Many of the calls to our helpline are from individuals and couples, in their 60’s and 70’s, who plan to sell their properties and move to Spain.  Older people who live on quiet a modest income but whose property has increased in value over the last few decades are attracted to the idea of buying somewhere cheaper abroad and using the spare capital to fund a more comfortable lifestyle. Their major concern when they ring us for advice is that if they ever want to return to the UK they may not be able to so.

With luck they may have many good years in Spain, but at some stage they may want to return to the UK, either for health reasons or because one half of a couple is left on their own. The price of housing abroad can be considerably less than here and if they want to return they may not be able to buy a property in the UK with the proceeds of their Spanish home. On the rental side they are unlikely to be given any priority by a local authority or housing associations for accommodation once they have been out of the country. They would generally have to return, become “habitually resident” again, and rent privately or stay with family, if that is possible, to establish local residency in a particular council area. This can often be six months or a year. They would be then assessed along with applicants on the waiting list or choice based letting scheme.

There are several alternatives if they return with some capital but not enough to buy outright on the open market. They could consider a Life Interest Plan, where they buy only the right to occupy a property for the remainder of their life. This would be much less costly than outright purchase. Life interest plans are offered by Homewise Ltd but need careful consideration. Call EAC’s advice line 0207 820 1343 Mon-Fri 9-5  for our Life Interest Plans information sheet:

They could try renting retirement accommodation privately. There is one commercial UK wide provider of privately rented accommodation –Girlings, 0800 525 184 www.girlings.co.uk

Another alternative is to consider buying two properties with their initial capital- a retirement flat in this country, perhaps near to their family or close friends who could offer support in the future, as well as their home in Spain. They could then sub let the UK property to increase their income. They would need to check that their lease permits this. They would then have a base to return to should they ever need to come back to the UK, and the proceeds from their property in Spain could be used to increase their income at that stage.

Individuals can call our Advice Line 0207 820 1343 if would like a list of retirement leasehold property in a particular town or district in the UK, or download it from our website; www.housingcare.org

'Nobody's Listening - The impact of floating support on older people living in sheltered housing' has recently been published by Help the Aged, based on research by the Housing & Support Partnership.

It looks at the changes to the way warden services have been delivered since the introduction of Supporting People (SP) funding in 2003, from the point of view of older people, sheltered housing providers and Supporting People Administering Authorities. There has been a steady move from resident wardens for specific housing schemes, where people move to recive support, to floating support services, provided by non-resident staff to older people regardless of where they live. The different standpoints and the range of new models of support provision come through very clearly.

The report identified the need for a strategic Government review of sheltered housing that involves the residents. Help the Aged made eight key recommendations, including the view that the Government should seriously consider taking sheltered housing out of SP, and that resident wardens should be retained if alternative arrangements are unsatisfactory for tenants living in existing schemes.

The report touched on, but did not consider in detail, two additional points which have been raised with EAC's Advice Line (020 7820 1343). One issue is the impact to existing sheltered tenants of changed allocation policies, as older people choose not to move and to have floating support in their current home, and younger people, identified as vulnerable, are allocated flats in sheltered schemes. The second issue is the risk to older people who decline to receive services that they need where there is direct charging.

The full report can be downloaded at http://policy.helptheaged.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/652BC405-AA9E-49CB-B7FE-E16A7BOD3A99/0/nobodys_listening

Communities minister, Baroness Andrews, to-day announced the allocation of £33,000,000 over 2 years from next April to help local councils set up or expand handy person services. The schemes help elderly people by providing mobile staff who will assist with routine maintenance and minor adaptations to help them stay safe and independent at home. Tasks can include fitting grab rails to help people with mobility problems and securing loose stair carpets to prevent falls, and chores, such as clearing gutters that become more hazardous as people get older. Depending on the council policy, the service will be free, or will involve a minimum charge.

Baroness Andrews said it could mean ' the difference between living at home or moving into care'.