It's the question families ask most. The honest answer is: it depends on who lives there, how it's owned and what has been planned in advance.
When the home is ignored
- For the first 12 weeks of permanent care (the 12-week property disregard).
- For as long as a spouse or partner still lives there.
- For as long as a relative aged 60 or over, or one who is disabled, has lived there and still does.
- Councils can also choose to ignore it in other cases, such as a carer who gave up their home.
When it counts
If none of those apply, the home is usually counted after 12 weeks. With the home counted, almost every homeowner is over £23,250 and pays the full fee.
Counting it doesn't mean an immediate sale
Many people can ask the council for a deferred payment agreement. The council pays the fees and recovers them later from the home. It avoids a rushed sale, but the money still comes out of the home in the end, with interest and charges.
Couples: the bigger risk
When one of a couple goes into care, the home is protected while the other lives there. The danger often comes later. If everything passes to the survivor and they then need care, the whole home may be counted. How the home is owned and what each will says can make a real difference here, but these are things that need to be sorted out while both are well.
Why "just give it to the children" doesn't work
If the council decides assets were given away to avoid care fees, it can treat you as still owning them. There's no time limit, and it can also cause problems with tax and with the children's own circumstances. Deprivation of assets explained.
Would your home count? Take the 1-minute check or speak to a specialist.
Frequently asked questions
How long before the council counts my house?
The home is ignored for the first 12 weeks of permanent care. After that it's usually counted unless a qualifying person still lives there.
What is a deferred payment agreement?
An arrangement with the council where it pays the care fees and recovers them, with interest and charges, from the home later, usually when it's sold or after death.
Can my house be protected from care fees?
Sometimes, legitimately, depending on who lives there, how it's owned and what's in the wills. Giving it away to avoid fees can be treated as deprivation of assets.
Talk to a specialist
Tell us a little about your situation and a specialist will call you back, usually within one working day. No obligation, and we know these conversations can be difficult.