Household costs in care-home

[Deleted User]

I have a query about something. I may be overthinking it.


I cared for my Mum for many years, but she recently moved into a care home - a wrench for both of us.


I remain in the house we both lived in while I cared for her. It is her house.


We split the costs of the house (council tax, utilities, etc) between us. Now she is in the care home, I pay all the costs - she has no outgoings apart from her care-home fees (self-funding for a couple of years). I am happy with this.


In recent conversations a couple of people have hinted (but not been specific) that she should still pay something towards the house - after all, it is still her house.


Suddenly, I don't know what “the done thing” is.


I don't want the situation where further down the line people start asking “why didn't you do such-and-such”?


What do others do in this situation?

Farway

Never been in this situation but if you are happy to leave as is then do so.

I assume the house will eventually pass to you or are there siblings etc who may also inherit? In which case perhaps they should chip in?

pineapple

OP I wouldn't expect her to pay but maybe that's just me. Apart from things like structural repairs.
If you took the line 'her house so her responsibility' - by the same token she would be within her rights to charge you rent (I assume you don't pay rent?).
But there are a whole load of other considerations regarding the possible treatment of the home as capital in the future. I would talk to an independent agency like CareAware http://careaware.co.uk/
They were very helpful re my own situation with my parents.

Keep_pedalling

I would not worry about what other people think should happen. Some might say you should be paying her rent at full market rate, so I think you should be paying all running costs as you are the only one benefiting from the house at the moment.

If you have siblings then you ought to formalise any arrangement with your mother, to prevent any possible difficulties where inheritance to others may be effected.

PS. Do you have power of attorney on your mothers finances?

PasturesNew

Of course she shouldn't pay anything towards the house, she's not living there. Anybody who said that is nuts.

You're benefitting from the set up that she's created over many years - you will be paying buildings insurance to protect what will "be yours" one day. Small price to pay.

All the bills should be down to you as you are the sole user.

[Deleted User]

Thanks for your replies.
As I said, I'm happy with the situation as it is - I live there, I pay.
Some people may be trying to sow a few seeds of doubt - they will be ignored.
No other siblings are involved and I do have power of attorney.

Newly_retired

I am wondering what age you are. If your mum's money for self-funding should run out and she has to have a financial assessment for help to cover her fees, then the value of her house would be taken into consideration. The time could come when, unless you are over 60, you might lose the right to stay in the house.
I am no expert on this, but Age Uk are a good port of call.

Sjmb

Perhaps what people are referring to is in regard to any financial assessment she may have. If I recall correctly, at the point where there is a financial assessment of her income ( carried out by social services if you are claiming financial support due to savings limit being reached) then you are allowed to deduct any costs incurred in maintaining her share of the family home.

[Deleted User]

Not sure about "lose the right to stay in the house". I do know I will need to consult an IFA who specialises in care-funding long-term before too long.

pineapple

richsaver wrote: »

Not sure about "lose the right to stay in the house". I do know I will need to consult an IFA who specialises in care-funding long-term before too long.

Please contact CareAware sooner rather than later. This is exactly what they do.
http://www.careaware.co.uk/get-advice
They will give you free, competent, unbiased advice on finance, funding, fees, legalities etc and tell you if there are any measures you should be taking now.
They were very helpful re a complex situation with my parents.

[Deleted User]

CareAware looks interesting. An email soon I think.