La “carenza cronica” di case adatte per gli acquirenti dell’ultima volta avverte Age UK
https://www.standard.co.uk/homesandproperty/property-news/chronic-shortage-of-homes-suitable-for-last-time-buyers-age-uk-b1252740.html?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-gb
di BulkyAccident
16 commenti
In my bitter experience, 70 year olds are in complete denial about their advancing years, and 80 year olds can’t manage a house move – physically or mentally.
That, more so, than a lack of availability, has been an issue in my circles.
I’ve watched a couple retire to a four storey townhouse.
Currently dealing with a 70 year old in wildly unsuitable housing (top floor flat, no lift) who is convinced she’ll be complete fit until the day she drops dead, and considers sheltered housing to be a threat and not an option.
Another appears to be allergic to building maintenance, despite a very healthy bank balance and offers of assistance.
Old people are their own worst enemy when it comes to housing.
I dont see the problem. There are plenty of cheap 1 bedroom flats with lift access in busy parts of towns that would be ideal for pensioners if they downsized from their big family homes, released all that equity to pay their bills and service charges until they died and still have plenty left to live on and cover care home fees in the end.
Or have I got the definition of the ideal last time home wrong here?
Won’t somebody please think of the pensioners and what homes they wish to buy?
I’d sell my house and move to a retirement village that resembles something like centre parcs when the time comes. I’d love to bomb around in a golf cart to do my shopping.
An old friend of mine used to have a great arrangement – Grandma lived downstairs in her terrace and upstairs lived a family friend who was renting at serious mates rates (half of market, something like that). This served the double purpose that upstairs would often be around in the case of an emergency.
By homes for last time buyers do they mean:
– assisted living flats
– retirement community flats
– bungalows
Because there are plenty but they might need to move to find them.
We should remove stamp duty. It makes it much more expensive to downsize than it would be otherwise.
This isn’t a new problem, nor is it one limited to older occupants, though because of the shere size of the demographic other age groups of which can have individuals with accessibility needs get overlooked.
It is however why we have the likes of the disabled facilities grant which you can apply for via council/social services, though with the cuts its only gotten harder to get and it was never that easy to begin with.
And same as working age people have PIP over 65’s can apply for attendance allowance to help cover costs of renting equipment etc
On the plus side modifications have come a long way in recent decades stuff like hoists, stairlifts and the like are more affordable and less complicated to yoink out when no longer needed where as it used to be pretty substancial/permenent changes to the property alot of good stuff can be done without that
Age UK is right. I’m thinking about retirement and the move to a smaller and more manageable home. Having experienced aging family, there’s a raft of things I would consider to be important in a final home which I rarely see. Accessibility features in estate homes are non existent, just not considered. I’m I’m decent enough shape, so stairs etc not a problem now, but who knows in 10 or 15 years.
As far as I can see, I will have to buy a smaller property and probably have to gut it to get what I believe is required before I actually retire.
I own a home perfect for an older person , single story, 2 bedroom, 5 minute walk from the town centre and the GP,
if they are desperate il swap for a 3-4 bed family home. Only way il get one at this rate
Seeing lots of crazy things with older people:
Yes, old people definitely leave it too late, I know people hitting their 70s, already severely disabled and moving to detached houses… all their relatives are openly asking ‘why’, totally unsuitable for 2years time.
Other problem… stamp duty. Great… moving to a smaller place will save them on gas and electric… £200/year…. But the move will cost them £20k stamp duty, plus solicitor fees, plus removal van. Plus plus plus.
Not surprised, we all know the baby boomers are the largest age group. They all want to move into bungalows at the same time. If only the generation with the most wealth and resources did something about it while they had a chance…
You make a very good point. The conversion of many bungalows into 2 storey ‘Chalet’ homes has likely had an impact in reducing the overall numbers of the already limited number of bungalows remaining.
I’m living in a one bed bungalow, built for retired people as it was all I could afford. Happy to swap. Would like a 3 bed for the family.
I’ve checked my bag of fucks, and I truly have none left to give.
What about properties suitable for first time buyers? We pander to pensioners sat in paid of houses enough as it is