Advice on doing a Lap
Submitted: Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 12:11
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Andrea11
Hello everyone,
I'm just after some advice. I have a husband who is disabled and is on a Centrelink Disability Pension. I would really love to take him on a lap of Australia. I can hook and set up our Caravan on my own so that is not a problem. It is more about affordability. We own our
home and wondered if anyone out there rents theirs out and does this effect the disability Pension. I know this is probably a Q for Centerlink and I will make contact with them early next week. I just wondered if there was anyone else out there that was in our same position and what it is they do to be able to afford to do the Lap.....
Thanks in advance to you all..
Andrea
Reply By: Motherhen - Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 12:37
Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 12:37
Hi Andrea
Good on you - find a way to do it. Lots already are.
I would not rent out my own
home, other than to trusted close family. If i was selling to finance the rig, i would buy a 'rental property' first, but never rely on rent to make loan payments, and allow for the fact that the occasional tenant can trash the house. That would however, give you some real estate security to sell and set up again after the trip.
On the road living may be a bit dearer due to higher costs of fuel and food in remote areas, and the fact that you can't bulk buy to make savings like you can when at
home. Otherwise it will be similar or sometimes cheaper (eg no electricity bills).
Costs are what you make them. How far you travel in a day, how long you stay in one place, whether you
free camp a lot, whether you go to a lot of
places with entrance fees or take cruises and flights for sight seeing.
Try and set aside an emergency fund so you are not stranded with a major
breakdown, or you can fly '
home' in case of a health or family emergency.
Ask Centrelink again and again. You just may get different answers.
Enjoy this wonderful land.
Motherhen
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Andrea11 - Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 12:43
Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 12:43
Thanks Motherhen,
Luckily we already have the caravan and 4wd so don't we don't need to worry about set up costs, and we are able to
free camp where ever we go. I just wondered if it were possible to be able to rent our
home to cover our travelling expenses along with still being able to collect the Disability Pension......Last thing I would like to do is get into trouble in this area...
FollowupID:
696341
Follow Up By: Motherhen - Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 12:54
Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 12:54
Rent is income, so as you say, you need to clarify your position thoroughly with Centrelink first. If you get advice from others, their circumstances will be different to yours, and the advice may not be correct for your situation.
My personal bias against renting my own
home comes from my experiences both renting out property and from working in rental property management. Unless you are prepared to put up with extra wear and tear and maintenance costs, and willing to re-furbish (paint, window treatments etc) when you return, you may be in for a shock that most tenants do not look after and maintain a
home as you do your own (even good tenants and with the best of property managers). Some people have good stories to tell, but on the law of averages, i would not rent out my own
home other than to trusted family members.
Mh
FollowupID:
696342
Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 13:01
Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 13:01
from the experience of a close friend here, I would first phone your local Centerlink office, ask to make an appointment with someone who specializes in the field you will need the answer in.
They had two different answers from two different people in same Centerlink office.
Lost money, then had it restored, unaware of their situation in full, so won't claim anything here.
Maîneÿ . . .
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 13:12
Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 13:12
Very wise advice from Mainey.
Mh
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Follow Up By: Andrea11 - Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 13:21
Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 13:21
Thanks everyone,
Was just curios I take the point and will make an appointment with centrelink outlining our position. Your all a wonderful group of people with great advice on many different topics and I for one appreciate all the information and help you have given to not only myself but to other green horns like me...
Warmest Regards
Andrea
FollowupID:
696345
Follow Up By: Cliveg - Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 18:05
Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 18:05
when you visit Centre Link, get it all down in writing with an official stamp, they have a habit of loosing or forgetting what they say
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