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Choices in retirement housing

Woman thinking about retirement housingAs you get older you may think about moving house. Take time before making a decision, talk about your plans with friends and family, and take independent advice.

This information guide explains:

  • the different types of housing that are available for older people
  • what you need to do to find a new home.

Download our free information guide from the top right corner of this screen or click on the links below: 

Index

 

Is moving the right choice?

Moving house is a big step, particularly leaving a home where you have lived for a long time and raised a family. Before deciding to move, consider whether you could stay in your current house with extra help and support.

If you are considering moving for financial reasons, check whether there are any benefits or grants that might ease the pressures you currently have. Are you receiving all the state benefits – including Council Tax Benefit – you are entitled to?

People living alone and some others may qualify to pay a reduced amount of Council Tax. If the upkeep and maintenance of your home are stretching your resources, there may be grants available for repairs or to upgrade your heating system.

If you are struggling to manage in your current home because of mobility problems or other disability, you may be able to get equipment or have the property adapted to meet your needs. This might range from simple items such as tap turners to major additions such as stairlifts. Doorways can be widened and ramps installed where access is an issue.

What next?Contact your local Age Concern or Citizens Advice Bureau for further information about benefits and grants. The Disabled Living Foundation can provide information about equipment and adaptations.

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Making the right move

Moving will only be a success if your new home is right for you. Below we set out some of the questions to consider, particularly if you are moving to a different area. Take time to think about what is important to you. Compare where you are going with where you are now.

  • Is suitable accommodation available within your budget? This includes size and type but you also need to consider – is it secure, in a good state of repair and easy to keep warm?
  • What are the local amenities like? Are there shops, health facilities, social clubs and places of worship in the area ? Will you be able to keep up your hobbies and interests?
  • What is public transport like? Even if you drive now, this may change in the future. This can be a particular issue in rural areas.
  • Will your friends and family be able to visit you easily, and you them?
  • How does the area feel to you? Will you be comfortable there?
  • If you are part of a couple, how will the other manage if one of you dies?
  • Will your new home be suitable, or adaptable, if you need more care and support in the future?

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Downsizing

Although this guide looks in particular at housing options for older people, you may also be able to find what you need in the mainstream housing market. Often this will mean moving to a smaller property. If you are a homeowner, the prospect of releasing some of the cash tied up in your current property can be appealing. Smaller does not always mean cheaper however, particularly if you are moving area. Some types of property, such as bungalows, may attract a premium depending on the local market.

There are also expenses involved in moving. Sellers incur legal fees, estate agents’ fees and, from June 2007, the cost of a home information pack. Buyers incur legal fees, stamp duty and survey costs. Removal expenses and new furniture will also drive up the cost. Any cash that you are left with may affect your eligibility for means-tested benefits. If you will be looking to rent, consider the availability and prices in the area you want to live in.

What next?Contact estate or letting agents in the area you want to live in. The Accessible Property Register website advertises accessible or adapted properties for sale or rent.

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Retirement (sheltered) housing

Retirement housing, often known as sheltered housing, is designed specifically for older people; often there are minimum age requirements. Commonly it is built in developments of about 20 to 40 self-contained flats or bungalows. There is almost always an alarm system linked to a 24-hour communication centre, which can summon help for you in an emergency, and usually a scheme manager (warden), who may live on site. Some developments have communal facilities such as a guest bedroom, which can be rented out if family or friends want to visit, a lounge, laundry and garden.

When you are looking for sheltered housing think about:

  • the size and design of individual units
  • the level of support available
  • what costs, including service charges, you would be responsible for
  • any rules that might adversely affect you, for example about keeping pets
  • how current residents view it as a place to live.

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Extra care sheltered housing

Extra care sheltered housing offers more support to residents than other retirement housing but allows them to retain more independence than moving to a care home. Residents still live in self-contained flats but meals may be provided, either in the flat or a shared dining room, and care staff are often available to provide personal care. Extra care housing is a comparatively recent development but is expected to become increasingly popular.

What next?Contact the Elderly Accommodation Counsel for suggestions based on your needs and preferred areas.

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The Abbeyfield Society

Abbeyfield houses cater for people looking for support in sheltered housing. Most of the accommodation is in houses of eight to twelve unfurnished bed-sitting rooms; many have en-suite or bathroom facilities, with a shared lounge, dining room and garden. The weekly charge usually includes two main meals a day, prepared by a resident housekeeper, and facilities for residents to prepare their own breakfast and snacks. A typical house also offers a call alarm system, an assisted bathroom and a network of support from local volunteers.

What next?Contact The Abbeyfield Society for more information.

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Almshouses

Almshouses are run by charitable trusts and offer low-cost accommodation for older people. Each charity will have a policy on who it will assist; for example, residents in a defined geographical area or retired workers of a particular trade. Residents in almshouse accommodation do not have the same legal rights as tenants elsewhere.

What next?Contact The Almshouse Association for further details.

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Care homes

Care homes provide accommodation, personal care and sometimes nursing care. They are staffed 24 hours a day and all meals are provided. Care homes are intended for older people whose care and support needs mean that they can no longer live independently. The costs are usually high compared to other housing options and the main source of help with fees is local authority social services. Before moving to a care home get social services to assess whether you need this type of care.

What next?Read our Information Guide How to find a care home.

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Park (mobile) homes

Park homes are prefabricated single-storey houses installed on a site or ‘home park’. They can be an affordable way of moving into an area that might otherwise be too expensive, but they are less secure than traditional freehold and leasehold property, as you own the park home but only rent the land on which it stands. Make sure you understand the legal implications before buying a park home. Talk to people on the particular site to see how happy they are with the arrangements.

What next?Check The Department of Communities and Local Government website for information and useful organisations for park home owners.

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Buying retirement housing

The market for retirement housing differs in some ways from that for ordinary housing. The developments are usually built by private companies or developers; units are sold on leasehold basis; and a management company takes on responsibility for upkeep of the development. In some areas there are schemes that are available for people who cannot afford the full market price, such as shared ownership schemes and lifetime occupancy.

There are also trade organisations that promote good service standards for developers and management companies: the National House Building Council (NHBC) and the Association of Retirement Housing Managers (ARHM). Members of these bodies agree to observe certain standards in how they operate. Your rights as a leaseholder are partly established in law and partly in the terms of your lease.

Seek independent, professional advice on your rights and responsibilities before you sign your lease. In addition to the purchase price you will have ongoing expenses, including service charges, ground rent, council tax and utility bills.

What next?Contact the Elderly Accommodation Counsel for more information about developers and management companies and for details of schemes in your preferred areas.

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Renting from the local authority

In many areas local councils are the main providers of rented housing. Council housing is allocated according to the council’s allocation or letting policy: this will give priority to applicants seen as having the greatest need. You have the right to see this policy.

To apply, you will have to provide information about yourself, usually including details of where you live now, your income, your savings and your health. This is used to establish what level of priority the council will give your application, including any specific needs such as being on the ground floor because of mobility problems. Most rented sheltered accommodation is administered by councils and housing associations.

If you are already a council tenant but wish to move to sheltered housing, approach the council and request a transfer. How readily this can be done will depend on the availability of this kind of housing and whether you are considered to need it.

What next?Contact the local authority and ask for details of its allocations policy and application procedure.

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Renting from a housing association

Housing associations are non-profit-making organisations that provide rented housing, including rented sheltered housing. Like councils, housing associations use allocations policies. You can request details of this policy. Often councils and housing associations operate joint registers together. Some housing associations accept direct referrals but they may still require that you put your name on the council’s housing register. Existing housing association tenants may be able to request a transfer to sheltered housing directly from their landlord.

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Renting from a private landlord

You can find housing to rent using the local press, websites or a letting agency. You should not be charged by a letting agency unless it has found you a property. Most private rental property is let on assured short-hold tenancies. This means that the landlord will have the right to end your tenancy after the first six months. Check the terms of your tenancy agreement for how much deposit you have to pay, how the rent is payable and who is responsible for maintenance and repairs. Private sheltered housing to rent is comparatively rare but the Elderly Accommodation Counsel may be able to help.

What next?If you are unsure about the terms of a contract, contact a local information and advice agency such as the Citizens Advice Bureau.

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Moving in with relatives

Moving in with relatives can seem like an attractive option and in many cases works well. If you are considering an arrangement of this kind, it is important for everyone to be honest and realistic in what they expect. You could move into your relative’s existing property, or they into yours. Self-contained ‘granny flats’ offer more privacy and can be added to existing properties. Alternatively you could purchase a larger property between you.

Issues that you need to be clear about include the level of support that your family can provide for you. What will happen if your care needs increase? If you invest in your relatives’ property, or purchase a property jointly, it can cause complications if you then have to be means tested for assistance with care home fees at some future point. Finally, are all the parties involved happy with the idea? It is best to share doubts at the outset rather than let resentment build up.

What next?If you are planning to invest in a relative’s property, or purchase one together, take legal advice and consider having a formal agreement drawn up. This can prevent misunderstanding and ill feeling later on.

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Moving to another area

If you are a council or housing association tenant you may be able to move to another area if you can show a need to do so; for example, moving closer to relatives. Check that any housing you are offered elsewhere is suitable. If you cannot secure a suitable offer you may still be able to swap homes with someone in a similar position who wishes to move to your area from
your desired area.

What next?Contact your housing office to see if you are eligible to move. The Direct Government website has details of schemes that can enable council and housing association tenants to move.

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Moving abroad

Moving abroad can seem an attractive option, and many of the issues are the same as for moves within the UK, but there are also some specific questions. Will you be comfortable working in another language ? What is the health and social care provision and who
is expected to pay for it ? Most state benefits are not payable outside the UK and your state pension may be frozen if you move abroad.

What next?Moving back to the UK later may be difficult, particularly if you have increased care needs. Contact the Age Concern Information Line for more information.

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Useful organisations

Abbeyfield Society (The)
A UK-wide volunteer-led charity providing housing with support or care for older people.
Tel: 01727 857536

Age Concern
Find details of your nearest local Age Concern on our site, or call the Age Concern Information Line on (free call) 0800 00 99 66.

AIMS (Advice, Information and Mediation Service)
Offers advice and information on issues affecting residents of sheltered housing.
Tel: 0845 600 2001 (lo-call rate)
Website: www.ageconcern.org.uk/aims

Almshouse Association (The)
Supports almshouse charities to provide low-cost accommodation for needy people, mostly elderly, according to each charity’s policy.
Tel: 01344 452922

Association of Retirement Housing Managers (ARHM)
Helping to raise standards in retirement housing.
Tel: 020 7463 0660
Email: enquiries@arhm.org

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
National network of free advice centres.
Tel: 020 7833 2188 (note: this number gives local contact details only, not advice).

Department of Communities and Local Government (The)
Tel: 0870 1226 236 (national call rate)

Disabled Living Foundation
Runs an equipment demonstration centre, provides information about equipment for daily living and a specialist advice service on clothing.
Helpline: 0845 130 9177 (lo-call rate)
Email: info@dlf.org.uk

Elderly Accommodation Counsel
Maintains a nationwide database of housing for older people and provides guidance to help enquirers choose suitable accommodation.
Tel: 020 7820 1343

 

Housing advice services

The availability and quality of housing advice varies from area to area. In some areas there may be a specific housing advice or housing aid centre. Your local council or Citizens Advice Bureau will be able to tell you if there is a housing advice centre in your area.

Housing Corporation
Government agency that funds and regulates registered social landlords (including housing associations) in England.
Tel: 0845 230 7000 (lo-call rate)

National House Building Council (NHBC)
The standard-setting body and leading warranty  provider for new and newly converted homes in the UK.
Tel: 01494 735363

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What should I do now?

If you would like more information on the issues in this guide please call the Age Concern Information Line free on 0800 00 99 66.

You can order free paper copies of all our information guides through our online Information Guide order form.  

We also publish books covering many of the above issues. Browse our online bookshop.

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Related books

We also publish books covering many of the above issues in our online bookshop. The following books may be of particular interest:

  • Choices in retirement housing - this book guides you through the housing options available to you and answers common questions about retirement housing.
  • Choices in retirement - the fourth edition includes new sections on getting the most out of the NHS, reducing household bills, adjusting to being at home, and grandparenting.

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