Aunt wants to swap big house for small.

[Maybe111]

My aunt lives in a very big house. It's 6 bedroom with 30ft attic room. 3 bathrooms .30ft kitchen ,unity room, double oven , 120ft garden very wide aswell and in back of garden granny annexe the size of a small apartment with power and toilet. She also has separate dining room and 2 living rooms. Space for 4 cars on drive.

I live in a flat she has proposed to swap my flat for her house ?. This will be temporarily as she doesn't like to be by herself in a house that size and she doesn't like the cleaning. The grass in very long garden and doesn't feel safe in house on own as she only uses one room.

I am used to living in a flat . I would have to cover the bills but not council tax . She will pay my bills will it be a big difference from my 2 bedroom flat. I have 3 children ?

Sounds fantastic! Go for it.

Actually, perhaps she could stay in the annexe. Maybe she is lonely. Combining households is allowed.

Your energy bills will be much, much higher.
If she going to pay the council tax then it seems quite a good deal.
Do you like gardening?

she's

I agree can she live in the annex? Then no rent to pay etc

Thanks the garden is 120ft long how do you manage that. Also being in a house that size she has 20 radioheaters is it expensive to run I have 6 in my flat. Is it safer to be in a big house . I live in a flat it feel cozy and safe not many rooms just 4. She has over 23 different rooms its too many for one person. She has annxue with toilet shower but she like privacy hence wanting to swap flat

I have a small fridge but she also has American fridge. I don't have a dishwasher or dryer. In her utitily room she has dishwasher,tumble dryer and a washing machine. It sound expensive. What if after this is finshed I love living here and then wouldnt want to go back?. It will be a big difference from flat to a house

What about just going to stay with her? The house sounds big enough that you’d have your own spaces and it’s a win win surely? You pay any additional bills she will accumulate.

The big house will take up far more of your time and money to run than your small flat. Do you really need/ want 6 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms?!

If your aunt is elderly, why doesn't she sell the house and buy something smaller and more manageable? She'd also have some money from the sale to spend on herself.

Heating will be way more expensive. Size of house doesn't affect safety. Why would it?

It seems the house would be too big for you to cope with too.

Surely you don't need heaters on, it isn't cold. Take warm slippers and a sweater incase it's a bit chilly at night. It sounds like a nice swap if you like gardening, if not send me her contact! I'd be delighted to have something to do!

It sounds lovely to suggest combining households - but you would still be paying for your flat....

Is it just for the lockdown period? If so it may be more hassle than it's worth

I would be tempted to do it for lockdown and treat it like a holiday.
Unless it is very old, you shouldn't need heating on at this time of year.
It may be hard going back to your falt afterwards though yes.

It sounds like a lovely place - lots of space for the kids etc. Things to think about

• how long are you expecting this arrangement to be in place
• does she have broadband & whatever tv stuff you like
• you don’t need heaters on in all rooms or all day at this time of year
• you don’t need to use the tumble dryer if it’s not something you usually do
• dishwasher is not expensive to run especially if you use own brand tablets

Agree with others, maybe she stays in the annexe and can advise on gardening etc. Really just grass cutting and a bit of weeding.

Sounds like a kind offer to me. Your kids will love the extra freedom.

She has all sky channels and broadband. She only wants to swap as she like her privacy. She only uses her living room. She sleep downstairs . She doesn't use the another rooms. She has a regular milk man who delivers bread and milk and sometime eggs. She like my flat it small and it feels secure where as if you in her living room you have to walk 30 ft to get to the other side. It's harder to manage . She has 2 other houses but they are in different part. My flat is in the same town so she knows everything around here.

Im still deciding on it she is keen

well you won't need heating til the autumn now, you don't have to use the dishwasher and tumble dryer. it'll take more to clean but I'm sure you're kids will appreciate the space.

is this just during lockdown or for longer? I'd be worried about heating the place.

No brainier. Do the swap!

Go for it

Go for it. It’ll be an amazing place for the kids during lockdown. Depending on their ages they could help with the chores and the garden.

Thanks the garden is 120ft long how do you manage that.

Is 120 feet a lot? I'm not good with dimensions. Regardless, how does she manage it? Do whatever she does.

My yard is about 1 acre, I hire a company to come out once a week and maintain it. Maybe you could do that.

It will be like a mini holiday for the children, lovely big garden to play in and amazing games of hide and seek around the huge house. The only problem would be toys, can you take lots with you?

It would be terrific for you and the family. What would happen later on?
Would you have to swap again after this current crisis?

I'd jump at the offer.