Hi,
This is a bit complicated so I’ll try to keep it brief. Ibe been a carer for my mum for the last 10 years. During that time , we lived separately and made it work.
Last week, my mum was taken into hospital after a fall, and she has a sacral insufficiency fracture along with sepsis. This more than likely means her needs will have changed quite drastically when she is discharged.
Now to top that off, I have rented my home from a private landlord for the last 12 years, and on Wednesday he told me he was selling up. Obviously with the rental market the way it is now, theres no way I can afford anything as a carer.
My mums property is with a housing association (the same house I grew up in) which shes lived in for 40 years.
Perhaps the sale of my home has come at the right time as it means I can move back in with mum and help her with whatever her new normal is.
My question is though, has anyone ever been in a similar situation and been able to add themselves as a joint tenant?
I haven’t told Mum about my housing situation yet as I’m trying to come up with a solution first. I am planning on speaking to the CAB when they open up again after Easter, but I was just hoping for any advice as I’m worried sick about the whole situation right now.
Sorry it’s so long and thanks for reading
Hi @Missyp284 ,welcome to the fourm. I think you are going to have to check out things with who own the house your mum lives in as there might be some issues. I am not sure what as housing laws are a minefield. Best of luck
You must sort this out before you move in with mum. Usually where a couple rent a housing association home, once they both pass on then the property reverts to the HA, you have no succession rights. There are some exceptions though, so check asap.
You cannot just add yourself as a joint tenant in the legal sense but you can ask the Housing Association to add you to the tenancy in a separate agreement. My experience is that they are unlikely to do this.
If you are her carer they may be more likely but you should contact them and CAB are usually excellent in helping with this.
Good luck
1 Like
Are you currently working?
Planning to give up work to care?
Aware of the benefits you will be entitled to?
Do you have Power of Attorney for mum?
How old are you both?
Hi,
I currently receive carers allowance and universal credit for my mum.
I don’t have power of attorney. My mum is 84 and years I turn 54 next week.
Thank you
(name removed by moderator to preserve anonymity)
Thanks.
My mum was housebound and disabled for many years, but muddled along with support for many years until she had sepsis, when she was about 84, and lost the ability to walk. Sadly she was admitted to hospital and after 6 months was transferred to a nursing home. After a year of decline, she passed away.
Someone so old just doesn’t always have the health and strength to recover.
You need to prepare for this eventuality.
Contact Shelter for details of your rights, in relation to your current home, and details of Housing Benefit.
Have you told DWP that mum is in hospital?
Your Carers Allowance will only be paid for a short period, check this urgently!
I’m sorry this is all bad news, but it’s vital you act urgently.
Sadly, we have had other forum members who have ended up homeless after caring for mum.
Cruel but true.
1 Like
Hello, Missyp. Let us look at the options.
Is the home that you are currently renting furnished or unfurnished? If unfurnished, the landlord cannot legally evict you if you are keeping up payment of the rent. However, it is difficult to sell a dwelling with a sitting tenant, so he may try means of coercion.
Next, regarding moving back in with your mum. By all means explain your position to the housing association. However, as others have indicated, a joint tenancy may not be an option on offer. It may be OK for you to move in as your mother’s guest. You could pay your mother a regular sum to cover your share of rent, fuel bills, etc. You probably have no right of succession if your mother should die or move out.
Have you explored the possibility of finding a small accommodation near to your mother, giving you the proximity to be available to her needs but also have your own established base, not readily taken from you?
It does sound as though your mother will require an increased level of care when she returns home. If you have no wish to take on employment responsibilities, moving in with her may be an appropriate step if you can resolve this with the housing association. Only you can judge the level of care you need to offer your mum and the impact this will have on your life.
1 Like