My mother lives in a nursing home in Michigan and will not be returning to her home. She is on Medicaid. Can I move my adult child into the home to protect the property from theft and to maintain the property? I will not be charging them rent as they will be maintaining the property.
I would think you have to charge rent at the rate for that area for the value of the rental.
As to maintaining it the "rent" money could then be used to maintain the property.
If you are supposed to maintain the property any receipts for work would need to be kept. So mowing the lawn, snow removal, repairs would all fall under that. Things like gas, electric maybe could be split since in order to maintain the property the heat has to remain on to avoid frozen pipes. But the the usage would be more if someone is living there. (this just seems logical, I am not a lawyer)
Please consult a professional.
This was not the person's residence before Mom was placed in LTC. I understand where your coming from but Medicaid looks at it as the rent could be offsetting her care. Even if you hold onto it till she passes, Medicaid will put a lean on it. That lean will need to be satisfied if the house is sold. If a spouse is involved the lean will be put on the house but won't be recouped until the spouse, dies, sells or leaves the home. Anyone else has to prove residency before Mom went into a NH. And that they can afford the upkeep.
So for me, I would sell the house and use the proceeds to pay for Moms care. It has to be sold at Market value.
I'm ending up making some "rube Goldberg" patches and changing my approach. In addition to the pandemic and potential spread by those who work in multiple areas, including inside, I'm just tired of trying to find help.
You'd also have to carry renter's insurance.
Another issue is whether or not the house needs any repairs now? If so, try to get estimates so you'll have an idea what you have to pay out originally.
I would make a list of all the known and regular expenses, do a good review of the house and identify potential repairs, contact trades people and find out their availability, as well as get estimates from realtors on the potential value of the home.
I think the bottom line is whether you can afford to maintain the house w/o any income from it, for an indefinite period.
I can understand that this is a challenging and difficult decision, so take your time to be thorough, and make sure that you're comfortable with your decision before moving forward.
Since your Mom is on Medicaid and in a nursing home, she cannot pay the property taxes on the house. She cannot pay the house insurance [which is different when there are "tenants" in the house]. She cannot pay for a new roof, plumbing repairs, fixing the appliances and everything else comes along with owning a house. Will all those cost be worth it for a house that may or may not stay with the family?
It may be just easier to just sell the house. Your Mom would then go off of Medicaid until all the funds are used up, then she can apply to return to Medicaid.