An almshouse is a private house which is used normally for the purpose of providing accommodation for older people who would pay no rent or a token amount.
There are around 1,800 almshouse charities in the UK including here in Glastonbury which collectively provide accommodation for around 36,000 people. Do almspersons occupy the property as licencees or tenants? How can almshouse arrangements be terminated?
For purposes of law, almspersons are not tenants and are therefore considered licencees. More details can be found here
In order to validly end an arrangement made with an almsperson to reside in an almshouse, it would be necessary to serve a valid Notice to Quit. The provisions of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 should be kept in mind. Section 5 of the Act states that no notice by a licensor or a licensee to determine a periodic licence to occupy premises as a dwelling (whether the licence was granted before or after the passing of this Act) shall be valid unless—(a)it is in writing and contains such information as may be prescribed, and(b)it is given not less than 4 weeks before the date on which it is to take effect.
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