House becoming inhabitable - help available?

egems

*uninhabitable*

Hi, my father is in receipt of Employment and Support Allowance. He is 62 and owns his own home outright. The problem is the condition of his house. It is in a very poor state of repair, and only getting worse. The issues are:

• Leaking roof (buckets are needed to catch water)
• Guttering broken or missing
• Window frames rotting
• External doors draughty - back door is held together with cardboard and tape
• No hot water in kitchen or bathroom sinks - plumbing
• No waste pipe from kitchen sink - plumbing
• Chimney pot missing - fireplace cannot be used

He has had a new boiler fitted after receiving a grant (although he struggles to afford oil).

Family members are not in a position to help. Does anyone have any constructive advice? I have tried looking for grants but not found anything. Not sure if equity release would be an option because of the state of the place.

I'm worried his house will become uninhabitable within a year or two.

Thanks for taking the time to read.

pmlindyloo

I am sure this isn't what you want to hear but the best solution may be to sell it. Is there a mortgage on it?

To look for grants use this facility.

http://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/

Cheeky_Monkey

I agree that his best option is to sell it for whatever he can get for it, probably to a developer.

Bollotom

If your council can't (won't) help then your options are limited, have a read of the link below, but your CAB/Council/Age Concern are your best bet for such life changing advice.:cool:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/moving-and-improving-your-home/help-with-home-improvements/

GwylimT

A lot of buildings insurance policies would fix a leaking roof, has the source of the leak been identified? It is sometime as simple as replacing a handful of tiles. The issue is if he allows this to continue and a ceiling collapses he will not be insured, this could also cause a major issue if his home is not detached as it could cause damage to neighbouring properties.

Why does the hot water not work?

You can replace a downstairs waste pipe for around £25, very easy to do as well. I'm sure family could help with that.

Rotting windows is likely poor maintenance, if any are still in a decent condition make sure they are treated/painted on a regular basis. Some companies will replace glass for free in poorly insulated windows, the owner pays for the frames etc.

When you say chimney pot missing, do you mean it has fallen down, or it has simply been altered in the past so it cannot be used as an open fire?

PasturesNew

With his age/health combination it'd probably be better to sell it and buy something smaller/newer/warmer and just enjoy life rather than spending time trying to find money, or access money, or borrow money, followed by weeks/months of endless quotes, visits, work, disruption, upheaval, mess.

You might see it as "lost money" as it won't sell for as much as if the work had been done, but many 'developers' on homes under the hammer really just break even on what they've spent and the increased price they could theoretically get....after months of upheaval, work and mess.

NYM

I believe that there are Home Repair Assistance Grants available to people that are unable to secure a loan on a commercial basis but there is a limit on the amount you can get.

Local council or housing association grants

Other grants for your home (including for landlords) are available from your local council, such as the Home Repair Assistance Grant, or Housing Association (if you are a tenant of one). Anyone can apply but as councils can offer different funding, search for details on its website or contact them to ask for more information.

.....Be careful to check if there are any restrictions on council grants, as some need you to have lived in the property for a number of years or require you to repay part of the grant if you move within a certain timeframe.

tomtontom

Would supported or sheltered living be suitable for your father? If he struggles to maintain the property it would seem a good idea to sell up and move somewhere he doesn't have to worry about such things.

fed_up_and_stressed

GwylimT wrote: »

A lot of buildings insurance policies would fix a leaking roof, has the source of the leak been identified? It is sometime as simple as replacing a handful of tiles. The issue is if he allows this to continue and a ceiling collapses he will not be insured, this could also cause a major issue if his home is not detached as it could cause damage to neighbouring properties.

Why does the hot water not work?

You can replace a downstairs waste pipe for around £25, very easy to do as well. I'm sure family could help with that.

Rotting windows is likely poor maintenance, if any are still in a decent condition make sure they are treated/painted on a regular basis. Some companies will replace glass for free in poorly insulated windows, the owner pays for the frames etc.

When you say chimney pot missing, do you mean it has fallen down, or it has simply been altered in the past so it cannot be used as an open fire?

Insurance probably won't pay up for repairs if issues are down to failure to maintain a property.

bloolagoon

It seems uninhabitable now let alone in 2 years time. I would sell and move into rented. A developer will buy if the price reflects.

xylophone

Would a sale to a developer or somebody wanting a "doer -upper" provide enough to buy a one bedroom flat in his area?

If not, are there any council/housing association properties for the over 60's available in your area?

The sale proceeds would provide him with an income?