I have just been reading another article talking about how the price of retirement flats drops when they come back on the market after the person who bought it new either dies or moves into care

This is what I understand to be the case, M0nica. It would certainly be one of the reasons that I would not be comfortable purchasing one.
I think the " new builds" are very shiny and the show flat looks wonderful.
Also, developers learn from previous developments, and add in things that they realise are important/ attractive to their market. For example, some of the older apartments have only communal gardens, whereas the newest ones near to me all feature a small balcony.

My sister and I inherited my Mother's Flat in one of these complexes. She was very happy there and it was beautiful.
However, it took us 2years to sell it after she died and cost us around £10k, just in keeping it empty, the changes still have be paid.

Why don't they sell? has to be the charges, when she moved in it was fine but they go up faster than they should.
The two companies that you pay, are awful, they never reply to questions, or any communication. We thought about renting it out but couldn't ever get a reply, as the House manager said we had to speak to them directly. However they hound you if you are late paying a bill (by a day or two).

When you finally sell, after new tenant is in situ and paying, you still get these service bills sent to you. I gave up and just, put Return to sender not know at this address on the envelopes.
This type of living is lovely But costs too much.

Its shocking how fast these properties lose money, where I live a house bought say 5 years ago for £325,000 would now realise £425-450,000 ish. The same price for a flat in a'McCarthy & Stone' type development bought 5 years ago is falling so fast its unbelievable - £95000!
The service charges have rocketed up to £6000 yearly. I can only think the Grand Opening -champagne launch must be pretty dazzling!
I've never come across such depreciation in property. I think the service charges continue to mount up until a new buyer is found too.

It seems to me if a person buys new, everything is perfect and will 'see them out' - perhaps the ultimate downsizing. They also may not care about the value after death - no pockets in a shroud.

It seems to be a similar issue with apartment blocks. A friend recently took two years to sell a very pleasant two bedroom apartment in what had been a mill. Architecturally beautiful building surrounded by by gardens and in a sought of area. She said the maintenance costs rocketed and this put people off

Found this on the Homeowners alliance

Someone I know bought a "retirement flat" second hand because it was such a bargain knockdown price. She's a lone widow and likes the security of the onsite management services. What makes them hard to sell is the occupier restrictions, must be occupied by retired person. Plus high management fees.

We bought a flat in a private development whose location quality and price range appeals to affluent older people. More than 3/4 of residents are active retirees like us, and its a perfect "lock up and leave" There are a handful of younger professionals, and one resident child. There's no live-in management but we have a residents group and a factor who handles communal expenses such as the excellent maintenance of our large and very beautiful grounds and woodland. Communal expenses are under £ 4 hundred pa. per property Many of us privately employ the same excellent cleaner and window cleaner.

If you can find a similar set up and can afford your own support care if you ever need it, it's a far better deal than managed retirement developments IMO.