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Cheryl Bissett from McCarthy and Stone has answered your questions about retirement living and planning

(206 Posts)
JustineBGransnet (GNHQ) Mon 09-Nov-20 10:09:13

Retirement communities provide support, safety and most importantly, friendship to those who live there. Cheryl Bissett is divisional Sales Director at McCarthy & Stone and also helped her 84 year-old mother Isobel move into a McCarthy & Stone development in 2017. After settling into Cranberry Court, Isobel’s social life has blossomed; spending time with her neighbours at coffee mornings, book clubs and film nights.

The community wasn’t halted by the pandemic and Cheryl gained peace of mind knowing that her mother had people around her for company and to reach out a helping hand if needed. With this in mind, Cheryl would like to use her experience to help answer your questions around retirement living and planning.

Here’s what McCarthy & Stone have to say: “With more than 40 years of experience in designing, creating and managing thriving communities, a McCarthy & Stone apartment gives you much more than a lovely home. It gives you access to a vibrant, caring and supportive community of friends and neighbours.

Here’s more about Cheryl Bissett: “Cheryl is Senior Divisional Sales & Marketing Director and has worked for McCarthy & Stone for over 5 years.
Cheryl is extremely passionate about what McCarthy & Stone offer to our retirement community, so much so Cheryl’s mother downsized into a McCarthy & Stone apartment at Cranberry Court.
McCarthy & Stone have made a huge difference to Cheryl and her family as her mum was once isolated and lonely and now has a whole host of new friends and a fabulous social life.”

Perhaps you’ve considered buying or renting a property in a retirement living community and want to find out more about it? Or have a family member that wants to find out more about retirement living in general and how best to plan for it? Post your question on this thread and you’ll be entered into a prize draw where one lucky GNer will win a £100 voucher for a store of their choice (from a list).

We’ll be selecting questions for Cheryl to answer during a one-hour session that’s taking place on 30/11

Thanks and good luck!

GNHQ

Terms and conditions apply

CherylBissettMcCarthyandStone Mon 30-Nov-20 15:47:27

GrannyMary1

Where are your homes? Do you have any in Scotland?

Hello GrannyMary1!

We have developments across England, Wales and Scotland. Within Scotland we have a selection of luxury retirement apartments available at 3 locations;

Ashbrae in Newton Mearns

Riverwood in Milngavie

Merchants Gate in Pollokshields

To find out more about these stunning apartments visit www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk/scotland/

CherylBissettMcCarthyandStone Mon 30-Nov-20 15:41:40

Roz291

I think that at sometime I would like the security these sites offer but could never imagine a life without a cat or dog, are pets allowed?

Hi Roz291

At McCarthy & Stone, we understand how important your pets are to you. That’s why we’re more than happy to welcome a well behaved pet to live with you in your new home. If you’re looking for pet-friendly retirement properties and peace of mind, look no further and bring them along.*Terms and conditions apply.

You can read more about this here: www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk/life-and-living/explore/lifestyle/say-hello-to-mans-best-friend/

CherylBissettMcCarthyandStone Mon 30-Nov-20 15:39:11

EliseC465

What about ongoing fees on top of the purchase price? How much on average a year?

Hi EliseC465

All our homeowners pay an annual service charge. It’s paid by direct debit every month and reviewed each year. This charge allows us to take care of the day-to-day running of the retirement development, like maintaining the communal areas and gardens on your behalf - so you can focus on enjoying active retirement living.

For a typical Retirement Living apartment (based on Atwood House in Sanderstead), the service charge is £48.93 a week for a one-bedroom apartment and £73.36 a week for a two-bedroom apartment*.

For a typical Retirement Living PLUS apartment (based on Chesterton Court in Ilkley), the service charge is £138.27 a week for a one-bedroom apartment and £184.31 a week for a two-bedroom apartment.*

Estimated service charges appear on each development webpage.

You will need to pay ground rents on our leasehold properties in England and Wales, but not Scotland, which operates under a different legal system. As with all leasehold properties, ground rents are a condition of the lease for our apartments. They are set by McCarthy & Stone at the start of the development and are clearly highlighted to all customers. Our ground rents are typically between c.£400-£500 per year*

*These figures are correct up to 30 June 2021

CherylBissettMcCarthyandStone Mon 30-Nov-20 15:36:22

luvlyjubly

Is it true that when you are selling, the resident has to sell back to McCarthy & Stone at a price dictated by them as opposed to on the open market?

The homeowner or the Power of Attorney are free to instruct whoever they wish to sell their property and they are under no obligation to use McCarthy & Stone’s Resales service. However, due to our unique insight into retirement living and our passion for communicating all the lifestyle benefits that our retirement communities provide, we feel we are best placed to sell preowned McCarthy & Stone managed apartments.

For more information click here: www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk/life-and-living/explore/lifestyle/reselling-our-apartments-everything-you-need-to-know/

CherylBissettMcCarthyandStone Mon 30-Nov-20 15:35:24

quizqueen

Would I be able to come and go as I please? I sometimes stay out till after midnight.

Yes of course. It's your home to come and go as you please smile

CherylBissettMcCarthyandStone Mon 30-Nov-20 15:34:09

Hi everyone I'm Cheryl and I'm Senior Divisional Sales & Marketing Director at McCarthy and Stone. Thanks so much for all your great questions! I know making the step to retirement living can be a tough decision so I'm looking forward to sharing with you some of the facts and information I've gained from my professional and personal experience with McCarthy and Stone's properties. I hope you'll find it useful!

MilliePW Sat 28-Nov-20 19:02:29

Are pets allowed?

kelliec Sat 28-Nov-20 16:47:53

Are annual service charge increases capped at a certain percentage?

Artaylar Sat 28-Nov-20 15:34:46

Seajaye

Where are the answers to the questions being asked?

There are some really excellent questions being asked of McCarthy and ~Stone on this thread, though this is my favourite one - sorry new'ish on GNet and not got the hang of the emoticons yet.

SwiftShark Sat 28-Nov-20 15:27:14

Are there rules about having Grandchildren or other people to stay?

If you have a private garden are you allowed to grow whatever you want in them?

Artaylar Sat 28-Nov-20 15:14:58

Applegran

I lost the last part of my post - which was to ask if there are retirment villages aimed at people who are active in mind and body, though getting older, and where the residents take the major decisions together about their communities?

Hi Applegran

It might be worth taking a look at the UK Cohousing website to find out what Cohousing is all about.
cohousing.org.uk/

It includes a Directory of current and up and coming Cohousing Schemes, some of which have a focus on older people. (There is a 'Senior' filter on the Directory
cohousing.org.uk/information/uk-cohousing-directory/

Hope helps;

Dan29 Sat 28-Nov-20 13:31:35

Would there be limitations on visitors and who could stay over? (in normal times - obviously things may be different currently due to Covid).

molly57 Sat 28-Nov-20 10:54:15

I have lost a lot of my contributions when I retired early due to serious health problems.

pengwen Fri 27-Nov-20 23:42:13

My mum is 80 but very active ,would she be able to be independent and come and go as
she pleased.?

bluecat3535 Fri 27-Nov-20 20:53:03

My dad had green glowing light switches, which were annoying. Do all retirement flats have these?

baconbap Fri 27-Nov-20 20:51:41

Is there only electric heating?

zippedup Fri 27-Nov-20 20:50:08

If I need to have care am I allowed to stay or do I have to move out? Do you provide any carers?

Horatia Fri 27-Nov-20 19:04:42

Are there rules regarding noise levels.

angela121262 Fri 27-Nov-20 17:51:46

Can you expand on running costs please

wendybiv Fri 27-Nov-20 17:03:12

What is the average age of the residents and would it take away our independence?

imustbemadme Fri 27-Nov-20 15:18:05

My mum is very independent and likes to be out all day but would love this in the evening, that's when she's lonliest, is there organised events she could attend?

shaddai88 Fri 27-Nov-20 10:03:52

What is the running cost to maintain the property? Are the property built to be energy efficient!

cathryn1 Fri 27-Nov-20 07:03:46

running costs breakdown and likely re-sale value.

Yolostela Thu 26-Nov-20 19:58:52

Do you plan to have housing in North East Lincolnshire?

loubaby Thu 26-Nov-20 16:10:25

What are general rules regarding visitors and overnight stays?