Senior living with McCarthy Stone

Can I bring my cat or dog with me?

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.

Are your retirement properties furnished?

Although they come with contemporary fitted kitchens and often clever storage solutions like walk in wardrobes, our retirement properties for sale or rent are unfurnished ready for you to make your own.

Can I decorate my retirement property?

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.

Do your retirement developments offer private parking spaces/disabled parking?

On-site car parking and disabled parking for homeowners 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.

Do your retirement properties feature slip resistant floors?

Yes. All McCarthy Stone retirement apartments have slip resistant floors in the kitchen and bathroom as standard.

Do your retirement properties include white goods?

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.

Can I have my own washing machine in my retirement home?

Most of our retirement communities have a shared laundry room. If you still wish to have your own washing machine please speak with the team on 0800 201 4811 or contact us online.

Is smoking allowed in your retirement housing?

Yes and no! If you own the retirement property then smoking is allowed within your home on most developments, but not within communal areas or open spaces including balconies. You aren’t allowed to smoke in our rental retirement properties and some of our newest developments are totally smoke free. Talk to your sales consultant, contact us online or call 0800 201 4811 for more information.

Can I make alterations to my retirement home?

Yes, provided you obtain permission and use properly qualified and insured contractors. Your House Manager or Estates Manager will be able to assist you in finding the right company.

I'm a wheelchair user. Do the kitchen units move up and down?

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

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

How long can a friend or family member stay with me in my retirement property?

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

How long can someone stay in a retirement development's guest suite?

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.

Do my friends and family have to stay in the on-site guest suite when they come to stay?

No. Our on-site guest suites provide you with an alternative option for your guests, but they can stay at your home if you prefer.

All guest suites offer:

Ensuite facilities.
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.

I'm a homeowner/tenant. Can I use the on-site guest suites at other McCarthy Stone retirement communities?

Yes, if you live in a 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 for more information.

Are homeowners responsible for flood damage?

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.

Can homeowners in retirement properties set up their own Residents' Association?

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.

How do I make a complaint?

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.

Can my friends and family stay at my McCarthy Stone retirement development?

Yes. Your family and friends are more than welcome to stay with you in your own home (for a maximum of six months). Most developments also have a hotel-style guest suite with an en-suite bathroom, TV, and tea and coffee-making facilities. There is a small nightly charge for this.

Can my friend/relative bring their pet dog when visiting my retirement property?

Yes, guests can bring a dog although they are not permitted in the communal areas or to stay in the guest suite.

What if a homeowner/tenant develops dementia while living in a McCarthy Stone retirement home?

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 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.

Are the retirement apartments sound proof?

Yes. Our retirement apartments comply fully with building regulations, which includes sound proofing.

FAQs - Retirement Property Questions

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