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Divorced and with residence order with both children. My ex, freshly released from prison and mental asylum (still sectioned) has now approached the Local Housing Department for a place to live. Fine. However the housing department want to know the value of the house to assess her Equity, value of her share of the matrimonial home. They told me that there is nothing to worry about. As far I can tell she can not sell her share as this is not her main residence and has not been since 2012. We have a Private Family Agreement (possible while she is stabilised with meds) where she agrees I can live in the house until the youngest child is 18. Not 'legal' I know but better than affording solicitors and Court! Still, what can she be up to or is this entirely innocent to assess her application for supported/council housing?
Gosh, what a story!
It sounds like it is the local council that has approached you, rather than your ex-wife. If that is the case i suppose this might be legitimate (although it is difficult to see how it makes any difference to them as no magistrate is going to force you out of your house with your resident children). I suppose the council might be looking for a reason not to give your ex-wife a council house (and I sympathise with them - it is hard for me to understand why I'd be paying for a house for her).
You know your ex-wife better than anyone here - but by the sound of it I'd be very suspicious of her indeed - people will do bizarre things for even a little money.
Good fortune,
O
Hi there
Not an area I’m familiar with, but it might be useful to give Shelter a call, they are well informed about all things housing and may be able to give you some advice.
www.shelter.org.uk
All the best
I agree with the above - I would get as much advice in advance as you can. The statement that you don't need to worry about anything might be genuine, but having knowledge of where you stand early on is definitely a good idea.
If it were me, I dont think I’d want to leave the situation as an informal agreement, it’s too important. I do believe you will be entitled to a much larger share of the equity too, as you are the only contributor to the mortgage payments and are providing for the children.
I could be wrong, but the equity would be calculated on the value of the house at the point that she left, which would be 2012. Again, another reason to seek professional advice.
Best of luck
Definitely seek some professional legal advice and I also second the suggestion of calling Shelter.
It's probably likely that the council need to assess her eligibility for housing due to the fact there was a matrimonial home, I wouldn't think they would be looking for a reason not to help house her.
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