How to sell a house quickly when someone goes into care
When someone enters a care home, selling their house is often necessary to help cover care fees. But if speed is a priority — whether for financial, legal, or practical reasons — the process can become overwhelming. This guide explains your legal responsibilities, the fastest routes to sale, and how to protect your loved one’s best interests along the way.
Selling quickly to fund care is possible — but it requires careful planning and the right authority.
- You need Power of Attorney or legal deputyship to sell on someone else’s behalf.
- A 12-week ‘property disregard’ may be available to delay the need for sale.
- Deferred Payment Agreements (DPAs) can also cover fees short-term.
- Cash buyers are usually fastest, with sales in 3–4 weeks.
- Traditional sales or auctions may take longer but achieve higher value.
Legal authority to sell the property
Before you can sell, you must ensure you have the legal right to act on the person’s behalf. This usually means:
- Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) – for financial decisions if the person still had mental capacity when it was granted.
- Court of Protection deputyship – if no LPA is in place and the person has lost mental capacity.
Without either, the sale cannot legally proceed. Getting deputyship can take several months, so act quickly if it’s needed.
What is the 12-week property disregard?
If the individual going into care owns their home, the local authority won’t include the property in financial assessments for the first 12 weeks of permanent care.
During this window:
- The council may cover care fees temporarily.
- You gain time to arrange a sale without immediate financial pressure.
- This applies only if no other person is living in the home who would exempt it from being counted (e.g. spouse, dependent).
Deferred Payment Agreements (DPAs)
If the house doesn’t sell within 12 weeks, a Deferred Payment Agreement may be available. This lets the council continue paying care fees, which are repaid later when the property is sold.
It’s not automatic — you must apply and meet criteria, including:
- The property is not already disregarded.
- There’s enough equity in the home to cover the loan.
- You agree to place a legal charge (similar to a mortgage) on the property.
This option buys time without needing to sell immediately — but the debt accrues until repaid.
Fast house sale options
If you're looking for a quick property sale, here are the most common routes — along with their pros and cons.
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Tips for selling fast (without compromising best interests)
Even when speed matters, you still have a duty to act in the best interests of your loved one — especially if you’re a legal representative.
1. Price strategically
A slightly lower asking price may attract more interest and secure a quicker buyer. But avoid pricing too far below market value unless justified — particularly if others are inheriting or the person’s financial care needs depend on the sale value.
2. Choose the right buyer
Cash buyers, like Habello, offer a guaranteed sale within weeks. They don’t require mortgage checks, surveys, or viewings — ideal when time is tight.
3. Declutter and present well
You don’t need full renovations, but small actions — such as cleaning, removing clutter, and repairing obvious issues — can help you secure better offers, even in a quick sale.
4. Consider reservation agreements
These protect against buyers pulling out last minute. Some agents offer these, or you can explore buyer commitments to reduce uncertainty.
What if the person going into care still has needs?
Sometimes families worry that selling the house will negatively affect their loved one’s care plan or benefits. If this applies:
- Seek advice from a financial adviser with care home funding experience.
- Look into whether the person’s means-tested benefits will be impacted by the sale proceeds.
- Consider keeping the house during a DPA or renting it short term if more flexibility is needed.
Habello can help you sell quickly — and fairly
If time is critical, a cash house sale may be the simplest solution. At Habello, we buy houses in any condition, with:
- No estate agents or listings.
- No fees or commissions.
- A flexible timeline that fits your needs.
We help families sell properties swiftly when someone enters care — with full legal support and sensitivity to the situation.
Recap: Authors’ thoughts
Selling a home to fund care is emotionally and financially difficult — but having the right support makes it easier. Whether you choose a fast cash buyer, a deferred agreement, or traditional sale, make sure you’ve got:
- Legal authority in place.
- A realistic pricing strategy.
- Clarity on ongoing care costs.
- Support from professionals you trust.
With the right plan, you can balance speed, value, and your loved one’s best interests.
Property owners are choosing Habello for a faster, easier and less stressful way to sell
Sell your home quickly for cash by accepting an offer just below market value. See how we compare to your other options by using the calculator below.
