Deferred payment scheme

LaurenGrace44

Hi,

I wonder if anyone can help or has a similar experience. My grandfather is in a care home, his savings have now depleted so I'm applying for the deferred payment scheme via the council until the property has sold. 
My two main concerns are: we don't get approved for the loan (it's a fairly low value property in a retirement building), what happens then, how can he fund his care? Funding it myself is not an option. And secondly on the council website it says the loan is repaid when my grandfather dies, which is to be expected, but they only give the executor of the will (me) 90 days to pay! If the property is not sold there's no way I can pay what could be thousands within this timeframe. How enforceable is this? I'm panicking I'm going to be taken to court of have bailiffs turning up for a debt that will be paid but just not in this timeframe! 
This must happen to lots of people but I can't seem to get any information.

I hope someone can give me advice or tell me about their experiences. 

Thanks

Keep_pedalling

The estate is responsible for the debt, you as an executor are not going to be held personally responsible for it, unless you do something really silly like sell the house of half its actual value. If you can’t pay in 90 days because the house has not been sold you will be given more time, although interest will be racking up for any delay.

Unfortunately the type of property he owns are often very difficult to sell.

xylophone

Was there any reason why the property was not put on the market as soon as Grandfather went into care?


https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/deferred-payment-agreements-for-long-term-care

LaurenGrace44

He was initially funded by the NHS for 10 weeks after a discharge from hospital. It was then decided he would stay in the care home. The property was then put on the market and has been for 2 months, unfortunately these types of properties are not selling quickly, hence the need for the deferred payment loan. 

Brie

Sorry that you are finding it difficult.  Been there, still doing that!

But don't despair.  Some people with the council can be selfcentred insensitive prats.  And others are understanding and nice.  Hopefully you will be dealing with nice ones but should you get into any problems when it comes time to settle up do get hold of your local councilor. 

My MiL was told she had to leave hospital "immediately" and that a care home was the only alternative (turned out it wasn't), that it wouldn't cost her anything (but we received a huge bill) but on the chance she should recover sufficiently to return home the council would prep her home with everything she needed within 4 weeks (and it's now 4 years later). 

After several weeks of ever increasing threats for collections for outstanding fees my other half wrote a stonkingly stern letter to the council and copied in the local NHS trust and the our local councilor.  The councilor's office phoned almost immediately and got the money issues resolved.  Because we and MiL had been lied to there was nothing to be paid.  And the complete renovation of the entire house that social services were suggesting were dismissed as completely ridiculous.  

LaurenGrace44

Thanks for sharing your experience, it's so tough isn't it? I've had many other issues I won't go in to but sometimes it does feel no-one is on your side. 
I hadn't thought of contacting the local councillor, I hope it won't come to that but it's good to know, so thank you!