We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide
73 year old father - rental options?
breaking_free
Posts: 780 Forumite
Asking for advice as I haven't a clue where to start looking.
My 73 year old father is currently staying in my spare bedroom. The last time he rented in England was well over 10 years ago. The location isn't particularly important (he's not fussy), but neither he nor I know what options are out there.
I've been looking on Spareroom.co.uk and most of what I can find are rooms in shared houses with young people or professionals. I think a bedsit would be the best option as he wouldn't be interested in hanging out in a shared lounge. He likes to keep himself to himself and won't be entertaining guests, hence why I think a bedsit is the best choice. I'll be helping him with rent money so that's not a problem, I just don't know what websites I should be looking at.
He's planning on sticking around in the UK for a few years so needs something long term (he's English by the way).
Any advice?
My 73 year old father is currently staying in my spare bedroom. The last time he rented in England was well over 10 years ago. The location isn't particularly important (he's not fussy), but neither he nor I know what options are out there.
I've been looking on Spareroom.co.uk and most of what I can find are rooms in shared houses with young people or professionals. I think a bedsit would be the best option as he wouldn't be interested in hanging out in a shared lounge. He likes to keep himself to himself and won't be entertaining guests, hence why I think a bedsit is the best choice. I'll be helping him with rent money so that's not a problem, I just don't know what websites I should be looking at.
He's planning on sticking around in the UK for a few years so needs something long term (he's English by the way).
Any advice?
"The problem with Internet quotes is that you can't always depend on their accuracy" - Abraham Lincoln, 1864
0
Comments
-
What are his financial circumstances? Does he have any health problems which require sheltered housing, for example?
Why a bedsit rather than a one bed flat?
Has he just returned from living abroad?0 -
Thanks for replying.
- Financial circumstances are that he is drawing a standard pension and I'll be topping up his rent to whatever is required
- Zero health problems
- A one bedroom flat would be fine, I just hadn't thought about it (which is why I need advice :-) )
- Yes he's been living abroad, hence why he's shacking up with me for the moment."The problem with Internet quotes is that you can't always depend on their accuracy" - Abraham Lincoln, 18640 -
Financial circumstances are that he is drawing a standard pension and I'll be topping up his rent to whatever is required
May he be entitled to Pension Credit? May he be entitled to housing benefit?
Is there any housing association property/sheltered housing/ almshouse type property for which he may be eligible?0 -
Xylophone, he may well be entitled to all sorts of things but we need some serious spoon feeding to get started. For example, where do we go to find out if he is eligible for housing association, etc?
My dad's not the most Internet savvy (though I told him to look at the Age UK website while I'm at work today) and as for me, well I'm neither English nor retired, so I don't have the background knowledge to know where to start looking.
ETA: We're in Hertfordshire if that helps."The problem with Internet quotes is that you can't always depend on their accuracy" - Abraham Lincoln, 18640 -
You / He can search for flats on Zoopla & Rightmove, they cover properties to rent as well as to buy.
Contact local letting agents (or local agents in the area(s) where he is planning to live.All posts are my personal opinion, not formal advice Always get proper, professional advice (particularly about anything legal!)0 -
-
He is very likely to be entitled to housing benefit - ring the local council, explain his circumstances and ask.0
-
He could possibly be considered for a council or HA property intended for the over 60's, so I'd advise he gets on the waiting list or at least make inquiries. These properties become available much more than a flat available to all tenants do.The bigger the bargain, the better I feel.
I should mention that there's only one of me, don't confuse me with others of the same name.0 -
Chances of a local authority/ housing is slim if he has no care needs.
Best bet is a private let - contact local estate agents.
He may be entitled to housing benefit. Use: http://www.entitledto.co.uk/ to check.
If he is on housing benefit this may limit his rental options, so check with the letting agent that they accept 'DSS'.
0 -
He could make an appointment at CAB and ask for a benefits check.
Re Pension Credit
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/Documents/EN-GB/Factsheets/FS48_Pension_Credit_fcs.pdf?dtrk=true0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 354.2K Banking & Borrowing
- 254.3K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 455.3K Spending & Discounts
- 247.2K Work, Benefits & Business
- 603.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 178.4K Life & Family
- 261.3K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards