheltered accommodation is not far from my house, so I was thinking of dividing my time between both of them. I do not want to rent out my house and I think that if necessary I can change my mortgage to an interest only mortgage for a period of time. This is an opportunity for me to try living in an environment which I would imagine is quiet and peaceful and I am not isolated and can easily summon help if I become ill etc.

System

Don't forget you will also have to pay your council tax /utilities.

carefullycautious

Hello again moneybags how did you manage to get the offer of the sheltered accomodation when you were offered temporary in your last post. Even I am amazed how quick this has materialised.

:T
You can't own a home and have local authority accomodation, I thought that the reason you needed LA was because your house purchase was no longer on, very confused

Yorkie1

moneybags wrote: »

The sheltered accommodation is not far from my house, so I was thinking of dividing my time between both of them. I do not want to rent out my house and I think that if necessary I can change my mortgage to an interest only mortgage for a period of time. This is an opportunity for me to try living in an environment which I would imagine is quiet and peaceful and I am not isolated and can easily summon help if I become ill etc.

Don't make any plans based on this assumption. Lenders are much more wary of IO mortgages these days and frequently refuse such applications.

dodger1

Obviously a personal choice but I couldn't live in a bedsit, just not enough room having the bed in the living area. I also live in an over 55s block but have a nice one bedroom flat.

Tried the bedsit thing in my 20s absolutely hated it, each to their own though.

squinty

carefullycautious wrote: »

You can't own a home and have local authority accomodation, I thought that the reason you needed LA was because your house purchase was no longer on, very confused

This may not be true - it depends entirely on the local authority.

However, you do need to check what the local rules are. This is important as if your Council has a rule that prevents owner occupiers from being offered accommodation, and you did not make them aware that you had recently purchased - they may treat your housing application as fraudulent and seek to evict you.

carefullycautious

squinty wrote: »

This may not be true - it depends entirely on the local authority.

However, you do need to check what the local rules are. This is important as if your Council has a rule that prevents owner occupiers from being offered accommodation, and you did not make them aware that you had recently purchased - they may treat your housing application as fraudulent and seek to evict you.

You have said succinctly what I was trying to say thank you.

moneybags_3

Where I live it does not matter whether or not a person is a home owner or rent payer, if that person is over 55, has a chronic medical condition etc and applies for it, they can be offered sheltered accommodation. Of course paying the rent is means tested. If a person has a house and sells it then that person has capital so must pay the rent. If like me a person has an occupational pension of a given limit they must also pay the rent. Each person is assessed against the criteria. I fitted the criteria in that I am over 55 and have a chronic medical condition. I receive no benefits at all because of an occupational pension which is just above benefit level.