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Staying In Your Own Home If you would like to stay in your own home but are finding it difficult to manage, you may be able to achieve this by resolving practical and financial problems to make your life easier.
Disputes: If you’re threatened with eviction, contact an organisation such as the Citizens Advice Bureau immediately. If you are in sheltered housing and experiencing problems, contact AIMS (0845 600 2001) for help to solve difficulties. Your rights depend on whether you’re a tenant or a homeowner. In most cases your lender, or landlord, will have to give you written notice and get a court order if they want you to leave. If you’re a lodger in your landlord’s house, they can simply ask you to leave as long as they give you “reasonable notice”, which could be as little as a few days. In the majority of cases, it’s illegal for your landlord to evict you without a court order. It is also illegal for your landlord to harass you or withdraw services with the intention of forcing you to leave. If you have been asked to leave your home by your spouse/civil partner or partner, you might have rights to stay there temporarily or even permanently. Get proper advice immediately from the Citizens Advice Bureau on 020 7833 2181.
Noise and Neighbours: If you are experiencing noise or harassment from neighbours, approach them informally and this may be enough to sort out the situation. If this doesn’t work, contact your landlord or the police. Help In The Home: There are different types of help available to allow you to remain in your own home. The local social services department is the main state provider of these services. Similar services may also be available via private agencies and voluntary groups.
If you need them, you may also benefit from disability equipment and gadgets to help you manage at home. An occupational therapist will be able to talk to you about equipment that may help you. If your home feels too big and you would like some company or help with housework, you might want to think about a homeshare scheme.
If you live alone and are worried about getting help if you have an accident, a community alarm might be useful. This links you 24 hours a day to a central service which can offer help in an emergency.
Repairs and Adaptations: If you’re a tenant, you have certain rights to have repairs done. Your tenancy agreement should tell you who is responsible for repairs. You should let your landlord know as soon as possible what repairs need to be done. If finding a reliable contractor to do repairs is difficult, contact your local Home Improvement Agency (0115 950 6500) or council housing department for advice. Keeping Warm: The Warm Front Scheme provides help with heating and insulation for homeowners and people in private rented properties. It is available to householders who are aged 60 or over who receive qualifying, means-tested benefits. It is also available to disabled people. Contact the Eaga helpline (free) on 0800 316 2805. Safety and Security: If you’re concerned about security and safety at home, you might want to examine ways of reducing burglary risks. Contact your local police station and speak to a Crime Prevention Officer. Money Struggles: If you’re struggling financially and are afraid you’ll not be able to keep your home, you may want to contact the Citizens Advice Bureau to check if you’re claiming all the benefits you’re entitled to. There are specific state benefits to help with housing costs, such as Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. You may also wish to use some of the capital tied up in your home via an equity release scheme. You are strongly advised to consider other options before deciding on equity release. Homeshare THIS is an exchange of services, with an older or disabled householder offering free or cheap accommodation to a home-sharer. In return, the home-sharer provides an agreed number of hours of support. This may include cleaning, cooking, gardening and shopping. To find out more about the scheme, contact Homeshare UK. Gifts IF YOU own your own home, you may want to consider donating it to Help the Aged’s Gifted Housing scheme. In return, the charity becomes responsible for maintenance costs, payment of council tax, water rates and property insurance. For more details contact Help the Aged on 01225 447800.
Homelessness YOUR local council has a legal obligation to provide free advice and help to those who are homeless, or threatened with homelessness. The latter means you are going to become homeless within 28 days. This may include a court notice saying your house is going to be repossessed. Hostels: One option is to try to get a place in a homeless hostel or night shelter. Emergency hostels and shelters usually provide accommodation just for a few nights. They might have a resettlement worker who’ll help you find more permanent accommodation. They usually accept people without any money, but will expect you to claim benefits to pay for your accommodation. Call Shelter Line (free) on 0808 800 4444 to find out if there are vacancies in your area.
Women’s Refuges: These are for females who have to leave home because of domestic violence. These are normally ordinary houses shared by women and children. The address is secret to protect women from violent partners. Contact Women’s Aid (free) on 0808 2000 247 for further details. Bed and Breakfast: These are privately run and are usually more expensive than hostels. Some B&Bs don’t accept people claiming Housing Benefit and you’ll need money for rent in advance. Your housing advice centre should have B&B lists.
On The Move CONSIDER some of the following points before you take the plunge and move house:
You may find it helpful to read Housing Options for Older People (HOOP), a self-assessment form for those wondering whether or not to move home. The form is available from the Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC) (020 7820 1343).
Renting The Council: Local councils are among the main providers of rented housing, including sheltered accommodation. Council tenants tend to have more security and pay lower rents than other tenants, but there is usually a long waiting list before you receive an offer of accommodation. To apply, get in touch with your local housing department. Housing Associations: These also provide rented housing, including rented sheltered housing. The accommodation is likely to be cheaper and more secure than private rented. A large number of housing association properties are rented out to people on the council’s housing register. Contact the Tenants Services Authority on 0845 230 7000 for more. Privately Rented: Most new privately rented tenancies are let out on an assured shorthold basis. This means the landlord will have the right to bring your tenancy to an end after the first six months. But there are some private sheltered accommodation providers that offer assured tenancies which provide more security. If you decide to seek accommodation to rent privately, look for adverts in your local paper or use an accommodation agency, such as a letting agent. If you find private accommodation, check your tenancy Agreement, especially responsibility for maintenance and repairs.
Sheltered Housing THIS is intended specifically for older people and residents normally have to be at least 55 or 60. The houses tend to be built in a block of about 20 to 40 flats or bungalows. There is almost always an alarm system linked to a 24-hour communication centre, which can summon help in an emergency. There is also usually a warden or scheme manager. Rented Sheltered Housing: Most rented sheltered housing is provided by councils and housing associations. They will both set their eligibility criteria based on which applicants have the highest priority. If you are already a council or housing association tenant, you should approach your landlord and ask for a transfer. To apply for council sheltered accommodation contact your local housing department. Sheltered Housing To Buy: This is usually purpose-built by private companies or developers. Once the properties are sold, the management of the scheme is transferred to a management company. In addition to the purchase price, you’ll have to pay a service charge, ground rent, council tax and utility bills. Lifetime Leases: Some firms offer a lifetime lease or occupancy, which means you buy the right to live in your home for the rest of your life.
Shared Owners: Some housing associations run schemes where you can buy part of the value of a property, say 25% or 50%, and pay rent on the rest. This may be a good option if you don’t have enough money to buy a place outright. Abbeyfield Society: Abbeyfield houses cater for people looking for support in sheltered housing. Most of the accommodation is in houses of eight to 12 unfurnished bed-sit rooms, mostly with en-suite facilities, with a shared lounge, dining room and garden. The weekly charge usually includes two meals a day prepared by a housekeeper. Contact The Abbeyfield Society on 01727 857536 for more information. Almshouses: These are run by charitable trusts and offer low-cost accommodation for older people. Residents in almshouses don’t have the same legal rights as other tenants and there’s no security of tenure under law. Contact The Almshouse Association (01344 452922) for more.
Park Homes THESE are prefabricated single-storey houses that are manufactured off-site and installed on a site or “home park”. Most residents own them and pay the park owner rent for their pitch and services that the park provides. These are usually cheaper than conventional houses and if you are selling a conventional house you might be able to free some equity and provide yourself with some capital in retirement. Your legal position as a park home owner is unique as you own your home, but rent the land on which it stands. Before you commit yourself to this, find out about your and the park owner’s rights and responsibilities.
Care Homes THE decision to enter a home isn’t easy. It may mean leaving your own home and familiar surroundings, although there could be benefits to be gained through new care and companionship.
People With Disabilities IF you’re disabled, you may want to consider rented housing which is specially adapted for your needs. Many housing associations and councils now have properties which have been purpose-built for people who use a wheelchair.
Contacts List Abbeyfield Society: 01727 857536, www.abbeyfield.com The Advice Information and Mediation Service (AIMS): 0845 600 2001, www.ageconcern.org.uk/aims Almshouse Association: 01344 452922, www.almshouses.org Care and Repair England: 0115 950 6500, www.careandrepair-england.org.uk Citizens Advice Bureau on 020 7833 2181, www.citizensadvice.org.uk Counsel and Care: 0845 300 7585, www.counselandcare.org.uk Directory of UK Mediation: www.intermedial.org.uk Elderly Accommodation Counsel: 020 7820 1343, www.housingcare.org Foundations: 01457 891909, www.foundations.uk.com Aged UK: 0800 169 65 65, www.ageuk.org.uk Home Improvement Trust: (free) 0800 783 7569, www.houseproud.org.uk Homeshare International: 01865 699 190, www.homeshare.org Homeshare UK: www.homeshare.org.uk Tenants Services Authority (TSA): 0845 230 7000 Shelterline: (free) 0808 800 4444, www.shelter.org.uk Warm Front: (free) 0800 316 2805, www.warmfront.co.uk Women’s Aid Federation England: (free) 0808 2000 247, www.womensaid.org.uk
*Please note the details published on this page are targeted at people aged 50 or more and refers to the situation in England. **Also, please note that the information included here may change from time to time, so please take legal advice if you are in any doubt.
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