Park Home - Disregarded Asset?

hrc77
hrc77 Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener

Hi all. I have just joined this community as looking for some friendly advice if possible.

My partner (she lives on her own) currently receives UC and New Style ESA.

She’s recently been left some inheritance from her Grandmother (a small % of her estate). She hasn’t received any money yet, but will be due some when the estate is divided. She would like/plans to use all of this money, along with a lump sum being invested by her parents, to buy a property - which will be her permanent residence.

My (albeit limited) understanding is that, as her place of residence, the money/home would be a ‘disregarded asset’, and not impact her eligibility for the means tested benefits.

The complexity, I think, is that the only property affordable is likely to be a park home. From a Google search, it appears these are a grey area in terms of whether they are/can be classed as ‘property’, and so I’m now concerned that this will not be considered a disregarded asset.

Can anyone offer any guidance on this, specifically in relation to these kind of benefits? The main references I’ve found are more to do with the DWP’s classification of assets when it comes to looking at care home financial assessments.

To confirm, if it were to happen, the park home would be her home - her permanent residence, on a residential park home site (not a holiday site). She’d pay all the usual council tax, utility bills etc. Her savings would remain below £6k and her day-to-day financial situation would not change.

Many thanks!

Comments

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 16,991 Championing

    Hi @hrc77 - & welcome to the community.

    When your partner receives her inheritance (& later a sum from her parents) then she should notify UC & say that she intends to buy a property with it.

    Please see: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67d982dba87d546feeda0193/admh2.pdf

    which is from a guide for DWP decision makers about 'Capital disregards', scrolling down to H2111 'Premises intended to be occupied'

    I've checked the UC regs upon which this relies, & there's certainly no mention of Park Homes being excluded. This doesn't surprise me as I happen to own a Park Home, which is my permanent home/property on a fully residential site.

    For reassurance I'd see if in the meanwhile you could seek the advice from a Welfare Rights Office to confirm. Please try here: https://advicefinder.turn2us.org.uk/

  • Mary_Scope
    Mary_Scope Posts: 1,757 Scope Online Community Children and Family Specialists

    Hi @hrc77 and a warm welcome to the community!

    I see Chiarieds has answered your question and provided some good advice so I won't add anything else today but it's lovely to have you here and I hope you enjoy your time on the community😊