Rented housing for retirees

I suppose you could contact your local council to see if they can help.

From what you say, you've given part of your equity from the sale of your house to your son, plus money into a bond that you don't want to spend, but you would now like subsidised social housing? I'm not sure you would qualify.

Oh Smurf52 you should go to your nearest LA housing office and get yourself on that waiting list ASAP ! Unfortunately the fact that you have a roof over your head (albeit a very expensive one) will count against you though . I don’t know how much money you have in savings and bonds but even if you were fortunate enough to get one you would not be able to claim help with your rent if your saving are more than around the £10,000 mark (check exact figure) . Also as a single person you would not qualify for a 2 bedroom property. Obviously I don’t know where you are in the country but I wonder if you might be better off still trying to buy a small flat ? My late mum and dad sold their very modest ex LA house about 10 years ago (my mum couldn’t get up stairs ) and they were given an adapted bungalow by the KA to rent . The small amount of money they got for their house ( £65,000 in the North East) has now completely gone on just under £120 per week LA rent and my dad is left with virtually nothing but his state pension .

Meant to add that the LA would go into all your financial affairs before awarding you housing benefit and I doubt you would qualify with savings and bonds etc. I would look around for something cheaper to rent or even consider buying a small property if you are able to . Don’t mean to sound awful but LA properties are in very short supply .

Also Have you considered housing associations? We have several around here specialising in apartments and bungalows for retirees .

I am so sorry. I very much doubt you will be given a two bedroomed property, they will not allow a bedroom for visitors. Do get sdvice, there is the possibility that because you sold your house they will say you made yourself homeless. If you can buy a small flat do so, your LA will surely have a long waiting list , the LA will want every detail of your income and savings too. Shelter may give you advice . I wish you luck x

My DH has always said cater for what we need every day not for what we need occasionally i.e. a dining table for 2 not 9. He says we can always go out and eat when we all get together. Perhaps that could be true with your sons. I don't know how often they visit but perhaps a one bedroom flat for you plus when they visit a nearby b&b would help.

Thanks all. I know because I still have money that I don’t qualify yet but I was just thinking when my money totally runs out (if I don’t die before!) Then I’ll be happy to get a 1 bed place as I’ll be that much older and will expect my sons to put me up lol.

Could you perhaps consider moving to a cheaper part of the country, Smurf? I don't know where you are, but in large parts of the the country, the rent on a decent two bedroom property would be way cheaper than £900 a month.

Do you qualify for Housing Benefit? It might be worth talking to Citizens Advice or Age UK about your problem and see what they advise.

Talk to your local housing association or council. I know a couple of people who were widowed and sold their houses. Both went on to live in rented HA places here, one is still in her flat. On the small estate she lives there is a flat that visitors can use for a few days.
My aunt and uncle live in a housing scheme in another part of the country with such places available. So there are places about.

If op invested a large chunk of the equity from her house sale in a bond, the cash didn't disappear. She also gave significant amount to her son.
She still has a considerable asset so why would she qualify for housing benefit?

I know nothing about this organisation smurf other than a fellow volunteer rents a home through them. Girlings.co.uk. She says the rent is ‘reasonable’ and includes all service charges. Please understand this is not a recommendation, just some information. Wishing you well in your search and decision.

Give anchor sheltered housing charitable trust a call, you may be able to put your name on their list and they will I am sure give you advice
Their waiting lists are very long and it is doubtful you will only get a studio flat as it is only you.
I work for Anchor so have some idea.

Go and see your local Citizens Advice or give Shelter a call. I suggest you get housing advice now before it gets desperate and you may qualify for Housing Benefit even with savings. You won’t be able to get a 2 bed place with a LA or Housing Association as you only need a one bed place. You could also run into problems with having given away money to your sons when it comes to assessing your capital. Please get advice

You could try and see if you are eligible for housing benefit I am in a similar situation I am 60 plus and work and my rent is just over half my wage leaving very little for anything else after bills I have been on housing waiting lists over 7 years but as I'm not homeless not a priority

Would you be able to rent a studio flat near one of your sons where property is cheaper. Find a new part time job then when your bond matures buy a small property with a mortgage. I understand it's easier for older people to get mortgages now.
On the whole I think you have been a bit too kind to your DC and you are paying the price.
But talk to the housing associations. Lots of good advice on here.

You will not get housing benefit with any savings over about £3,000. If you only have your state pension can you apply for pension credit and would also look at moving to a much cheaper area and buying either a small flat or a mobile home.

Jenpax is right. Definitely get an appointment to discuss your situation with SHELTER who have specialist knowledge of everything to do with housing need and can help you plan ahead.
I think, like her, that you may still qualify for housing benefit even with savings (depending on what these are precisely,and if/when you can access them). You will only be able to argue for an LA/HA 2 bed place if you are disabled and have to have a carer who needs to stay overnight.

Re money given to your sons - yes, as it was only five years ago you sold your property, there may be problems assessing your capital . However, if you manage things yourself independently for another 2-5 years the LA assessors may possibly be more flexible in their attitudes.

Are your sons not in a position to be able to help you at all?

Oh dear... money worries are all consuming and wreck every aspect of daily life.
I want to ask how many nights each year you do have someone sleeping in the spare room?
Work it out for the last several years, please.
Then ask yourself if it would be worth getting a sofa bed for the living room and saving yourself a lot of rent?

Your sons could stay in a b&b or airb&b when they visit, after all, you helped one out and now must look after your own interests and long term future.
Housing lists are long in most parts of the UK and you only get 3 choices then back to the bottom of the list.
I suggest that you look for a private long term rental on a 1 bed flat.
The council tax will be less for a start.
I've let my own (too large since empty nest) home out and have rented privately in a small upmarket town, in the middle of beautiful countryside with excellent transport links and facilities, for almost 10 years and I pay less than £900pm. Finding property to rent here is like hoping to find hen's teeth.
Maybe widen your search to nearby areas which suit your needs.
I e-mailed a list of amenities I definitely wanted, to several large and small EAs but, surprisingly, it was through a friend who owned a shop in the 'village' that I heard about my present abode.
Are there things you definitely want/do not want in a rental? I wanted GCH and a proper kitchen plus gas hob, NO split living/kitchen. A full bathroom, plenty of storage space and lots of windows and character plus a small garden.
Send your wish list and hopefully something will turn up. Remember to tell them NOT to send details of properties outside your budget. They have a nasty habit of doing just that.
Good luck

Contact your local housing association. If you are prepared to accept a " sheltered housing property" as opposed to "general needs", you may find it easier to get accommodation and a much shorter waiting list. Some sheltered housing does stipulate they only accept retirees, while others still allow people to continue working. Lots only have one bedroom flats, whereas a few have two bedrooms and some occasionally have small bungalows.
I have worked for three different housing associations as a housing officer and can tell you it is easier in your age group to go down the sheltered housing route. You will have to pay extra for managers/ helplines etc, but if you qualify for HB your rent will be less. You can also apply for something in another area if it is nearer to a close family member and their waiting lists are shorter. Quite a lot of people have done this. Good luck.

You mention being bullied in your job. Have you thought of taking them to employment tribunal. Sounds like constructive dismissal. I also think you should discuss your fears with your sons. Nothing worse than ‘nursing’ a worry alone. Good luck!

burtieb26 OP said she left her job 18 months ago, therefore unless she has already lodged her ET claim for constructive dismissal she is now out of time. An ET claim has to be made within 3 months from the date of the last incident or of leaving date and this is well outside that time frame

I fail to understand why you think someone who used to own a property, then decided to rent privately instead while investing some of the profit and giving some away to family should now be entitled to housing benefit or a subsidised council property!