Moving in with family

Moving in with family can seem like the ideal solution if you need support, want to spend more time with your grandchildren, or need to downsize.

Will moving in with my family suit me?

In many cases, moving in with family works well, but it’s important to be realistic and make sure you all have the same expectations.

Here is a checklist of things to consider when thinking about moving in with family.

• What sort of care will you need and who will be able to provide this for you?
• Will the home need to be adapted?
• Will you pay rent or help towards bills?
• If your family members are claiming benefits, will these be affected?
• How might the living arrangement affect your council tax?
• If you live with a couple, what would happen if they split up?
• What would happen if the arrangement were no longer working, for example, if you need to move into a care home?

If you invest in your relatives’ property, or purchase a property jointly, there may be implications if you have to be means-tested for assistance with care home fees in the future.

What should I do next?

Although they are your family and are likely to want the best for you, it’s important to protect yourself by getting independent legal advice. It’s a good idea to get a formal agreement drawn up.

It might seem awkward to discuss these things, but it’s better for you and your family to be clear from the outset about what would happen if the arrangement ends, for example, if you need to move into a care home, or if you’re living with a couple and they split up.