Retirement flat management fees

Fire_Fox

Appreciate this doesn't apply to an 80 year old but hope it is helpful ... Service charges and ground rent can also be included in a claim for JSA from the DWP where it cannot be claimed within housing benefit or Support for Mortgage Interest (ie. if you own outright).

However there are exclusions - buildings insurance, major works, 'unnecessary' extras like concierge, gym, cleaning/ maintenance within the flat etc. How that applies to older folks for whom certain services are more of a necessity than a luxury I don't know.

fishergelic

...for all the helpful replies. I am currently doing lots of research, as Savvy Sue has said, some of the specialist older Housing Associations will accept me on their list, eg Hanover, Anchor, but could be a long wait. Some also sell their retirement properties, but their management fees are almost as much as the private sector! Lots of food for thought, and am looking at lots of different places for rent and sale. Part of me thinks "sod it" go for what you want and if you run out of money well at least I will have had a few years in a place I like. But the careful bit if me, which has got me to the point of having savings, keeps asking "what if?"!

missile

It is a big decision, you are doing the right thing by researching your options carefully. I hope it works out for you.

lessonlearned

I used to be a manager at an Anchor Trust complex. I loved my job.

It was a lovely place and we had some fantastic residents - some real characters.

There were plenty of people there who were in receipt of housing benefit for both their rent and their maintenance charges. We actually had a couple of people who were in fact bankrupts - not that it bothered them.

The complex I helped run had a mixture of bedsits (actually quite large) and one bedroomed flats. As you say the waiting lists can be quite long - especially for the larger flats.

It was common practice for someone to take a bedsit as a stop gap measure and then transfer to a larger flat when one became available. An exisiting resident would take priority for a larger flat over an "outsider".

Do double check this first with the complex of your choice but I think that if you have sold your property you can rent privately whilst you are on the waiting list.

One of the major pluses with the complex I worked at was that the rent included heating costs, the tenant only had to pay for their own electricity - lighting, cooking, etc

That's quite a consideration if you are on a small budget - no worries about whether or not you cannot afford to keep yourself warm.

Would I live in one - yes, definitely when I'm a bit older or if I become infirm.

lessonlearned

fishergelic wrote: »

Part of me thinks "sod it" go for what you want and if you run out of money well at least I will have had a few years in a place I like. But the careful bit if me, which has got me to the point of having savings, keeps asking "what if?"!

I must admit I've been thinking along those lines myself. I fancy a really swanky penthouse.:rotfl:

fishergelic

Thanks "lessons learned". I said no to studio flat because I thought it would be too tiny, but may now say yes given your reply!

lessonlearned

There's no harm going on the waiting list.

In our complex you were allowed three refusals. After that you went to the back of the list again.

Re the transferring to a larger flat. There was usually a twelve month residency "qualifying period".

I don't know if all Anchor complexes operate the same criteria though.

Hope that helps.

fishergelic

Update - got my name on housing lists, and put the house on the market. Have seen a lovely flat in a retirement complex I would like to rent, still waiting to hear about costs etc. Not sure if it is sensible to rent and use up capital. If I knew how long I was going to live it would make decisions easier! Anyone know the position on council tax if I move before I sell? All the suggestions have been so helpful, thank you.

missile

Glad to hear you have found somewhere you like.

Go for it and spend your cash if can help you enjoy what time you have left. There are no pockets in a shroud.

Savvy_Sue

fishergelic wrote: »

Anyone know the position on council tax if I move before I sell?

There is usually a discount when a property is empty, for a short period, but it may vary from one local council to another, so check on their website.