Hi, I just wanted to tell people my story in the hope of educating any carers in a similar position
My mother had vascular dementia and died on 19th October this year. I miss her dearly - bless her wonderful heart. I have been her carer for over 30 years (I am 48 now) and, along with my father, we were living in a 2 bed flat - council accommodation - since 1976. My mother and father were joint tenants. My father died in 2010 and the tenancy passed to mum. I assumed that, if I cannot keep the existing property, I would be re-housed in a 1 bedroom flat once mum died. I couldn't be more wrong. I am not entitled to anything. I have sought advice from two solicitors, citizens advice bureau, Shelter and my local MP and all have told me I am not eligible to succeed to the tenancy as I am not on the tenancy, and the council have no obligation to re-house me as I don't have a priority need. I therefore would need to find private housing for ridiculously high rent. My MP even told me that I am am capable of full time work, so why should I receive subsidised housing when so many other people need to be housed. Forget the fact that his salary and accommodation are paid for by taxpayers.
For anyone in a similar position - ie living with their parent/s in council housing, PLEASE check what will happen to you when your parents are no longer around. If you can be put onto the tenancy agreement, please do this. If you able to buy the property, please do this. Do whatever you can to secure a roof over your head. If you have children, when they turn 18, you should be able to put them on the tenancy agreement and then they will be secure.
I had to find this information out the hard way - no one volunteers this stuff beforehand and it isn't easy to find. And if you unfortunately find yourself about to be made homeless, (ie, given notice to quit) don't wait for an eviction notice as this can look bad on your records/credit check etc. The best you may be able to get from the housing office is an extension or delay to the notice to quit.
Please take need of my cautionary tale. It's hard enough losing my mum, but it has turned into my worst nightmare now.
My mother had vascular dementia and died on 19th October this year. I miss her dearly - bless her wonderful heart. I have been her carer for over 30 years (I am 48 now) and, along with my father, we were living in a 2 bed flat - council accommodation - since 1976. My mother and father were joint tenants. My father died in 2010 and the tenancy passed to mum. I assumed that, if I cannot keep the existing property, I would be re-housed in a 1 bedroom flat once mum died. I couldn't be more wrong. I am not entitled to anything. I have sought advice from two solicitors, citizens advice bureau, Shelter and my local MP and all have told me I am not eligible to succeed to the tenancy as I am not on the tenancy, and the council have no obligation to re-house me as I don't have a priority need. I therefore would need to find private housing for ridiculously high rent. My MP even told me that I am am capable of full time work, so why should I receive subsidised housing when so many other people need to be housed. Forget the fact that his salary and accommodation are paid for by taxpayers.
For anyone in a similar position - ie living with their parent/s in council housing, PLEASE check what will happen to you when your parents are no longer around. If you can be put onto the tenancy agreement, please do this. If you able to buy the property, please do this. Do whatever you can to secure a roof over your head. If you have children, when they turn 18, you should be able to put them on the tenancy agreement and then they will be secure.
I had to find this information out the hard way - no one volunteers this stuff beforehand and it isn't easy to find. And if you unfortunately find yourself about to be made homeless, (ie, given notice to quit) don't wait for an eviction notice as this can look bad on your records/credit check etc. The best you may be able to get from the housing office is an extension or delay to the notice to quit.
Please take need of my cautionary tale. It's hard enough losing my mum, but it has turned into my worst nightmare now.