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

That's all we have time for today! Thanks again to everyone who left a question, I've really enjoyed answering them and I hope I've provided some useful information and given a bit of an insight into retirement at Mccarthy and Stone's properties.

Sorry I didn't get round to answering everyone's questions. If I didn't answer yours or you'd like any more information on our properties feel free to visit our website www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk or call us on 0800 201 4811. We look forward to hearing from you.

Take care, Cheryl

libra10

I have a couple of questions.

If considering McCarthy & Stone (or similar styles of retirement living), can you keep your pet living with you?

Also, I'm presuming that the apartments are lease-hold, am concerned about potential lease-hold and service costs rising annually. It would be helpful if Cheryl Bissett could comment on this.

Hi libra10!

You are welcome to bring a well-behaved pet to live with you in your apartment. Please contact your Sales team for more details. Or talk to us on 0800 201 4811. Terms and conditions apply www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk/how-we-help/pet-policy/

You’re right the apartments are leasehold, 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 depending on the level of service, number of bedrooms and location. Within the M25 area, they range from c.£500-£600 per year. All ground rents are fixed for 15 years.

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. The budgeted costs are presented every 12 months. Everyone living in a development is invited to an annual budget meeting to discuss the proposals.
For more information on our charges please visit click through to the website here: www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk/how-we-help/service-charge/

Lollin

Does mccarthy & stone take a percentage from any resale?

Hi lollin

Thanks for your question! You're under no obligation to use McCarthy and Stone's resale service, however if you choose to we do charge an estate agency fee as a percentage of the agreed selling price (plus VAT).

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

albertina

Can I rent rather than buy ?

Hello albertina

Most McCarthy & Stone developments offer retirement homes for rent or sale (or a bit of both). For many people, renting provides a quick, easy and flexible way to enjoy all the advantages of life in a beautiful McCarthy & Stone apartment. For some, it offers the chance to ‘try before you buy’.

If you’re not sure if renting a retirement property is right for you, talk to us. Our aim to make the entire experience, from making the best decision to moving in, as simple and straightforward as possible.

Give us a call on: 0800 201 4811 or visit our website: www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk/making-your-move/rentals/

Missingmoominmama

Is there always a warden on duty, and would residents have a call button if, for instance, they fell, or were taken ill suddenly?

Hi Missingmoominmama

All our Retirement Living and Retirement Living PLUS apartments have a 24 hour emergency-call systems for added peace of mind.

owl5454

What the rules would be around having family stay, is it completely easy for them to come and go?

Hi owl5454

McCarthy & Stone’s apartments are designed to maximise space and comfort – many customers are surprised at how spacious the rooms are, so there is plenty of space to entertain. If you need more space in the day to spend time with guests, you can use the homeowners’ lounge. If they want to stay and you haven’t made up the spare room, visitors can stay in the hotel-style guest suite, available at most developments at a low cost.

Dearknees1

What's the maximum number of bedrooms in your properties? We often have people to stay.

Hi there Dearknees1,

Our apartments have 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms, and we also offer guest suites at all of our Retirement Living and Retirement Living PLUS developments.

sharkgirl

Are there any "rules" such as how many cars you can park and where, do you have a personal designated space, is it a free for all or are you limited to one car and one space per property? What happens if you have visitors and they can't park and is visitor parking time limited? 2nd question. Do you have an area of private open space available with the property to cultivate personally?

Thanks for your question sharkgirl

On-site car parking is provided at our apartments, although arrangements vary between developments so please contact the on-site Sales or Management team for more details, or give us a call on 0800 201 4811.

Most apartments offer private outdoor space or balconies and communal gardens for the residents to enjoy, and in fact many developments have their own garden club.

Jillybird

I'm heavily into interior design. Would I have to accept someone else's choice of decor and furnishings, kitchen units, etc. or could I redecorate and change things?

Hi Jillybird!

Yes, you may of course decorate your apartment how you like once you have purchased it. We can recommend retailers of carpets, curtains and light fittings etc or you can employ your own choice of companies if you prefer.

The walls are painted in cream or white as standard however we can also provide interior design options at an additional charge.

One thing to note is if your apartment has underfloor heating, carpets must be replaced with carpet which meets regulations.

Nannylovesshopping

I’ve heard that everyone has to have the same furniture, is this true?

Hello Nannylovesshopping

No not at all, you are free to have your choice of furniture in your McCarthy and Stone apartment.

Funkyferret

Have McCarthy and Stone got lists of approved tradespeople for their developments? I'm currently trying to find a couple of trades for jobs on my property and I'm finding the process of actually getting tradesmen to quote then assessing really drawn out and a little stressful. I don't expect to get any more relaxed about this when I get older!

Hi Funkyferret

Our House Managers and Estates Managers have lists of local tradespeople and will be able to help you to find a reputable company!

Jaxie

What is the level of soundproofing in MacCarthy & Stone properties? Those who are hard of hearing sometimes turn the sound up to unacceptable levels on TV & radio, which could disconcert close neighbours.

Hi Jaxie

Our apartments are built to comply fully with building regulations which cover sound proofing, so no need to worry about this

maryandbuzz1

If we were to consider moving into a retirement home, are there facilities and help with selling our present home?

Thanks maryandbuzz1

Our Part Exchange works like any other property part exchange offer and when you’ve chosen the retirement apartment you want, if it’s at a participating development, McCarthy & Stone can buy your existing property as part of the overall sales process. For more information;https://www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk/how-we-help/part-exchange/

Nobody expects moving home to be easy, but our Smooth Move service is here to help you every step of the way; from the moment you make a reservation, through to the day you move in. As the UK’s leading developer and manager of retirement communities, we’ve had years of experience helping to make things go more smoothly, which includes helping with the cost.

www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk/how-we-help/smooth-move/

ballie

Could you explain how the Part Buy Part Rent Scheme works and also confirm how old you need to be in order to purchase or rent?

Hi ballie

Of course! Part buy, part rent is an affordable way to enjoy life in our retirement apartments without committing to the full purchase price. It’s perfect if you want more financial flexibility, now or in the future.

If it sounds a bit complicated, don’t worry, we’re here to guide you through the process so not only can you can be sure it’s right for you, it’s stress-free too.

If you have any questions feel free to call us on: 0800 201 4811

See my previous answer above for info on how old you have to be to purchase or rent!

HeatherW

Hi Cheryl,
I have looked at the nearest development to us, which is Bilton, Rugby. Yet to be built, but it looks like we would have to be 70 to live there?

Quote The Retirement Living PLUS Apartments for the over 70s

If only one partner is 70, can the other partner not join them if under 70?
A bit like on Saga holidays, only one partner has to be a certain age?
Thank you

Hi HeatherW

Each development has their own lease requirements, so it is always best to check, but usually to have sole occupancy of a Retirement Living apartment you need to be aged 60 or over. For joint occupancy one of the occupants has to be over 60 and the other over 55 and to have sole occupancy of a Retirement Living PLUS apartment, you need to be aged 70 or over. For joint occupancy usually one of the occupants has to be over 70 and the other over 65.

There is no upper limit. The lease will state that you’re not permitted to occupy an apartment under the age limit set. There is no age limit for buying one of our apartments, just to live in them.

For more information please call: 0800 201 4811

luckypete

Is there a list of propertys available and are new complexes being planned ?

Hello luckypete

You can find all our developments and future developments featured on our website, here: www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk/great-places-to-live/types-of-developments/

katieskatie82

can you sell it on afterwards?

Hi @katieskatie82!

Yes you can sell your apartment privately or instruct our resales team. For more information visit www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk/resales/

boodymum67

Is it possible to part ex my bungalow for an apartment?

Hi there boodymum67

Yes of course! Our Part Exchange works like any other property part exchange offer and when you’ve chosen the retirement apartment you want, if it’s at a participating development, McCarthy & Stone can buy your existing property as part of the overall sales process.

For more information on Part Exchange view here: www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk/how-we-help/part-exchange/

theresacoo

How can Mcarthy and Stone help with on going care needs as they change?
Things like mobility or dementia?
Thank you

Hello theresacoo

Our Retirement Living PLUS properties are an example of Extra Assisted Care properties. When you own, rent or part buy and part rent a luxury apartment in one of these retirement communities, you don’t have to worry about tiresome chores like gardening and maintaining a building. Plus, you’ll receive an hour of dedicated care each week that you can use on tasks you’d like help with. This could be help with the washing up, help cleaning or help grocery shopping.
Our self-contained properties that come with Extra Assisted Care allow you to keep your independence, allow you to live close to like-minded people and mean that you’ll have a helpful team of friendly faces nearby, just in case you ever need them.

McCarthy & Stone properties are designed for active independent living. They are not suitable for people with significant care needs like advanced dementia.

If that is a concern, it’s important that buyers and their families understand the limit of the support McCarthy & Stone can offer. If McCarthy & Stone is unsure whether a would-be homeowner needs more support than we can offer, a care manager may ask to make a home visit to discuss their concerns or to speak to the customer’s GP.

If a homeowner develops dementia while living on our developments, there’s a lot we can do to support them. If they can no longer live safely and independently in a development, we can work with them and their family to help them move to a more specialised setting.

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/