FAQs - Retirement Property Questions

Brochures are available for specific retirement housing developments. These can be ordered online on the development page or if there’s a specific location you’re interested in you can call 0800 201 4811 or contact us online for more information.

From virtual tours to welcoming events and open days, the chance to talk to homeowners,  personalised visits – or even overnight stays, our friendly sales team will walk you through all the viewing options available. Simply call us today on 0800 201 4811 to get started or alternatively book a visit or event online through your chosen retirement housing development page.

It’s when you agree to buy a property before the development is completed (usually around 6 months before). This gives you the benefit of the first choice of McCarthy Stone retirement properties and plenty of time to prepare. Buying a retirement property before it’s finished may sound daunting, but we’ll give you plenty of information, including floor plans, to help you visualise your new home. Read our off plan guide.

If you’re planning to move into a retirement property, we have a range of flexible options to suit your lifestyle and budget. As well as retirement homes for sale, we also offer retirement property to rent, part buy, part rent and shared ownership.

Once you’ve reserved your retirement property, it’s likely you’ll need to sell your current home. Part exchange means we’ll buy the property from you making the process quicker and easier.

Our Part Exchange offer includes:

• Certainty: relax in the knowledge that you’ll move in on a set date and that the sale price is fixed.
• Convenience: enjoy a stress-free way to sell your home without redecorating or having to prepare your home for viewings.
• Access: to your sold property for up to two weeks after completion.
• Financial benefits:  there is no need to pay for estate agent fees and we’ll provide up to £1,000 towards solicitor fees*.
• A Smooth Move: our part exchange offer includes a free specialist removals service.

Part Exchange in just 3 simple steps:  

1. Valuation:
   Three independent local estate agents and a surveyor will value your property.
2. Offer:
   You’ll receive an offer from us based on these valuations. There’s no obligation to accept, and you may get a higher price on the open market. It’s up to you whether the benefits of part exchange outweigh this.
3. Sold:
   Should you accept this offer, we’ll work with your legal representatives to finalise the contracts — and even contribute £1,000 towards your solicitor fees*.

*T&Cs apply. Read the full T&Cs

Yes. Most of our retirement developments are more than happy for you to move in with a well-behaved pet – most of our retirement rentals are pet friendly too. Call 0800 201 4811 for details, contact us online or read more about our pet-friendly policy.

Yes. You can use lightweight motorised scooters (maximum speed 4 mph) inside the developments. This type of scooter must be stored in your retirement property. Class 3 (maximum speed 8 mph) scooters can only be used outside. These are kept in the scooter storeroom – usually you can charge them in there too. Please note, spaces for scooters are limited and subject to availability. Conditions also apply depending on the development. The sales team will explain these to you.

McCarthy Stone retirement properties are designed for independent senior living. While there’s help and support on offer, especially at our assisted living developments, our retirement housing is not suitable for people with significant care needs like advanced dementia. If that’s a concern, it’s important that buyers and their families understand the limit of the support McCarthy Stone can offer. If McCarthy Stone is unsure whether a would-be homeowner needs more support than we can offer, a care manager may ask to make a home visit to discuss their concerns or to speak to the customer’s GP.

If a homeowner develops dementia while living in our retirement housing, there’s a lot we can do to support them in living a happy and independent life. If they can no longer live safely in a retirement development, we will work with them and their family to help them move to a more specialised setting.

The safety of our homeowners is our top priority. On all the developments that we manage, we have robust maintenance programmes in place and take appropriate action whenever necessary. Read more information about all our fire safety measures.

We are committed to supporting our customers and homeowners at every stage of their journey with us and we work hard to ensure our actions meet high standards of transparency and fairness. To do this, we sign up to the following bodies, codes of conducts and regulations to ensure our customers and homeowners are fully protected:

• The Property Ombudsman
• The Association of Residential Managing Agents
• The Consumer Code for Home Builders
• Build UK (Client Member)
• The Property Factors Register (Scotland)
• Property Mark
• Rent Smart Wales
• The Regulator of Social Housing (Shared Ownership)
• The Housing Ombudsman (Shared Ownership)
• Care Inspectorate Scotland
• Care Quality Commission (England)
• Care Inspectorate Wales

When it comes to finding your ideal retirement housing, you should consider which of our development types best fits your needs. We offer two senior living options with different services and differing age restrictions:

• Retirement Living: Luxurious and low-maintenance independent living retirement properties in prime locations, exclusively for those aged over 60. These developments also include an on-site manager and shared spaces for socialising. Learn more about Retirement Living.
• Retirement Living PLUS: Featuring all the benefits of Retirement Living — PLUS assisted living facilities like an on-site restaurant/bistro, a manager on-site 24-hours and optional care. Exclusively for those aged 70 and over. Learn more about Retirement Living PLUS.

Our Retirement Living properties are contemporary, cost-efficient and energy efficient private retirement apartments in sought-after locations. Exclusive to over 60s, you’ll benefit from a friendly on-site manager and access to communal areas like beautifully maintained gardens and sociable lounges with free wi-fi. You’ll find a community of neighbours on your doorstep and, with a calendar full of regular clubs, events and parties on offer, you’ve plenty of opportunities to make new friends.

There is no age limit for buying one of our apartments, but there are age restrictions on who is allowed to live in them.  

Each development has its own lease requirements, so it is always best to check, but usually to have sole occupancy of a Retirement Living apartment you need to be aged 60 or over. For joint occupancy, one of the occupants has to be over 60 and the other over 55. The lease will state that you’re not permitted to occupy an apartment under the age limit set. There’s no upper age limit.

Retirement Living PLUS allows you to lead an independent lifestyle with optional assisted living facilities on hand if you need them. Exclusively for those aged 70 and over, you’ll benefit from luxurious and low-maintenance retirement apartments in fabulous UK locations, alongside an on-site restaurant/bistro, a manager on-site 24-hours and the option of bespoke domestic and personal care packages.

There is no age limit for buying one of our apartments, but there are age restrictions on who is allowed to live in them.  

Each development has its own lease requirements, so it is always best to check, but usually to have sole occupancy of a Retirement Living PLUS apartment you need to be aged 70 or over. For joint occupancy, one of the occupants has to be over 70 and the other over 65. The lease will state that you’re not permitted to occupy an apartment under the age limit set. There’s no upper age limit.

The age restrictions are often imposed by council planning departments and are in line with government policy which encourages purpose-built accommodation for older people. As the UK’s leading developer and manager of retirement communities, building homes for the over 60s is what McCarthy Stone do. We create beautiful senior living housing in thriving communities.

Yes. You can rent out the apartment provided your tenant(s) meet the criteria for occupiers set out in the lease. We need advance notice of the proposed rental agreement, and we ask for a reasonable contingency fee to be paid into an account held on trust for repairs to the property. Talk to your sales consultant, contact us online or call 0800 201 4811 for more information.

Yes. Family or friends can own an apartment for someone else, but only people that meet the age requirements and criteria for the development can live in it.

Yes. A number of lenders offer specialist retirement property mortgages. Talk to your sales consultant, contact us online or call 0800 201 4811 for advice.

Yes. As a registered builder with the NHBC, all new McCarthy Stone retirement housing comes with a 10-year NHBC Buildmark.

Buildmark guarantee includes:

• Pre-completion deposit protection
• Two-year builder warranty period
• Eight-year insurance policy for physical damage to the retirement home caused by a failure to build to the NHBC Technical Requirements

Talk to your sales consultant, contact us online or call 0800 201 4811 for more information.

Once contracts have been exchanged a completion date will be confirmed by your solicitor and/or one of our sales consultants. The completion date is the day the retirement property legally becomes yours. Usually there is a two-week gap between exchange and completion to allow you time to prepare and book removal services. It is also possible to exchange and complete on the same day if you want to.

Talk to your sales consultant, contact us online or call 0800 201 4811 for more information about the moving process.

The completion date is the day when ownership of the retirement home legally transfers from McCarthy Stone to you. There is often a two-week gap between the exchange date and the completion to allow you time to prepare. However, it is possible to make the handover that day should you choose to do so.  

Talk to your sales consultant, contact us online or call 0800 201 4811 for more information about the moving process.

Our Smooth Move service is our way of making the move to your new retirement property much easier.

Our Smooth Move package includes:

• Up to £2,500 towards estate agent fees* when you sell your existing property through our recommended estate agents
• Up to £1,000 towards legal fees* when you use one of our recommended independent solicitors
• Free specialist removals* to help you pack, transport, and unpack your possessions into your new retirement home
• Access to handyperson services to help you put up shelves, hang pictures and more.

To find out more, speak to our team about McCarthy Stone’s Smooth Move removals service on 0800 201 4811 or contact us online.

*T&Cs apply. Read the full T&Cs.

The majority of McCarthy Stone retirement properties increase in value when resold. For retirement homes bought new in the last three years and since resold by our in-house resales estate agency service, for example, the net increase averages 7%. The resales team has a unique understanding of retirement living, enabling us to communicate all the benefits clearly, and a waiting list of customers for some retirement developments.

We’re continuing to improve our retirement housing to ensure properties retain their value.

This includes:

• Expanding upon and improving internal space with things like ensuites, walk-in wardrobes, level-access showers, ergonomic design, hidden care, walk out balconies and more
• Setting up in-house management services teams dedicated to high standards for customers
• Removing exit fees* and introducing 999-year leases.

Much more than a financial investment

It’s also important to remember that our retirement homes are not simply a financial investment, they are an investment in the quality of life for our customers and their families. Our customers are buying into a lifestyle based around security, comfort, friendship, ease of maintenance, support on hand, community, safety and well-being.

To learn more about our resales service, speak to a member of our resales team on 0345 556 4104 or email [email protected].

*A 1% contribution of the resale price still applies upon resale. This goes into the sinking fund (the contingency fund) for each development, which covers maintenance. There is also a small admin fee to cover the costs of checking that the incoming occupier meets the terms of the deed of conditions. Please contact our Property Transfer team on 01202 508299 for more details.

Our retirement bungalows and cottages are sold on a freehold basis, as they are standalone homes. To find out more, speak to our friendly team on 0800 201 4811 or contact us online.

Yes. Information on the Right to Manage is given to every homeowner in the Purchasers Information Pack when they move into a McCarthy Stone retirement home. It explains residents’ rights, including the right to set up their own management company or to go to a third-party provider. We offer to pay reasonable legal costs to homeowners who wish to establish a Right to Manage company. There are websites offering advice to homeowners wanting to exercise this right. So far, none of our homeowners have done so and we continue to provide services on their behalf.

To find out more, talk to our friendly team on 0800 201 4811 or contact us online.

Part buy, part rent offers a flexible and affordable alternative to outright purchase, with all the benefits of ownership. It can be a great alternative to buying a retirement property outright.

How it works

You purchase a minimum 50% share in a brand-new McCarthy Stone retirement home and pay rent on the part you don’t own.

Benefits include*:

• You may be able to access cash tied up in your existing property (known as ‘equity release’).
• You can choose to buy a bigger percentage of your retirement home in the future (called ‘staircasing – see the FAQ) – this reduces the rent you pay.
• If you want, we may be able to buy your existing property as a part exchange.
• You’ll be eligible for our free Smooth Move removal service, plus a contribution to legal and estate agent fees.

For additional information, speak to a member of our team on 0800 201 4811 or get in touch online.

*T&Cs apply. Read the full T&Cs.

No. Part buy, part rent is available at selected McCarthy Stone developments.

Call 0800 201 4811 or get in touch online for more information. 

70% is the standard option – there are options to increase this over time, known as staircasing.

Call 0800 201 4811 or get in touch online to find out more about part exchange.

The rent is set at the point of purchase. An annual rent review on the date specified in your lease will be indexed to movements in the Retail Price Index (RPI) subject to a minimum of 0.5%. RPI has been in the range 1-4% since 2013 and was 3.3% in March 2018. 3.3% is equivalent to an extra £1.98 per week for typical rent of £60 per week.

Call 0800 201 4811 or contact us online to find out more about the rent you will pay on your part buy, part rent retirement property.

You can purchase further 10% increments, based on the valuation of the retirement housing at the time you want to buy a new share – this is called ‘staircasing’. You can staircase up to 100% and at that point you own the property and no longer pay rent. You would still need to pay service charges and ground rent (if applicable) to McCarthy Stone.

Each time you staircase you need to plan for additional costs such as valuation fees, legal expenses and SDLT*/LTT** if applicable.

Call 0800 201 4811 or contact us online to find out more about staircasing on your part buy, part rent retirement property.

*Stamp Duty Land Tax
**Land Transaction Tax (LTT) has replaced SDLT in Wales since April 2018.

You may need to pay SDLT*/LTT** on a part buy, part rent property, but you might have less to pay than if you had purchased outright. You should seek advice from your solicitor to confirm how much you have to pay.

Call 0800 201 4811 or contact us online to learn more.

*Stamp Duty Land Tax
**Land Transaction Tax (LTT) has replaced SDLT in Wales from April 2018.

Both Older Persons Shared Ownership (OPSO) and Shared Ownership let you buy a percentage of a property and pay the remaining share in affordable monthly rent. However, with Older Persons Shared Ownership you can buy 75% of the property without paying rent on the outstanding share. Other shares are available with rent. 

Older Persons Shared Ownership is only available to people aged 55 and over who meet the eligibility criteria, including the age criteria for the McCarthy Stone retirement development you want to buy in (usually over 60 for Retirement Living and over 70 for Retirement Living PLUS). It makes it easier for senior people to manage finances and cater for future needs.

Find out more about how Older Persons Shared Ownership works.

McCarthy Stone’s Older Persons Shared Ownership is run in partnership with Homes England and is ideal for those who want to enjoy the McCarthy Stone lifestyle without paying the full purchase price. OPSO means you can purchase a share of 75% or 50% of the overall property value.

• If you choose to buy 75% of the property, you won’t have to pay rent on the outstanding share.
• If you buy a 50% share you’ll pay an affordable monthly rent on the remaining 50%. It is only available on select properties. 

To qualify for Older Person’s Shared Ownership, you need to be 55 or older. Additionally, there will be age criteria for the McCarthy Stone retirement development you want to buy in (usually over 60 for for Retirement Living and over 70 for Retirement Living PLUS). Apart from that, the main criteria is that you must own only one property and have a household income of less than £80,000 (£90,000 in London).

Find out more about Older Persons Shared Ownership

Older Persons Shared Ownership makes retirement homeownership more affordable for seniors, so it’s easier to manage finances and cater for future needs.

• When you purchase 50% of the property, you’ll pay an affordable monthly rent
• When you buy 75% of the property value you don’t pay any rent. 

As well as access to more affordable, accessible retirement properties in prime locations up and down the UK, with Older Persons Shared Ownership you are eligible to claim up to £500 a year to help with essential repairs for ten years. This covers items in the home that supply water and electricity such as basins, baths, toilets and also cables, but not fixtures, or appliances such as ovens or washing machines. Pipes and drainage items for heating and hot water are also included.

Find out more about how Older Persons Shared Ownership works.

To qualify for Older Person’s Shared Ownership, you need to be 55 or older. Additionally, there will be age criteria for the McCarthy Stone retirement development you want to buy in (usually over 60 for Retirement Living and over 70 for Retirement Living PLUS). Apart from that, the main criteria is that you own only one property and have a household income of less than £80,000 (£90,000 in London).

Find out more about Older Persons Shared Ownership.

We offer a wide selection of Older Persons Shared Ownership properties across England. However, not every McCarthy Stone development offers Older Persons Shared Ownership and not all properties at every development are eligible. If you want to know whether a specific development has Shared Ownership available you can message us online or call our friendly Sales Consultants on 0800 201 4811. 

Yes! At McCarthy Stone, we understand that pets are an important part of the family. That’s why our pet-friendly policy lets you bring your furry companion with you to the majority of our retirement properties including Shared Ownership homes.

Find out more about Older Persons Shared Ownership.

Yes. Our retirement properties to rent provide a quick, easy, and flexible way to enjoy stress-free senior living. With one monthly payment which includes the service charge, it’s easy to budget too. You’ll be fully protected by an assured tenancy agreement, which means we can’t ever ask you to leave unless you break the rules.

To find out more about our retirement rentals speak to our helpful team on 0800 201 4811 or contact us online.

You can find retirement properties to rent at a number of our developments and retirement villages. Please check with the team or call 0800 201 4811 for more information about our senior living retirement rentals.

An Assured Tenancy on a retirement rental gives you legal protection, meaning that if you abide by the conditions of your tenancy, you can live in the property for as long as you like. If you wish to move at the end of 12 months, then you can serve notice after 10 months to give two months’ notice. The notice period is always two months.

Contact us online or call 0800 201 4811 for more information about our retirement rentals.

If you rent one of our retirement rentals, McCarthy Stone will become your landlord. McCarthy Stone does sell its rental apartments to trusted property investment companies, however, the terms of your Assured Tenancy agreement remain unchanged. McCarthy Stone retains ongoing responsibility for the management of the retirement development and will continue to have a direct relationship with you.

Contact us online or call 0800 201 4811 for more information about our retirement rentals.

Yes - to ensure that a retirement rental option is right for you - and affordable in the longer term - there will be standard checks as regulated by the Assured Tenancy agreement.

Contact us online or call 0800 201 4811 for more information about the financial checks we need for rental properties.

If you’d like to move into a McCarthy Stone retirement rental, we’ll ask you to complete a Rental Application Pack and an Income and Expenditure form. These give us the information we need to do standard background checks. You’ll be asked for proof of income, savings and/or pensions, along with copies of your last three months’ bank statements. You’ll also be asked to provide identification documents that comply with the latest Government Right to Rent regulations.

Contact us online or call 0800 201 4811 for more information about moving into our retirement rentals.

Yes. You pay a deposit to secure your rental retirement property which is offset against your first month’s rental payment. A Tenancy Deposit, equivalent to five weeks' rent, will need to be paid when your tenancy begins.

Contact us online or call 0800 201 4811 for more information about deposits.

Before you can move into your rental retirement property, you will need to pay the first month’s rent together with your security deposit, minus the reservation deposit you’ve already paid. The security deposit is equivalent to five weeks' rent. Don’t worry, we’ll make sure you know the exact amount you need to pay in plenty of time. McCarthy Stone is part of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme and our membership number is G10625. Download the Tenancy Deposit Scheme leaflet.

Contact us online or call 0800 201 4811 for more information about deposits and fees on our retirement rentals.

All payments for our retirement rentals are due on the 1st of each month and must be paid by direct debit. Your rent includes all of the development’s service charges, ground rents (if applicable) and property maintenance.

Contact us online or call 0800 201 4811 for more information about our retirement rentals.

Yes. You can make an amendment to the rental agreement on your retirement property provided McCarthy Stone agrees. A £50 administration fee will be charged.

Contact us online or call 0800 201 4811 to find out more about our retirement properties to rent.

Unless we say otherwise, you are responsible for paying for council tax, electricity, gas, water, sewage rates, TV licence etc. It is your responsibility to tell suppliers that you have moved in and to set up payment. In most of our developments water and sewage are included in the rent.

Call 0800 201 4811 or get in touch online or to find out more about what is included in the property you wish to rent.

Yes. The rent is set at the point of purchase. An annual rent review on the date specified in your lease will be indexed to movements in the Retail Price Index (RPI) subject to a minimum of 0.5%.

Get in touch by phoning 0800 201 4811 or online to find out more about how rental payments work.

Apart from being fitted with carpets, our retirement properties to rent are supplied unfurnished.

Call 0800 201 4811 or get in touch online or to find out more about what is included in our retirement properties to rent.

No. We do not allow smoking in your rental retirement home or the communal areas within our retirement developments.

Call 0800 201 4811 or get in touch online to find out more about our no smoking policy.

We charge a fee for the cost of chasing rental payments that are more than 14 days overdue. The fee is 3% above the Bank of England’s annual percentage rate and it is charged for each day the rent is late.

Call 0800 201 4811 or get in touch online or to find out more.

If you lose or damage the keys to your retirement home, you will be charged reasonable costs to provide replacements.

Call 0800 201 4811 or get in touch online or to find out more. 

You may leave after 12 months as long as you give us 2 months’ notice.

Call 0800 201 4811 or get in touch online or to find out more.

Yes. McCarthy Stone is a member of The Property Ombudsman. Our membership number is: T04786.

Yes, we are members of the ARLA Propertymark association for letting agents and we comply with their code of practice and bylaws. This means you can have the utmost trust in the service we provide. See McCarthy Stone’s Propertymark certification below:

• Propertymark CMP Main Scheme Certificate
• Propertymark CMP Security Certificate

Yes, absolutely. If you rent your retirement property, you’ll enjoy the same access to facilities, amenities, and events as everyone else on the development, including the communal lounges, the landscaped gardens and a lively calendar of social events. On our Retirement Living PLUS developments for the over 70s, you can also benefit from the onsite bistro/restaurant and access to domestic and personal care services and assisted living facilities.

It’s important that the housing decision you make is suitable for your personal and financial circumstances, which is why we carry out an initial affordability check.

Your rent, service charge and ground rent (if applicable) are contractual agreements between you and your landlord. If you do fall behind, your landlord will contact you to arrange payment or to work out a payment plan to suit the circumstances.

Yes, you will pay a service charge, but this is included in your monthly rent as one monthly payment. The prices you see advertised on our rental properties include the service charge.

No, under the terms of the Assured Tenancy agreement subletting your retirement rental property is not permitted.

The inventory contains details of the rental retirement property and its contents. This document should be checked carefully in case of a dispute at the end of your tenancy. If you disagree with anything in it you must let the manager of your McCarthy Stone retirement development know within 14 days of the start of your tenancy. If we do not hear from you, we will assume that you agree that it is accurate.

Phone 0800 201 4811 or get in touch online for more information.

Yes. We sometimes carry out inspections to check the condition of the retirement property and to see if there’s any maintenance work we need to do. We will contact you to arrange a convenient time before we visit.

We strongly recommend you take out tenants’ contents insurance to protect your belongings during your time in a rented retirement property. It should also cover accidental damage to the fixtures and fittings.

Your sales consultant can help you to find suitable insurance. Call 0800 201 4811 or get in touch online for more information.

• Guide to renting (England)
• Guide to renting (Wales)
• Rental fees - England
• Rental fees - Wales

We are always completely transparent about our service charges and we will talk you through all the costs involved in living in a McCarthy Stone retirement property before you buy. You’ll receive a service charge leaflet, and your sales consultant will sit down with you to help you to review what’s covered in the service charges and compare your day-to-day running costs with those in your current home. Our sales consultants ensure that customers have a detailed knowledge of ongoing costs before you buy your new home.

• In many cases, service charges are lower than like-for-like costs in a purchaser’s previous property, so homeowners rarely have difficulties paying
• Heating and running costs are usually lower than in homeowner’s previous home due to our modern energy efficient construction methods, low maintenance properties and the more manageable size of the homes

You can also take advantage of our free Entitlement Advice Service – you may be surprised to discover how much money you are entitled to.

Call 0800 201 4811 or contact us online to learn more about our service charges.

Service charges cover the day-to-day costs of management and maintenance within our retirement developments, such as the heating and cleaning of communal areas, buildings insurance and redecoration. They are tightly regulated by national legislation and must relate to the management services provided within the development, not to construction or repair costs. Our service charges are ‘pass through’ costs which we do not mark up in any way. They are the costs of running your development.

Our service charge varies from development to development reflecting their different sizes and facilities, but they are calculated in the same way across the country.

Costs in Retirement Living PLUS developments are higher than in Retirement Living developments to reflect the increased staffing costs, the provision of care and lifestyle support packages, and the table-service restaurants/bistros provided on-site.

Call 0800 201 4811 or contact us online to find out more about our service charges.

That depends on your individual circumstances, but in many cases, service charges are lower than like-for-like costs in a previous property. Our research shows you could save over £2,300 a year on household bills in a McCarthy Stone retirement apartment when compared to a typical home*. Read about how we can save money on your cost of living.

Call 0800 201 4811 or contact us online to find out more about our service charges.

*Typical net saving when running a McCarthy Stone Retirement Living apartment when compared to the cost of running a typical home is £2,312 per year. Source: Internal research carried out by McCarthy Stone, 2022. Based on information from Address Intelligence using a combination of census, EPC, and planning permission.

In a Retirement Living development for the over 60s, the service charge covers things like:

• The House Manager
• 24-hour emergency call system
• Intruder alarm
• Camera door entry
• Buildings insurance
• Maintenance
• Water rates
• Sewage rates
• External window cleaning
• Heating of communal areas

In a Retirement Living PLUS development for the over 70s, the service charge includes all of the above, as well as additional assisted living facilities like:

• Managers on-site 24/7 for your peace of mind
• The running of the subsidised on-site restaurant/bistro (with a small additional cost payable per meal)
• One-hour of domestic support per week is included
  • If you need extra help, our independent lifestyle support services are totally flexible and can be adapted to suit individual needs. You only pay for what you use.
  • Homeowners are under no obligation to take care packages from us.

Call 0800 201 4811 or contact us online to find out more about our services charges.

The service charge budgets represent the costs that we expect to incur in a normal year, with a full retirement development. We aim for them to be as accurate as possible and we try to keep annual increases in line with inflation, although certain costs like energy prices can have inflationary pressures that are outside of our control. Typically, our retirement communities have shown a slight surplus which is refunded each year to homeowners.

Call 0800 201 4811 or contact us online to find out more.

Yes, but we try to keep annual increases to our service charges in line with inflation although certain costs like energy prices can have inflationary pressures that are outside of our control.

Call 0800 201 4811 or contact us online to find out more.

If you do get into financial difficulties, we will work with you to agree on a way forward. We also offer all of our customers support, so they don’t miss out on the money they are entitled to. Over the past two years, our Entitlement Advice Service has helped our customers claim more than £1 million a year in unclaimed benefits, advising on things like Council Tax benefits, Attendance Allowance, and state pensions. For example, some costs, like service charges are sometimes covered by Pension Credit.

Call 0800 201 4811 or contact us online to find out more about our free and confidential Entitlement Advice.

Every year the service charge is agreed in consultation with customers in our retirement villages and developments through an open-book budgeting process. The service charge pays the salaries of the house managers and estate management teams, who we employ, but for everything else – like window cleaning, gardening and lift maintenance, for example, we get competitive quotes.

We do our very best to negotiate the best cost with third-party service providers on behalf of our customers. As part of our system of checks and controls, we regularly monitor service charges against current market practices and third-party providers to ensure we offer competitive rates.

At some of our most recent developments, the service charge also includes the cost of heating the apartments.

A full breakdown of the service charge budget is available from our sales consultants and managers at all new retirement communities. We have a simple chart to help customers understand the service charge during the sales process.

Any questions? Call 0800 201 4811 or contact us online.

No. Council tax is not included in the service charge and it is your responsibility to set up payment. The council tax band varies per development. You can find out how much you will pay based on the postcode.

Yes. It is important that the service charge continues to be paid to maintain services across the development and for the security of the other homeowners. But if a homeowner or their family is experiencing difficulties paying, we are here to help and will do our best to support them.

Any questions? Call 0800 201 4811 or contact us online.

A sinking fund, otherwise known as a contingency fund, is a specific fund kept in the retirement development’s own bank account. It is there to benefit all homeowners and is used to pay for the replacement of carpets and furniture in shared areas, as well as longer-term repairs of roofs, window frames and lifts. We believe it is the best way to protect homeowners from unexpected costs like a major refurbishment or structural repairs.

It is held in trust and used only for the maintenance of that retirement development. It cannot be accessed by McCarthy Stone for its own purposes.

The service charge includes a small contribution to the contingency fund, but to keep it to a minimum, the fund is ‘topped up’ by a one-off charge of a small percentage of the resale price upon the sale of the retirement property.

Leases prior to October 2014

We will charge a concessionary rate (irrespective of the provisions in the lease, which may be higher) of one month’s rent for each year that the apartment is sublet (or pro-rata for less than a year).

This is a concession from the terms of the lease which are in essence one month’s rent for each six month sublet period. This concession will apply for a maximum period of two years, after which time we will revert to the terms of the lease.

These fees are paid into the development’s sinking/contingency fund and are for everyone’s benefit.

If you rent out your retirement housing:

For leases from October 2014

The subletting contingency fee has been reduced to a small percentage of the annual rent (or pro-rata for under-letting of less than one year). Where the underletting is for more than a year, the contingency fee is a small percentage of the annual rent payable annually on the anniversary of the commencement of the term.

There is also a small administration fee to cover the cost to check that the incoming occupier meets the terms of the lease or deed of conditions (i.e. meets the age criteria and is capable of leading an independent life) and provide information about the development, the service charge and insurance.

Any questions? Call 0800 201 4811 or contact us online.

We have an experienced team of professionals within our Resales department to assist you when you're ready to sell your property. They can arrange a free valuation of your property and support you throughout the selling process.

To find out more please contact them on 0345 556 4126 or find out more.

Alternatively, you can ask an independent estate agent/surveyor for a valuation.

NB: You will be charged a contingency fee at 1% of the total resale price for the development’s reserve or sinking fund.

No, but we have an experienced team of professionals within our resales estate agency service to assist you when you're ready to sell your retirement home. They can arrange a free valuation of your property and support you throughout the selling process.

The resales team has a unique understanding of retirement living, enabling us to communicate all the benefits clearly, and a waiting list of customers for some retirement developments. Alternatively, you can ask an independent estate agent/surveyor for a valuation.

The majority of McCarthy Stone retirement properties increase in value when resold. For retirement homes bought new in the last three years and since resold by our in-house resales team, for example, the net increase averages 7%.

To learn more about our resales service, speak to a member of our resales team on 0345 556 4104 or email [email protected].

No. A transfer fee, also known as an exit or event fee, was a charge paid directly to the freeholder of the development when an apartment was sold or rented out. On 1st September 2008, McCarthy Stone abolished this fee on all leases in all retirement properties built after that date. If the development was built by us before September 2008 third parties own the freehold. We are unable to control the transfer/exit fee, but the owners will be fully aware of this.

You are welcome to bring a well-behaved pet to live with you in your apartment.

For more information call us on 0800 201 4811 or contact us online.

No. Other than built in fixtures and fittings like the walk-in wardrobe or kitchen white goods, our retirement properties are unfurnished and ready for your own furniture.

Yes. Once you’ve bought it your property is yours to decorate how you’d like. The walls are painted in cream or white to provide a blank canvas for you to create your own unique home. We can recommend companies that provide carpets, curtains, and light fittings etc if you wish. If your apartment has underfloor heating, carpets must be replaced with carpet that meets the regulations.

On-site car parking for residents and guests is usually available but varies depending on the individual retirement village or development.

Any questions about parking? Call 0800 201 4811 or contact us online.

Yes. All properties have slip-resistant floors in the kitchen and bathroom as standard.

Kitchens are fully fitted with white goods which come with a 2-year guarantee. Washing machines are not included, but many sites have a laundry facility.

Call 0800 201 4811 or contact us online for more information.

Some of our retirement communities have a laundry facility, although this varies. If you still wish to have your own washing machine, please speak with the team on 0800 201 4811 or contact us online.

Yes, if you own the retirement property then smoking is allowed within your home, but not within communal areas. You aren’t allowed to smoke in our rental retirement properties.

Yes, provided you obtain the landlord’s permission and use properly qualified and insured contractors. Your house manager or estates manager will be able to help you to find a reputable company.

No, but our retirement properties and communities are designed to be wheelchair friendly.

For more information, call our friendly team on 0800 201 4811 or contact us online.

A friend or family member can stay with you in your apartment for a maximum of six months.

Within a Retirement Living development a homeowner’s guest or guests are welcome to stay for as long as the suite is available and paid for.

There is a maximum five-night stay within Retirement Living PLUS developments.

There is a nightly cost associated with using the guest suite, which will vary depending on the development.

For more information, call our friendly team on 0800 201 4811 or contact us online.

No. Our on-site guest suites provide you with an alternative option for your guests, but you can invite them to your home if you prefer.

All guest suites offer:

• Ensuite
• TV
• Tea and coffee making facilities
• Access to the homeowners' lounge and other development facilities.

The nightly cost of using the guest suite may vary depending on the development so please check. For more information, call our friendly team on 0800 201 4811 or contact us online.

Yes, if you live in the development, you can use the guest suite on most of our other developments – they are ideal for holidays and short breaks. Speak to your house or estate manager.

This depends on how the flood occurred and who is responsible. The  development’s buildings insurance included within the service charge generally only covers damage that is caused to the building or communal contents (i.e., not contents owned individually by a homeowner. However, if the landlord of the building is held to be responsible for the flood, then generally damage will be covered by the buildings insurance or the landlord’s public liability insurance policy.

It is recommended that homeowners take out their own content’s insurance, including accidental damage and public liability insurance, as this will usually provide cover in the event of a leak caused by the homeowner (i.e. due to a running tap etc). It is best to take advice from an insurance broker.

Yes. Residents' Associations are encouraged in our developments. They exist primarily to help homeowners negotiate on things like repair schedules, finance, and social activities. Customers can also use the meetings to air their views. They can lead to a better understanding and faster resolution of matters concerning residents as a whole. However, we’re committed to dealing with individual residents’ needs and concerns on a one-to-one basis and Residents’ Associations do not replace the personal touch.

We take complaints very seriously. If you do have an issue, please do let us know so that we can resolve it. Most problems can be solved quickly and informally by our House/Estate Managers or sales consultants, so please do speak to the team first. If you are still unhappy you can follow our formal complaints procedure.

For more information, call our friendly team on 0800 201 4811 or contact us online.

Exclusively for those over 70, Retirement Living PLUS developments provide an independent lifestyle with assisted living facilities and additional lifestyle and care services as and when you need them. There’s an on-site restaurant/bistro providing delicious meals every day in a sociable environment and a member of our management team is on-site 24 hours-a-day, 365 days a year to provide reassurance.

• An hour’s domestic assistance every week is included in the service charge. This is for light cleaning of your apartment.  We also offer a range of additional services on a pay as you go basis such as laundry and bedding change, shopping and general errands including prescription collection, help with technology and paperwork and lots more. For those who may need it, we can provide personal care and support packages, these are individually tailored to suit your needs, and can cover any aspect of personal care.  We are also here if you’d like and extra companionship or to escort you to your favourite activities. We are registered with the Care Quality Commission and our rates are highly competitive and our staff team fully trained and supervised.
• Care and support services are delivered by our staff who are employed on-site.
• You only pay for additional care and support when you  need it. We understand things change in life so you can dial up or down the support you receive from us at any time, putting you in control.

We can arrange a private and confidential Wellbeing Assessment to put a personalised support  plan in place, which means you have all the care and support you need from the moment you move in. Talk to us on 0800 201 4811 or get in touch online to find out more about our flexible care and support packages.

Our Retirement Living PLUS assisted living properties include ‘hidden care’ designed so people can age in place in style and comfort. This includes telecare technology so if you choose, we can remotely monitor your wellbeing without being intrusive to your privacy.

Our apartments are designed with waist-height ovens and plug sockets, slip-resistant flooring, hearing loops for the TV and lever taps in the bathrooms, as standard. Our retirement properties are also designed to be usable by people with mobility aids/walkers as well as being easily adapted to be wheelchair users. It’s also just as important that the homes look beautiful and feel homely. We design homes people feel proud and happy to live in where any adaptations are as discreet as possible.

To make life easy:

• There are lifts to all floors
• Apartments are fitted with personal emergency alarms, as well as integrated fire alarms and camera entry systems.
• As well as having a contemporary kitchen in their own apartment, customers can eat at the bistro-style restaurant on-site.
• There are sociable shared areas, including a homeowners’ lounge, function room and maintained gardens.
• Our sites offer a calendar of events, clubs and activities to suit all interests.
• Having guests and relatives stay over is easy as they are welcome to stay overnight in our guest suites.
• One hour of domestic assistance per week is included in the service charge.
• Have the security of knowing additional care and support is available from our in-house staff teams, if any, when you want it. 
• There are staff on-site 24/7 day and night, so always someone here should you need help.

The one hour of support is included in the flat rate service charge so you pay nothing more.

Yes. You can use lightweight motorised scooters (maximum speed 4 mph) inside the developments. This type of scooter must be stored in your retirement property. Class 3 (maximum speed 8 mph) scooters can only be used outside. These are kept in the scooter storeroom – usually you can charge them in there too. Please note, spaces for scooters are limited and subject to availability. Conditions also apply depending on the development. The sales team will explain these to you.

Talk to us on 0800 201 4811 or contact us online if you want to know more.

No. Your retirement property comes with its own fully fitted kitchen, as well as easy access to local restaurants, cafes, takeaways, and delivery services. But the on-site restaurant/bistro offers good quality food at a low price every day with table service in a sociable environment. Special dietary requirements can be catered for, and friends and family are welcome to join you. If you would prefer a meal in the privacy of your own apartment, this can also be arranged for a supplement.

Main meal prices at our on-site restaurant/bistro vary depending on where you live. A small additional charge is added to guest meals. The fixed costs of the restaurant and the catering staff are included in the service charge. That’s why we keep the price down for people who live here.

Yes. Homeowners who are holding a party can work with the chef to select a menu for their guests. We also offer catering for seasonal themed events, for instance summer barbeques and cream teas for the Wimbledon season. Some retirement developments offer a function room for parties and events.

Talk to us on 0800 201 4811 or contact us online if you want to know more.

Care homes typically provide single-room accommodation for rent, whereas in our retirement villages and developments you own or rent your own private property. Care homes fees are usually inclusive of personal care. We do not offer nursing care and although we offer care and lifestyle support. Our aim is to ensure those living in our developments benefit from an environment which allows them to maintain their privacy and independence to the maximum. Living in a McCarthy Stone property means you are living in your own home which can be decorated and arranged exactly to your taste and preference.

While we can provide a high level of personal care to those who need it, many people who move in with us don't need this straight away, but have the peace of mind that they’re protected for the future.

A clear difference between care homes and our homes is that the retirement properties are available for purchase, meaning that your beautiful new home really is yours.

The terms Retirement Living and sheltered housing are used interchangeably. Both terms mean retirement housing for independent living with a friendly on-site manager at the heart of a thriving community.

Extra care, assisted care and Retirement Living PLUS are terms used interchangeably for the same development type. Retirement Living PLUS developments are exclusive for the over 70s and offer assisted living facilities including an on-site bistro/restaurant. This includes an hour of extra care every week, plus more care and lifestyle support as and when you need it.

Retirement villages are typically larger-scale and out-of-town with a range of accommodation, for instance, retirement bungalows, cottages and apartments, plus a range of facilities. Retirement developments are smaller, with a close-knit community feel and based in well-connected central locations, close to or within a village or town centre.