Services
LIVING HERE - Frequently Asked Questions and Services
Q. What is the Assignment Fee and why do I have to pay it?
A. Owners of a Retirement Villages lease at Roseland Parc are required to pay an assignment fee when their property is sold. During the first year of ownership, the assignment fee will be 5% of the sale value. During the second year of ownership the fee will be 10% of the sale value and at any time thereafter, the fee will be 12.5% of the sale value. This fee includes the preferred agents selling fees, the HIPs report and the Landlord’s Solicitor’s costs. Retirement Villages’ own sales team will manage the sales process for you.
When a Retirement Village is developed there are very substantial capital costs involved in creating the central ‘country club’ facilities including, at Roseland Court, the restaurant, bar, library, swimming pool, hot tub, gym, hair & beauty salon and shop.
The assignment fees provide the landlord company with a long-term income stream, which recoups the cost of that investment. At the same time, these fees give the landlord a common interest with the leaseholders, in ensuring that capital values of properties in the Village are maintained and improved.
A common criticism of some retirement housing schemes is that “second hand” properties are difficult to sell, because the developer, having made his development profit, has no further interest in the maintenance of the scheme.
Retirement Villages Limited develops its Villages and owns them in perpetuity. We continue to invest in the upgrading and refurbishment in the central facilities and individual units so as to ensure that capital values are maximised.
Q. Who can live at Roseland Parc?
A. Anyone, who is over 55 (or is married to someone over 55). The services and facilities have been designed for people of this age group. Visitors are of course welcome and the hire of a guest suite is available.
Q. Are the properties leasehold?
A. Yes, the properties at Roseland Parc are sold with a 125 year lease. The lease commences from 1st January 2006. There is a charge of £10 per annum for ground rent.
Q. What other facilities/social activities do you have on the development?
A. There is a restaurant with sun terrace, bar, 30ft swimming pool, hot tub, fitness room, therapy room, library with Internet connections, hairdresser, shop and Sanctuary. The Village Manager and Activities Co-ordinator will be organising various activities and social events within the Village.
Q. What types of accommodation do you have?
A. We have a range of 1 and 2 bed apartments for the independent purchaser; a range of fully serviced 1 and 2 bed apartments for those who may be less active and want a hotel-style package; and a traditional nursing home.
Q. Is there a selection policy for prospective purchasers?
A. Retirement Villages does not discriminate on the grounds of age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation or disability and is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and diversity.
Our retirement villages are designed to provide an enjoyable and supported environment for older people living independently. So far as we are able we will endeavor to accommodate residents in line with our diversity policy, but we will wish to be satisfied that prospective residents are able to live independently within a community which does not provide full nursing care.
Prospective purchasers will be asked to confirm that they are generally in good health.
Purchasers who have specific health problems may be required to provide further information via their G.P. In ascertaining a person’s suitability in such a case, the landlord will rely upon sound medical advice and this assessment will be made using the criteria laid down by the Association of British Insurers to assess the need for long-term care.
Q. Can I get personal nursing care in my own home?
A. Yes, you can have a tailor-made package to suit your needs, such as help with bathing, dressing and meals for example. This would be priced accordingly.
At Roseland Parc our aim is to help you live as independently as possible, in your own home. For more information see our “Village Services and Facilities” leaflet.
Q. If my spouse or I need full nursing care, can we move to the Nursing Home?
A. Yes, provided we have a room available and Matron has agreed it is the best place for you. We will try and give priority to existing Roseland Parc residents.
Q. What will the weekly charges be?
A. Full details are in our “Village Services and Facilities Leaflet”, but briefly there are 3 options:
1. For independent cottages and apartments, you may expect to pay a Village Charge of around £64.90 per week for a single and £97.35 per week for a couple. This covers all your external insurance and maintenance, the removal of rubbish, external window cleaning, connection to the emergency call system and the use of all the amenities. The normal expenses such as water, electricity, telephone and Council Tax are not covered by this charge.
2. For fully serviced apartments, you may expect to pay £245 per week for one person with an extra £75 for a second person, plus the Village Charge as above. This “hotel style package” includes all your meals, cleaning of the apartment, internal window cleaning, laundry and linen.
3. If you are a resident in the new Nursing Home at Roseland Parc, the fees will depend on the nursing needs.
Q. Will the Service Charge increase in the future?
A. The Village Charge is based on the actual costs incurred in providing the various services within the village. Each year, residents will be informed of the expected cost, and they will have a chance to comment. Any increase, therefore, will only happen if services actually cost more, and after we have consulted all the residents. It is not possible to give predictions for this, but suffice to say the company has considerable experience, gained over 20 year of managing its villages, and is very conscious of the need to keep costs under control whilst continuing to give quality service.
Service charges over the last five years at our other villages have variably risen each year between 2.5 and 4.5%. The charges for the ‘hotel style’ services provided under the Lease of a fully serviced apartment may not be increased above the rate of inflation.
Q. What happens if I run out of funds to pay the Service charge?
A. In cases of genuine hardship, we may agree to postpone the payment of all or part of the charges, leaving them to be paid on the eventual sale of the property. Provision for this is included in the Leases of the properties.
Q. Are pets allowed?
A. Yes subject to our approval, and provided they will not be a nuisance to other residents.
Q. Are the balconies large enough for a table?
A. Yes and four chairs. The balconies measure 9ft by 4ft 6in.
Q. Are there lifts?
A. Serviced apartments do have lifts, but the independent apartments have private stairwells, which have been designed to accommodate a stair lift, if required, at a later stage. All properties have their own front door.
Q. How soundproof are the apartments?
A. New regulations in 2006 have seen the soundproofing levels increase, and these are included in Roseland Parc of course. We also have concrete flooring between ground and first floor apartments, which will ensure minimum noise levels.
Q. Are there garages? If not, what parking arrangements are there?
A. There are no garages provided. Parking is on the edge of the development, leaving the properties traffic-free, and access safe for mobility scooters etc.
We have 59 apartments and cottages and in excess of 70 parking spaces plus 3 disabled parking spaces). Bearing in mind that a large percentage of the purchasers in serviced apartments won’t be driving, there should be ample parking for residents and visitors.
There will also be a golf buggy on call, positioned at the parking area, during the day. This will be available to assist residents from their car to their apartment with shopping etc.
Q. Is the reservation fee refundable?
A. The reservation fee is £1000. £500 is refundable.
Q. What would happen if death occurred between exchange and completion?
A. If death occurs between exchange and completion, the 10% deposit paid at exchange would be refunded to the family or executor, less any costs incurred by the solicitors. These costs should total no more than £1000.
Q. Can I, or my executors, sell my property privately?
A. Roseland Parc require first refusal on the resale of your property, details of which are explained in the Lease.
Q. What do I do if I have a house to sell?
A. We have an ‘Assisted Purchase Plan’. We offer a stress free plan to help you sell your property so you can move here as soon as possible. This means we pay your Estate Agent fees, when our preferred Estate Agent is used, together with a HIPS (Home Information Pack) report up to the maximum £10,000. We can arrange to have your property valued and manage your sale for you, advising you every step of the way. We will review your house sale and purchase after 6 weeks, consulting with you if you have not been able to secure a purchaser. Please ask us for more details.
Lifetime Mortgages / Equity Release
Please ask Sales staff for details.
Part of the 'village' philosophy is to allow people the freedom to choose. One of the key benefits of moving to Roseland Parc is the flexibility of the services to suit everyone’s changing needs over time. The team of experienced staff can work with you to develop an individual plan to make life as comfortable as possible.
A benefit for couples is that they can live together and stay together, even when one partner becomes less active and needs more specialised care. When, and if, the need arises, this extra support can simply be put into place through the on-site domiciliary care agency.
The service charge paid by residents covers the provision of the quality amenities, and maintenance of all the buildings and gardens. Residents are responsible for their own council tax, water rates, electricity bill and telephone. When you no longer require the apartment a transfer service is provided.
Independent Living Properties
The independent living properties allow people to live life to the full, in their own homes. Residents in these properties only pay the village service charge as standard. This reflects the actual cost of running Roseland Parc, and is fixed for a year. It covers:
- Maintenance and running of all village amenities, including the Spa and swimming pool, the gardens and grounds
- External maintenance of your home and buildings insurance
- Regular cleaning of the outside of your windows
- Provision of a car, with driver, to take you on outings
- "Golf buggy" service to collect your luggage and shopping from your car and convey it to your own front door
- Access to Sky TV, telephone and Internet connections and a 24-hour two-way call system to the nursing home
- Administration of these services and facilities
We can also offer a range of additional practical support and personal care, not included in the village service charge, as detailed in the extra support packages section below.
Fully Serviced Apartments
Fully serviced apartments are sold with a ‘hotel-style’ package of services and are set around the central Palm Garden and on the top floor of Roseland Court, in the heart of the village. Residents pay the fully serviced apartment charge which is fixed for a year and includes:
- Village service charge (see services to independent living properties for details)
- Two meals each day delivered to your home if you wish
- Supply of breakfast and beverage provisions to your kitchenette
- Daily visit from your own carer
- Daily cleaning and tidying of your home
- Weekly bed linen change and all personal laundry
- Access to additional practical support and personal care from the on-site Roseland Parc domiciliary care agency.
Extra Support Packages
Whether you are considering moving to Roseland Parc, or have been a resident for some time, you may decide you need some extra support. This could include;
- Help with domestic chores (for those not in the fully serviced apartments) such as cleaning, laundry and ‘meals on wheels’
- Handyman service
- Private trips in the village car
- Collection of prescriptions
- Personal care from Roseland Parc’s own domiciliary care agency.
- Convalescent or respite care in the Roseland Nursing Home, subject to availability.
- The prices for these extra services are reviewed from time to time but typically range from £12 to £18 per hour
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