Any way around 'over 50s only' for a homeswap?

Ygritte

I'm trying to find a suitable homeswap for myself to downsize to a one bed and be closer to family.

I have mobility issues so really need ground floor and, in an ideal world, would like to still have a garden.

A perfect one bed bungalow has come up, on a regular street, but it says the property is for over 50s only. I'm almost 39.

Is there any way around this? Anyone have experience of them making an exception? I have no children and am pretty quiet.

marliepanda

Have you asked them?

fishpond

As posted above

Ygritte

No not yet. Only just got the email from the person today and obviously the offices are closed till Monday. Just wanted to see if anyone had any experience of it.

G_M

Ygritte wrote: »

....
A perfect one bed bungalow has come up, on a regular street, but it says the property is for over 50s only. I'm almost 39.
What does 'it says' mean? Who says? Is this in the Title Deeds or what?

Is there any way around this? Anyone have experience of them making an exception? I have no children and am pretty quiet.

'them making an exception?' Who is 'them'?

marliepanda

Ygritte wrote: »

No not yet. Only just got the email from the person today and obviously the offices are closed till Monday. Just wanted to see if anyone had any experience of it.

There will probably be people who have been given them, in areas where properties for over 50s outweigh the demand for them.

There will also be people who have been refused. There are obvious issues with allowing even quiet 39 year olds into such properties.

I imagine if there are over 50s looking for such properties you will be lower on the list.

Ygritte

G_M wrote: »

'them making an exception?' Who is 'them'?

The landlord. And 'it says' refers to the advert on homeswapper.

moneyistooshorttomention

Are "the landlord" the Council presumably?

Have you had a word with a local Councillor to explain your circumstances and ask what they think your chances are of this?

I know that, many years back, I got a local Councillor "on side" with the difficulties I was having in getting Council housing (ie being a childless person under retirement age at the time). It was pretty helpful - indeed they explained the system to me much more clearly than just the standard advice I was actually given in all seriousness of "Have a child". That was the way some people (ie the f*ckless) in that case managed to leap the queue ahead of the responsible people at the time. But this particular responsible person (ie myself) did get a useful helping hand then.

Mojisola

Make your case to them. I have a 30-something friend who has a bungalow in a small unit designed for the 'elderly' - his health needs mean he is less mobile and has to have more care than the other residents who are more than twice his age.

moneyistooshorttomention

Mojisola wrote: »

Make your case to them. I have a 30-something friend who has a bungalow in a small unit designed for the 'elderly' - his health needs mean he is less mobile and has to have more care than the other residents who are more than twice his age.

My point precisely as to how the system "may" work in actual fact.

Of course - someone who is over 50 may trump you still. Definitely someone who is both over 50 and ill will trump you. It is the case that a huge proportion of British people over 50 do have one or more chronic illnesses - but you don't know the proportions of healthy and ill over 50s on the list and the odds may (or may not) be in your favour.

You don't know if you don't ask.

davidmcn

The landlord might not have discretion - the age limit could be a result of a planning condition, or a covenant in the title, or a superior landlord.