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.

When thinking about moving back in with your family, it's a good idea to consider the answers to the following questions:

• 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, would you have to move into sheltered accommodation or 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.

Find out more about paying for residential care

What should I do before moving in with family?

Your family should want the best for you, but it’s still important to protect yourself by getting independent legal advice and drawing up a formal agreement.

Find out more about finding legal advice

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.