Please can someone who is in the position of caring for loved one who lives in one of these properties in the U.K., respond? My family and I are stretched beyond measure as we age, and care for others in family as well as a parent.
What I feel is immoral is the unethical way these flats are run by, rather dubious and, questionable management CO’s who charge so much for ground rent, and service charges, then, when one is ageing as one does have little provision for the future of those very leaseholders who bought into a falsehood of ‘ retirement’ living ( which may last five to ten yrs if one is lucky to live on, in relatively good health and my own parent, has lived beyond that in fact ). The idea of truly investing in one’s long term retirement is all about being healthy and, the organisations expect one to be independent ( until the day comes, when one becomes ill and, the management rather hope you’ll expire, or go into the usual route - out, ‘ the care home ‘ when more and more people are actually STAYING IN THEIR HOMES AND CHOOSING TO HAVE CARERS COME IN as a model, in the country. This is a model the govt want; however, extra care leaseholds don’t get promoted, developed or, sold in the same way as the independent living properties I have found out.
I care, and have help with an older brother who is also part of that care, with another sibling. Like most people, I am semi retired and working til I drop prob! However, I am disabled myself and don’t know what will occur as I age? Sounds frightening.
I know much is dependent on leasehold law changing, more promptly than is currently occurring and, my own role as a carer who comes and goes to care around life elsewhere but, may be needed more over time in one location?
I need some legal, and professional advice and have sought this - but, on going.
Leases with restricted clauses on sub letting for a carer / loved one, and service charges with ground rent, plus, will provision ( distribution of assets across one’s family ), all serve to complicate the process of actually managing the property on one’s lifetime. The solicitor’s are having a field day with these homes ( if you can call them such - more like Loan Homes ). Carers can come and go if paid, but one can’t have a live in carer if one even had that space to avail to a paid carer; or, a family member or, friend / companion as the lease is in question. How does this fair? Legally, and it is a question of legality, more and more people as I say, choose to remain their own homes and not go into a private or, state run institution to be cared for which is what the govt is encouraging anyway ( there won’t be ENOUGH care homes to accommodate the needy from now, anyway ). So, the likes of these mercenary commercially driven enterprises, who are falling below expectations as more people choose not to buy into leasehold in any respect, need to be guided by a change in the law to protect the elderly, ageing or similar vulnerable party,
if anyone can help me with this having been through it…please reach out to me. [Email address redacted by MNHQ]
Thank you.