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

do you have control of the temperature in your own accommodation? or is it set that the whole building is always hot? Also what happens if there is a neighbor dispute?

Are retirement homes a good investment?

Is there a curfew or can you stay out late? I wouldn't want to feel like a teenager sneaking home.

what are the fees associated with these properties, they all seem really nice and in lovely areas, are quite high price too, so just wondering what else you have to pay for, thankyou

I'm sure the basic idea of these homes is a good one, but I would fear being organised far too much, with a list of dos and don't's. I like my independence, being able to choose what to do and when to do it, plus I would like to know just what bills to expect, when to expect them and how much they would be - with no nasty hidden surprises.
I just wonder how much McCarthy and Stone would expect to take from any future sale and also how long you would have to stay there before you could sell on. (Would McCarthy and Stone want to vet who you sold too, as well?)

Can i have visitors stay overnight without having to explai who they are?

id be up for the idea when im older, isnt it costly though??

Can I have a visitor to stay in my apartment for a few weeks (or months) if I become ill and need looking after?

I’ve heard that if the owner is unable to pay the monthly Management Fee the amounts are added to a final Bill which, when the home is eventually sold, will have to be paid, is this correct ?
Or would the home owner be asked to leave as soon as they are unable to pay?

What does the maintenance charge cover?

If purchased a one bedroom appartment/flat then is there a "guest room" within the various sites to accommodate for a relative who wants an overnight stay ?

I would like to ask another question related to grandchildren. Are residents in retirement communities permitted to carry out child-minding duties for pre-school age grandchildren on the premises or is it forbidden/discouraged?
Thanks for your help which will influence my future decision.

Can the property be purchased by a Retiree, but then rented out to another?

Do all your apartments have a service charge? If you don’t qualify for attendance allowance this makes it quite expensive.

Can the property be sold and if so does it have to be sold back to McCarthy & Stone?

Would I be able to keep my two cats and would they be able to go outside?

I'm just a bit scared about our lack of control and that decisions could be made for us and what notice would be taken of our wishes. In reality, how much say do residents have?

If I rented a property in a retirement village and found myself living next to another older person who developed major behavioural problems (for whatever reason) and this impacted on my quality of life, I could give up my tenancy and move. If I had bought the property, and it did not sell easily (as is happening with some developments just now) I would be stuck....wouldn't I?

Do they have particular rules in the retirement villages? Like you can't be out after 9?

How do you cater for people with a faith?

Will negative interest rates mean that leaving money in cash at the bank will lose value?

What is the price range of these properties?

I would want to know upfront, all the extra costa re maintenance etc. Do you provide this at the initial discussion?

Before buying a property is there an opportunity to meet
current residents and ask them about buying and living in a
retirement setting

I would love to do this and be surrounded by likeminded people of a similar age BUT I would much prefer to have my own small garden included, just for privacy - but probably kept in order by someone else as we get older and less capable