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Help with choosing your new home

There is plenty of specialist advice available from organisations and charities, along with standards and codes that govern the provision of housing and services in the retirement housing sector.

Retirement living options

Why and when to make the move

Many people start to think about moving when their current home becomes harder to manage, everyday tasks start to take longer, or they start to have health issues. For others, the loss of a loved one may have left them feeling lonely or isolated. For those who do choose to make the move to a retirement property, there are many benefits:

  • Retirement properties are designed to be easier to look after with accessible features
  • New homes are better insulated and more energy efficient than older period homes, meaning they are warmer and cheaper to run
  • Typically, an on-site manager or support team (often providing care) are on hand to help you with any issues
  • It is easier to access care services when needed
  • May retirement homes are designed as communities, with communal areas and events to create a vibrant social scene

New homebuyer’s checklist

Here are just a few of the things you might want to consider when looking for your new home:

  • Proximity and ease of access to local shops, health centres and other amenities – especially if you no longer drive
  • Access to community spaces, communal gardens and events if you are keen to make the most of the social side of retirement living
  • Look at the different types of housing on offer. Every development is slightly different, with its own range of housing and services, sometimes with a care option
  • Always check costs upfront before buying or renting
 

Service charges

The service charges that are provided in retirement housing to support residents are paid for through a service charge. The charge covers the costs of running the development, including its on-site teams, grounds maintenance, upkeep of communal areas, emergency call systems, buildings insurance and repairs to scheme equipment, like lifts and boilers. It can also cover additional support and care, although there may be an extra charge for these services. Service charges are governed by national legislation and retirement operators are obliged to adhere to the Code of Practice by the Association of Retirement Housing Managers. It is important to check the service charge before moving into a retirement property to ensure it is affordable. Where properties are for rent, the service charge is typically covered in the rent payment. 

Resales

Many retirement housing operators provide support for homeowners and their families when the time comes to resell a retirement property, including their own resales team and other services. As with any property, it is likely that there will still be costs to pay while the property is being resold, including the service charge. Many operators allow for the deferment of the service charge during this period. It is important to check what support is available before you move and ensure you are comfortable with the policies that are in place. 

Additional resources

Whether you are moving within the local area or relocating to be close to family, there are options all over the country. The EAC First Stop directory includes details of most retirement housing schemes across the UK. Autumna also provide a useful database of retirement housing developments.

If you are looking for retirement housing in the social rented sector you should contact the local council or a housing association.

There is also plenty of specialist advice available from different organisations and charities. These include:

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