Longish story-Please advice...and please be patient&ask anything you like...

[bignose]

My parents are in their early 60's now.I left home at 21 and Im now 32.I havent been back to their house since the day I left.
It is unhabitable for humans.Everyone would be extremely shocked if they saw it.If it was today then the children (me&bro) would be taken out immediately!
My parents have a dog.
My lives in oblivion to the situation and denial.
Know one visited as a child.Never had friends round,sleep overs or tea parties etc.We always smelt of the house and dogs but generally were presented ok and cleanish!
My bro had behavioural problems,dislexia and overactive.He is 36 now.
He has problems now and I dont see him at all.He lives 2 doors away from my parents and they all dont speak.
My father is the most wonderful lost man I know.He is respectful but lacks confidence and has allowed my mum to walk all over him.He used to look after the house but doesnt try anymore.My mum is very messy and has no care for cleaniness at all. It doesnt come naturally to her and was never taught as a child.Her parents were the same, their house was the same.
My parents absolutely live forr their grand children (my kids) now.The fact that my children cannot visit them is now making my father think.
He has menitioned to me about selling up.The house has had no attention for many many yrs.No central heating,no double glazin.No gas fires.Broken sinks.Guttering all damaged.Would need completely gutting and all starting again.
Can anyone advice what the best thing for my dad to do is?
My mum doesnt work.My father works but not for much longer.Not much of a pension.Could they get help from council?if yes what?
Could they get re-homed?
What savings are you allowed to have if want council housing?
Could they get something for the house?

Sorry my MUM lives in oblivion!

Well no they would not be re-housed by the council, as they are homeowners. Until the recent housing slump developers were falling over themselves for something run down to do up, and sell at a profit, would be a bit tricker now, unless they are prepared to sell v. low.May qualify for some assistance for repairs depends on age of property and coucil worth enquiring though.

They need to contact their local council. There are grants available for homeowners who need assistance in bringing their home up to Decent Homes Standard.

May I ask, does your mother have any mental health issues?

Lol sorry.
Yes but not oficially.She has attended MIND but nothing official has ever come of it.She suffers depression Im sure and makes no effort with her appearance and never has done.
What exactly made you say that?

Well, looking after the house is often one of the things to go when severely depressed I believe.

Also true for personal care.

It could be that, if she got help for any mental heath issues, she would start to take an interest in keeping the house habitable? Also, if they are severe issues and she was receiving treatment, it could increase the anmount of help they could get, ie grants.

No there is no way it could be made habitable unless about £40-£60k was spent on it.My father said he is expecting about £40k for it if that!!
It could be worth £150k if up to normal standard.
This has happened over many many yrs.Its in such bad condition.
I just want to know if they would be either better off selling and renting privately or could/would they be intitled to get a council property considering them having to sell.They would never be in a position to do it up due to their age etc.They couldnt remortgage.
My concern over them renting privately is not that they wont look after it properly or keep it clean but it would be the fact of it not being secure enough.The 6month lease is not long enough.They would need somethin a bit more long term.I want them to be able to settle somewhere and grow old with out any worries.
Would the council be abe to advice or citizens advice better?

Hmm.

They are eligible in theory for council housing but in practice, as they would have the means to rent/buy, they would be at the bottom of the list.

What about some sort of sheltered/retirement housing? Like this sort of thing?

Thank you this looks fantastic and I do appreciate it but..
My mum would never except someone coming in and helping or even having the offer of it from anyone.It would be ok for me to go help cuz Id give her no choice!!!
I would just get on with it.

you know with the climate what it is, would anyone consider a house swap, you know young couple wanting more space in exchange for smaller habitable house sounds like a great project for someone with some energy?

It might be worth showing her the details of somethng like Churchill maybe? She might like the look of it

Does she have any friends who could help you convince her she needs some sort of changes to be made?

i know.Im gunna got to the council tomorrow and just lay it all out and tell them everything.There must be some advice.Im sure they cant be the only ones.Thank you.

Good luck.

They may suggest you involve Community Mental Health or even Social Services.

She is lucky to have you - sounds like you are really worried and I hope you all get the help needed.

Ah thank you very much for your response to this.I will let you know.

Went to yhe council and were not alot of help but did say that my parents are able to go on the housing needs register so thats what my parents are going to do.

Sorry to hear they were not more helpful.

If they are on the housing list they will get offered somewhere far faster if they have supporting evidence of any mental health issues, or medical conditions, or the state of the house. The council will leave them in their home, however unsuitable and horrible it is, for as long as they can get away with, I'm afraid to say. Their priority is always those who are actually homeless.

Does your mum have a GP who would write a supporting letter in, about her health and how the state of the house is making it worse? Or even have you ever considered social services involvement? Their local council website should have details on what can be done to get them housed faster.

Some other sites I found that could help

• Care&Repair

• Housing advice from Help the Aged

• Housing Care

Good luck again!

My parents are having the house valued and they will take it from there.Thank you for the websites.I will take a look.

I have made a report to the environmental health about my parents house as I have been informed that a surveyor will not go in with it being how it is right now.

My parents are now on the list and have been banded with band 2 wich is a max of 12months.Very pleased.