A financial assessment determines how much you’ll need to pay for your care, and whether your home is included in that assessment depends on your circumstances. There are various ways to avoid selling your home:
- Deferred payment agreements: If you’re eligible, you can pay for your care home fees at a later date, with the council paying your fees in the interim.
- Renting out your home: If a deferred payment agreement is in place, income from renting out your home can be used to pay for your care fees, meaning you can defer a smaller amount.
- Giving away your home: Deciding to transfer ownership of your property to someone else is a major decision and requires much thought. If the council believes that you’re giving it away purely to avoid care fees, they can apply ‘deliberate deprivation of assets’ rules and treat the property as if it’s still owed by you.