Worried about the future.

swingaloo

Think I just want offload as Im getting myself into quite a state.

Situation is we had to sell our house 8 years ago to avoid what would have probably ended up a repossesion scenario.

I had always owned my own home but lost one when my marriage ended and then later in life when I met my current partner we bought together but due to the fact that we were older we had a shorter number of years to pay and therefore higher monthly payments.

We moved into rented property, the 2 of us and also my adult daughter who works but is on the minimum age so cant afford to move out and set up alone and has also got serious health issues which makes it likely she will probably always live with us.

The problem is that we were given a long term tenancy, we have been in the same house 8 years but now think that when the tenancy ends later this year the landlord may be selling the property so we will have to move.

Since moving in hubby has become disabled and is unable to tackle anything physical which will make moving home difficult. At the moment we are in the perfect house with separate living accommodation for us and my daughter, a downstairs loo for my hubby as that is now vital and an ideal location.
Im in my mid 60s and not in that good health myself. There is a slight chance that we may be offered another 3 or 5 years if the house does not go up for sale but even if that happens it i just going to mean facing up to moving when Im 70!

Ive looked at houses going for rent just to get an idea of whats out there, we have an excellent doctor and thats another reason we would like to stay in the area we live in now.

What frightens me is that there is nothing comparable to what we have that would suit our needs, all the social housing tends to be flats or very rough areas a few miles away. I really do not want to live in a flat as we would be unlikely to get one large enough for the 3 of us (at the moment we have a sitting room and daughter has her own) and my husband could not manage stairs.

We rent privately at the moment and if we have to move will still look at private rental but its the uncertainty that frightens me. The fact that we could be there 6 months and then have to move on again.

I think its just because Im getting older and hubby is now disabled that i feel like this, I just want the security of knowing I have a home and I can stay in it indefinitely but obviously that does not happen with renting and as goes on its going to get harder and harder physically to make a house move.

Dont know what I expect people to say, I just needed to get it out!

pmlindyloo

What a worrying time for you.

What are your financial circumstances. Are any of you working?

My immediate thoughts are sheltered housing but am unsure whether your daughter would be allowed in such accommodation.

So, basically two separate issues.

Either you go for private renting which obviously has the pitfall of not being secure or you could try social housing through your council (but again, you don't seem too keen on the idea)

Or you could enquire about sheltered housing for the over 6os in your area - the council may be able to help with this and your daughter finds her own place to rent, maybe close to you.

Hopefully, others may have some other suggestions.

swingaloo

Thanks lindyloo.
Hubby is on benefits and a small work pension as he is not old enough for the state pension yet. Daughter is working but would struggle to manage financially on her own (no partner or anyone to share with) very much a loner and not a confident or healthy person. I doubt she would manage completely alone to be honest.

Many quite serious health issues to consider as well). Im semi retired, work mornings and get state pension.
Social housing is the way to go for security but Ive been looking at the options for ages and it seems to get offered a house you need at least 3 children otherwise its flats which, no disrespect to anyone living in one, would be my worst nightmare. I love my little garden and being able to put my washing out etc.

I expect we will need to go for private renting again but its the having to keep moving on as we get older thats scary.

LEJC

Has the LL communicated to you that its their intention to sell....maybe you could set up a meeting with them to discuss your options once the tenancy expires.

Maybe if the LL were to know that you are happy there then the need to sell may not be an issue,afterall unless the LL needs their capital from the house there is little point changing the situation if both you are happy and the property is being lived in and looked after.

if you speak now then there is a chance that the uncertainty can be addressed before the tenancy end and if indeed it is the LL intention to sell at least you are then in possession of the proper facts.

its very unusual to have long term tenancies,I'm a LL and would love someone who stayed more than a couple of years...so really its advantageous for both parties to have good long term tenants

swingaloo

LEJC wrote: »

Has the LL communicated to you that its their intention to sell....maybe you could set up a meeting with them to discuss your options once the tenancy expires.

Maybe if the LL were to know that you are happy there then the need to sell may not be an issue,afterall unless the LL needs their capital from the house there is little point changing the situation if both you are happy and the property is being lived in and looked after.

if you speak now then there is a chance that the uncertainty can be addressed before the tenancy end and if indeed it is the LL intention to sell at least you are then in possession of the proper facts.

its very unusual to have long term tenancies,I'm a LL and would love someone who stayed more than a couple of years...so really its advantageous for both parties to have good long term tenants

Thank you for the reply. We do intend to speak to them next month as that will still give us 3 months to start looking for somewhere. Its actually owned by a property company who own properties nationwide and so we only ever speak to the office staff when we pay the rent.
They haven't said they are going to sell but they owned 4 houses in our road and for some reason they have sold the other 3 over the last 3 years. None of the other tenants were offered a long term tenancy though. Our rent is paid on the dot every month and we never hassle them for anything, we have even flagged front and back (with their permission of course).

We are hoping that if we offer to stay indefinitely they may go along with it, its just the uncertainty.

vet8

I am afraid I cannot offer any really good advice, but I just wanted to say how much I sympathised with you. I feel really sorry for anyone who has to rent as where I live the cost of renting is far higher than an average mortgage and you get this uncertainty.


My father lived in accommodation which he rented from his employer, when he was made redundant he was also evicted. Too old for another job and too poor to buy a house he went to the council to ask about a council house and the little b*****d behind the desk actually laughed in his face and said he could put him on the bottom of the housing list in 3 years time, even if my father was on the street they could not help - useless.


I just wish you lots of luck.

Cakeguts

This is what I would like to suggest. Your daughter is entitled to have her own accommodation over a certain age so I think you need to see if you can sort out something for her now. Local council/ social services might help. It is important that she starts to become independent from you so that if you become ill her life doesn't change dramatically.

You could then contact your council about retirement housing. There tends to be less demand on social housing for retired people so it probably won't be in the same area as the other council housing. You can also contact a housing association. Some of them have retirement housing.