Moving in with your family - Multigenerational living and 'granny flat' arrangements

This publication is for: 
Senior
Documents: 
file type icon Moving in with your family - Multigenerational living and ‘granny flat’ arrangements
Multigenerational living is when people from two or more generations of a family live together in the same household or on the same property.
 
Perhaps you are considering entering into a multigenerational living arrangement because you hope to:
  • downsize from your large family home to a smaller, more manageable space;
  • help your adult children enter into home ownership;
  • secure a home following a late-life divorce or to ease other financial difficulties;
  • help your adult children and their families through a financial challenge e.g. divorce or job loss;
  • help your family with childcare, or home upkeep etc.;
  • establish a secure and safe living arrangement for the future; or
  • perhaps you’d like to live closer to family.
If you’re considering living with a multigenerational family, this guide provides information to help you:
  • consider different living arrangements;
  • take account of personal circumstances;
  • have open discussions with family;
  • think about legal and financial issues;
  • decide what’s best for you;
  • put your agreement in writing; and
  • better plan your life, live successfully and thrive in a multigenerational household.
If this sounds like you, this guide can help you start an open and honest conversation with your family.
 
Topics include:
  • Multigenerational living: what is it?
  • The big picture: what type of living arrangement do you want?
    • Granny flat
    • Your home for life - the granny flat interest/right
    • The granny flat interest/right exceptions
    • Co-purchased property
  • Getting personal: what do you really need?
  • Hard chat: having open and honest discussions with your family
  • Protect your interests: the value of independent legal and financial advice
    • Legal advice
    • Financial advice
  • It is OK to say no: when one size doesn’t fit all
  • Get it in writing: formalising your agreement
  • Plan now: preparing for the future
  • Meet and greet: regular meetings promote shared understandings
  • Contacts and more information
  • Appendix A: Important points to consider
  • Appendix B: Future scenarios and conversation starters
  • Appendix C: Legal and financial discussion points
Consumer Protection
Brochure
Last updated 15 Feb 2021
First published 22 Dec 2020

Last modified: