Walter House
Rainsford Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 2XJ
With Part Exchange, we can act as a cash buyer for your home. There’s no estate agent fees and no chains. Just a guaranteed sale at a great price - so you could be enjoying the McCarthy Stone lifestyle sooner.
To find out more please call 0800 201 4811.
*T&Cs apply- Available now
Over 60s retirement property for sale, rent and Shared Ownership in Chelmsford, Essex
Call 0800 201 4811 now or sign up for updates to find out more about these superb new retirement homes in Chelmsford, Essex.
Wonderful Walter House is a Retirement Living development for the over 60's in the centre of Chelmsford, which offers 49 contemporary one and two bedroom retirement apartments available for sale. Many have private balconies and all share beautiful communal facilities including the stunning ‘sky’ lounge.
The historic city centre of Chelmsford is just a 15 minute walk from this retirement development, with plenty of local attractions like the 18 arch Victoria Railway Viaduct and Chelmsford Cathedral. There is also a wealth of amenities close by, including a leisure centre, the expansive greenery of Admirals Park and a shopping centre. Chelmsford boasts enviable connections to the surrounding area of Essex, and regular trains run from Chelmsford station to London Liverpool Street in just 34 minutes. The train station is only 0.3 miles from the development.
Easy independent living for the over 60s
All our retirement property for sale, rent and Shared Ownership in Chelmsford is cleverly designed with smart yet stylish features, like easy turn taps, to make life easier now and in the future. Low maintenance, warm and elegant, with the latest security and safety features built in, most of our homeowners enjoy cheaper bills too.
Many of these retirement apartments have either private patios or balconies. All offer access to attractive communal spaces including the fabulous lounge with Wi-Fi and a state-of-the-art audio and video system plus a gorgeous garden area with seating. You’re looked after by the friendly on-site manager and these shared spaces are filled with (entirely optional) events, parties and clubs.
What’s more, you can book the hotel-style guest suite to effortlessly host visitors in style—you can also holiday in our network of guest suites! Parking is available and well-behaved pets are welcome too.
Key development information
Walter House
Opening hours: Open by appointment only
Shared Ownership 75% example share/no rent
- 1 bed from £206,250
- 2 beds from £255,000
Purchase
- 1 bed from £270,000
- 2 beds from £375,000
Rent
- 1 bed from £2,215 pcm
- 2 beds from £2,605 pcm
Development highlights
- Central location in charming Chelmsford with excellent local amenities
- 5 minute walk to Chelmsford Train Station
- 1 mile from First Class Essex County Cricket Club
- Stunning communal ‘sky’ lounge for parties, events and everyday socialising
- Manager onsite during office hours to help keep everything running smoothly
- Community feeling with a calendar of events, clubs and activities to suit all interests
Key Features Key Features for Walter House
- Camera entry system
- 24/7 call system
- House Manager
- Pets allowed
- Communal lounge
- Balconies
- In the city
- Intruder alarm
- Lifts to all floors
- Guest suite
Explore retirement properties at Walter House
Walter House interactive site plan
Useful documents
Additional brochures available for instant PDF download
These properties are available for sale, rent and Shared Ownership
We’ve flexible options to suit your lifestyles and financial circumstances. Your friendly Sales Consultant can help you choose the right one for you, so you can start planning life in your lovely new home.
The properties at this development are leasehold properties with a term of 999 years from and including 01/01/2021
You can buy properties on this development. If you’d like to own your retirement property, we can help make the move as stress-free as possible, including support with packing and removals. If you have a home to sell, we can even act as a cash buyer, so you’ll avoid chains and estate agent fees.
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.
Usually people take between 12 to 16 weeks to complete the purchase of their new retirement home, but we will try and be as flexible as possible to suit your individual circumstances.
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:
- Valuation:
Three independent local estate agents and a surveyor will value your property. - 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. - 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.
We have an expert resales team for people selling our retirement properties, with an extensive database of customers waiting to move in. This helps us to sell faster and at a better price than traditional estate agents, and the majority of our resale prices increase in net value. View resale retirement homes.
You can rent a retirement home on this development. Renting is an easy, flexible and quick way to enjoy life in a McCarthy Stone community. Did you know? No service charge is payable when you rent.
* To be offset against your initial payment and fully refundable should your tenancy not proceed
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’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.
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.
You can buy part of your home and pay rent on the rest, so you can move in and enjoy the benefits of the McCarthy Stone lifestyle without committing to outright purchase. The Shared Ownership scheme is run in conjunction with Homes England, our government approved partner.
- You can enjoy the McCarthy Stone lifestyle without paying the full purchase price.
- Buying a percentage share of the property allows you to manage your finances to cater for possible future needs.
- If you buy 75% of the value of the property, there is no rent to pay on the outstanding share.
- You could claim up to £500 a year to help with essential repairs in the first 10 years.
With this scheme, you can purchase up to 75% of the value of your property – and if you own 75%, you won’t pay any rent on the outstanding 25% share. If you purchase a lower share of the property, you will pay rent on the outstanding share. It provides a more affordable way to buy one of our retirement properties.
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).
No. 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.
McCarthy & Stone (Shared Ownership) Limited will become your landlord on the share you don't own.
Before entering into an Older Persons Shared Ownership agreement we recommend that you obtain independent financial advice so you know what your new home will cost and that you can afford it.
If you'd like to take up our Shared Ownership offer, we require you to have a financial assessment with an Independent Advisor. This is to make sure you can afford the ongoing costs now and if your circumstances change. We will put you in contact with an advisor who has experience of Shared Ownership schemes and can assess your eligibility.
You should plan for some one-off costs associated with your purchase, including, but not limited to the following:
• Reservation deposit (which is deducted from your final purchase)
• Solicitors Fees and disbursements
• Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) in England.
Your solicitor will be able to tell you if the tax applies and how much it will be
• Estate Agent fees if selling a current property
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.
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 Older Persons Shared Ownership.
How much is the service charge?
- 1 bedroom apartment £89.60 per week reviewed annually
- 2 bedroom apartment £134.40 per week reviewed annually
- Renting? Service Charge paid by the property owner, not by the tenant.
Examples show prices available at this development
We don't make a penny from our service charges
Your service charge covers the services and amenities you enjoy at this development for a safe, comfortable, sociable and happy retirement. It includes things like wages for your on-site team, security systems and keeping communal spaces and gardens spick and span—and it’s all provided at cost price.
What is included in the service charge
- Electricity, heating and lighting (communal areas)
- Water and sewage (communal areas and apartments)
- Maintenance of building and gardens
- Building insurance
- Development staff
- Future maintenance fund
- Professional fees
- Emergency call system
- Income from Guest Suite and sundry income
We're here to help every step of the way
Key features of our retirement properties
Contemporary spaces
With stylish fitted kitchens, bright spacious living rooms and attractive modern bathrooms.
Ergonomic design
Our properties are packed with clever, and subtle, design features to make life easier as we age.
Safety and security
Including 24-hour emergency call out, fire detection, intruder alerts and door camera entry.
Energy efficient
Well-insulated and warm so you can stay cosy whatever the weather and save on bills too.
Frequently asked questions
Find out more with our FAQs. Still got a question? Call our friendly team on 0800 201 4811 or get in touch online.
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.
The majority of McCarthy Stone retirement properties increase in value when resold. 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.
Meet the team at Walter House
Clare
I love working for Mccarthy Stone. I'm thrilled that we can create communites within our development, creating a lifestyle full of memories and happiness.
Your local amenities at Walter House
Rainsford Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 2XJ
- Bus Stop
- Esso
- Restaurant
- Local Shop
- Chelmsford Train Station
Situated on Rainsford Road, this development enjoys a prime location in central Chelmsford.
Amenities nearby include a convenience store only 0.1 miles away, a theatre 0.2 miles away and the railway station less than 0.3 miles from the development.
In the surrounding area, a Tesco Superstore and Meadows Shopping Centre are 0.7 miles away, while Admirals Park is 0.4 miles away.
Getting to Location
If you are using a Sat Nav system you may need the full address of this development. The postcode is newly created by Royal Mail and may not be accurate for some months.
Retirement living in Chelmsford
With a busy city centre, a thriving cultural scene and dozens of fantastic events and festivals throughout the year, Chelmsford is an ideal spot for an active retirement. With our retirement properties in Chelmsford, you’ll be right in the heart of the local community, so you can spend your retirement doing the things you love.
Local retirees enjoy:
- An abundance of amenities including plenty of cafes, bars, restaurants, theatres, museums and independent retailers.
- Sporting events like the famous Chelmsford Races or watching Chelmsford Football Club play at the Melbourne Stadium.
- A strong community with numerous clubs, societies and events to keep you busy.
- The town is surrounded by beautiful countryside and country parks, but also offers easy access to the attractions of London.
Community news
From homeowner stories to events and fundraising, read the latest news from in and around Walter House.
What's on at Walter House
Historic Attraction
In local communityYou’ll find a significant historic attraction close to this development.
Leisure Centre
In local communityYou’ll find a leisure centre with fitness classes, a gym and swimming pool close by.
Open Spaces
In local communityWe’re close to an attractive park/open space that is perfect short walks.
Shopping Centre
In local communityThis community is close to big brand and independent shops.
Join us for our upcoming events
Whether you’re just starting to explore your next move or have already fallen in love with one of our stunning homes, this is the perfect opportunity to see what life could be like.
Chat with our welcoming homeowners, explore our beautifully designed properties, and see for yourself why so many say, “I only wish I’d moved sooner.”
To book your place call 0800 201 4811 or
Book onlineVisit Our Open House Event
Join us for an exclusive Open House Event and experience firsthand the community spirit that makes Walter House so special.
Whether you’re just starting to explore your next move or have already fallen in love with one of our stunning homes, this is the perfect opportunity to see what life could be like.
Chat with our welcoming homeowners, explore our beautifully designed properties, and see for yourself why so many say, “I only wish I’d moved sooner.”
To book your place call 0800 201 4811 or
Book onlineFind the latest promotions and seasonal special offers here
Part Exchange for a fast and hassle-free sale
With Part Exchange, we can act as a cash buyer for your home. There’s no estate agent fees and no chains. Just a guaranteed sale at a great price - so you could be enjoying the McCarthy Stone lifestyle sooner.
To find out more please call 0800 201 4811.
Smooth Move
Nobody expects moving home to be easy, but we’re here to help you every step of the way; from the moment you make a reservation, through to the day you move in. Our Smooth Move service ensures everything goes like clockwork, which includes helping with the cost*.
To find our more please call 0800 201 4811.
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Please note that images are for illustrative purposes only. Images may include upgrades and optional extras which may be available for you to purchase at an additional cost. Please click here for further explanations. Floor plans and pricing are accurate at time of publication. Floor plans are for guidance purposes only and are subject to change. Prices may fluctuate depending on market conditions and availability.