Homeshare schemes for the elderly

roadweary

Hi,

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum, but my mum is elderly and lonely, and we are considering homeshare for her.  Essentially an organisation such as twogenerations, but there are many similar, find younger individuals who are happy to share the home in exchange for providing some company for the householder.

I was keen to understand the legal basis of the homesharer.  They pay a monthly fee to the organisation as would my mother.  Reading through their terms and conditions they are essentially an introductory service.  Also, the contract says it doesn't intend to create a tenancy.  There is a 4-week notice period to terminate stated.  But the contract doesn't reference any kind of law / or legal act:

Homesharing is an unpaid arrangement. The Homeshare agreement cannot be treated as and does not create a contract of employment.

The Homesharer occupies their room on a licence arrangement and pays no rent. Neither party has any intention to create a tenancy.

So, my concern is what would happen if somebody refused to move out....at any stage, while my mother is alive and well, or go forbid should she pass away at some time in the future.

I know that tenants have all kinds or rights......but I don't know the legal basis the homesharer would be afforded by virtue of moving into the house.....but not paying rent as such.

Does anyone have any experience / ideas about this.  It just feels like I should understand this before going any further.

Thanks,
R

youth_leader

I'm 66 and lonely and would never consider this.  Is your Mum on board with it?

 I've researched assisted living - and if I need nursing, a nursing home.  What does she think of assisted living?

elsien

It will probably be a license to occupy, and the license can be terminated at any point in line with its terms and conditions. 

https://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/renting/introduction_to_security_of_tenure/what_is_a_licence

If the person refused to go after any agreed notice had been given your mother could change the locks and lock them out as long as she gave them reasonable access to collect their belongings. Quite commonly used in hostels (for example) where a tenancy is not appropriate. Or not wanted.

They don’t pay the rent, so how does it work with extra costs for utilities or your mum losing her council tax discount for example? I am surprised they don’t pay anything.

ETA just checked two generations website and it says the person can make a contribution towards bills. I suppose that will be a matter of negotiation, depending on what household chores etc they might be helping with, if any.

elsien

youth_leader said:

I'm 66 and lonely and would never consider this.  Is your Mum on board with it?

 I've researched assisted living - and if I need nursing, a nursing home.  What does she think of assisted living?

I have read a newspaper article sometime ago now about exactly this arrangement, and for some people, it can work very well. 

As with anything, everyone needs to be really clear about what should I get in in to unlock the expectations are and how to resolve any disputes before they get out of hand.
https://amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/mar/16/homeshare-unlikely-housemates

youth_leader

Thank you @elsien, I'll have a read.

FreeBear

Whilst not elderly or infirm myself, I do (did) get lonely. Looking at the twogenerations web site, I have to ask just who is being taken advantage of - Both parties have to pay a fee to twogenerations, and the homeowner doesn't get any of the cash to pay for higher bills. I'd have to nope out of that straight away.

However, having a lodger can be a rewarding experience (even if they do return unexpectedly a couple of years later), and you get up to £7500 per year tax free in rent. If one takes on a lodger and needs help around the home, expectations need to be made very clear from the start if using spareroom or similar.

roadweary

I hadn't intended to get into the suitability of the homesharer scheme.  But for context, a lodger / tenant might work for someone who is physically and mentally fitter than is true in this case.

It is also true to say that through research and references I have formed the view that Two Generation's selection, matching and vetting process is beyond anything than we could undertake for a lodger.  And a lodger has no obligation to spend quality time supporting the home owner - they are paying for a place to live in and lead their own lives.

The amount paid by the homeowner is very low.  The amount paid by the homesharer would not even pay for a room in a very shabby property in the location being discussed.  The house is constantly kept warm and we do not believe that utilities will significantly increase.  There is also every chance that a non-paying homesharer will not change the council tax situation but we will look into that.

Having discussed the background of the potential homesharer with Two Generations, and whilst they are undergoing various personal, work and DBS checks, we have had an hour long video call with them to learn more about them and for questionning and expectation setting in both directions.  The next stage is for an in person meeting with the family at my mother's house.

Alternatives at this stage are unpalatable to my mother.  She doesn't want to move from the property.  She doesn't want an authority appointed carer or even a live in carer and we have had bad experiences of this for family members in the past.  Moving into a home is even worse.

We feel this affords her more independent time with the comfort of a live in companion.....just knowing that somebody is around is a help.

And whilst finances are not driving this path, costs associated with other forms of care are exponentially greater.

Most importantly my mother is quite positive about this all....but nothing is decided as yet.

FreeBear

roadweary said: Most importantly my mother is quite positive about this all....but nothing is decided as yet.

As long as mother is happy with the arrangement and she gets a good'un, that is the main thing.

Side note - When googling homeshare, a few council run schemes cropped up. I didn't look any further than the few lines the search returned, but it might be an option to explore.

Alderbank

This was new to me also.
I was surprised at the costings. The homesharer pays £250-£300 a month to Two Generations plus their own food, etc..

I am comparing this with a live-in part-time companion at https://www.homecarecompanions.co.uk/carers.
It is basically the same expectation from the companion:

Part-Time Companions are professionals who already have another job. This is a home-share arrangement where you live with your client for free, with all your bills and food paid for + you will get an extra £90 - £150 per week. In return, you will help your client in and around the home for about 4 hours a day (approx.) often at the beginning and the end of the day, to fit around your main job.

Why would anyone choose Two Generations rather than this? There must be more to it.

Murphybear

youth_leader said:

I'm 66 and lonely and would never consider this.  Is your Mum on board with it?

 I've researched assisted living - and if I need nursing, a nursing home.  What does she think of assisted living?

Or sheltered housing.  I live in sheltered housing, there are 33 flats and large communal areas.  Our is independent living not assisted living.  We have a court manager who manager the building but is available if help is needed.  Residents can socialise or not.  We’re having a Christmas party on Saturday, our parties are usually fun  

You don’t need to go through the council for these, you approach them directly 

roadweary

Alderbank said:

This was new to me also.
I was surprised at the costings. The homesharer pays £250-£300 a month to Two Generations plus their own food, etc..

I am comparing this with a live-in part-time companion at https://www.homecarecompanions.co.uk/carers.
It is basically the same expectation from the companion:

Part-Time Companions are professionals who already have another job. This is a home-share arrangement where you live with your client for free, with all your bills and food paid for + you will get an extra £90 - £150 per week. In return, you will help your client in and around the home for about 4 hours a day (approx.) often at the beginning and the end of the day, to fit around your main job.

Why would anyone choose Two Generations rather than this? There must be more to it.

Two Generations asks for about 10 hours of interaction time per week. No personal care or other forms of care. So you are literally a companion not a carer. Caring is much more involved and rightfully costs more.