Services
LIVING HERE - Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the assignment fee and why will I have to pay it?
A: At Thamesfield, the fee is 10% of the sale value, paid when you sell. Retirement Villages will manage the sales process for you and this will include all marketing costs, including the agents’ selling fees and landlord’s legal costs. This fee gives Retirement Villages and yourself a common interest in ensuring the capital value of your property is maintained and improved.
A criticism of some retirement housing schemes is that ‘second hand’ properties are difficult to sell because the developer, having made his profit, has no further interest in the maintenance of the scheme. The Retirement Villages group owns each project in perpetuity. We will continue to invest in the upgrading and refurbishment of central facilities and individual properties to ensure capital values are maximised.
Q. What are the basic details of the lease?
A. The lease for all properties at Thamesfield is for a term of 125 years at a ground rent of £100 per annum.
The majority of properties are sold on the basis of a lease which can either be surrendered to the Landlord at a figure based on 90% of the open market value or assigned to any qualifying person/persons (aged 65 and over) in which case an assignment fee of 10% of the sale price is payable to the Landlord by the vendor.
Q: Is the apartment for sale or rent?
A: It is for sale on a leasehold basis.
Q: Who is Retirement Villages?
A: Retirement Villages was established over 25 years ago to develop and manage purpose built communities catering for independent and supported lifestyles. Thamesfield Ltd is a wholly owned part of the Retirement Villages group.
Q: Will you buy back the apartment when the time comes to sell it?
A: Retirement Villages has an option to buy the apartment back from you
when you or your executors wish to sell. Initially, we obtain a written valuation from an independent surveyor and we may offer you (subject to contract) 90% of the valuation price. Retirement Villages’ own sales team will manage the sales process for you.
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 endeavour 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 obtain from their GP a past medical history including any current medication they are taking, if applicable, and send it to the Care Manager prior to a care assessment with the Care Manager.
Q: How much will it cost me to live here?
A: This will depend on how much care you require. There are two separate charges. The first is the Service Charge. This is currently £118 per week. It includes heating and lighting of your property (please see the separate Service Charge sheet for all the other specific items it covers). The second charge is your Personal Care Option and this will depend on the level of care you decide upon.
To maintain your well being a weekly charge of £167.65 for single occupancy and £251.45 per week for double occupancy will be made which includes a 24-hour immediate emergency response from trained staff, and everything else included on the separate Standard Plan sheet. The other separate costs to consider would just be your local council tax and your own telephone bill.
Q: How much care will I receive?
A: We offer a full programme of care through our own domiciliary care agency called Thamesfield at Home. The Care Manager will be responsible for your care. She has her own team of qualified carers and can build a programme of care designed specifically for you.
Q: Do you employ outside agency staff?
A: No, we only employ our own staff within our ‘in-house’ agency Thamesfield at Home. We place a great deal of importance on recruiting the right people, training them, and getting to know them and we want you to get to know them too. The staff are selected for their reliability, integrity, friendliness and professionalism.
Q: Will someone monitor and order any medications if I request it?
A: Yes, a trained carer, supervised by the Care Manager, will always monitor your medications if this is what you would like. We will also re-order and collect them for you.
Q: Is there someone on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year?
A: Yes, for emergencies, including Christmas and New Year.
Q: Is the GP on the National Health and how often do they visit Thamesfield?
A: Yes, they are registered with the National Health. They are specially retained by us and visit Thamesfield once a week. Our GP is Dr E Collett who is a partner at the Bell Street Practice in Henley.
Q: In an emergency how would I get to hospital and which hospital will I be admitted to?
A: If you ring the emergency call bell it will be answered by a senior NVQ qualified carer who will assess the situation and summon the appropriate help. It is likely to be a doctor or paramedic who will treat you at Thamesfield or have you transferred to either the Royal Berks Hospital in Reading or the Wrexham Park Hospital in Slough. This will be by ambulance or air ambulance if necessary.
Q: What security is there?
A: We have the very latest digital CCTV system installed with 22 cameras operating throughout the building and grounds. These are relayed through monitors into our main offices for observation and immediate recall should something prove to be of concern. We also have intruder lighting at night and electric gates which close at night.
Q: Do I need to insure the property?
A: We insure the buildings and the furnishings in the common parts. You just need to insure the contents within your own apartment.
Q: Can I bring my own furniture and effects?
A: Yes, of course. It is your home and you can bring whatever you want.
Q: What about my pet dog or cat?
A: Yes, it will be welcome providing it is not a danger or annoyance to other apartment owners.
Q: Is there a choice of menu and when are meals served?
A: Yes, a choice of hot or cold breakfast is served from 8.15am. Coffee and home made biscuits from 10.30am. Lunch is three or four courses with a choice of three dishes at each course, served from 12.30-2pm. Guests are most welcome to join you. Afternoon tea is from 3.30pm with evening dinner from 6.30pm.
Q: Can I have meals served in my apartment as well as the Orangery and the Conservatory?
A: Yes, we can serve meals within your apartment. This is not a problem.
Q: Do you have overnight accommodation for guests?
A: No, we are sorry we do not, but there is an excellent small, private hotel opposite Thamesfield. Many of our guests choose to stay there the night, spending their days here with you. They are more than welcome to join you here for all meals.
Q: Are there any recreational activities I can join in with?
A: Yes, we have a full and varied activities programme, run by Annie. You are free to join in as much or as little as you please.
Q: Can I still employ my own housekeeper from my previous home?
A: No, we are sorry but due to current legislation and our own insurance liability we can only allow our own staff, employed and trained by ourselves, to work within the apartments.
Q: Can I have a cleaner for my apartment?
A: Yes, we can provide a cleaner, starting from one hour a week upwards. You can choose how much time you require.
Q: In later years if I require more assistance will I have to move again?
A: No, not unless your GP recommends it. Our aim is to ensure that you can be cared for within your own apartment by our own team of qualified carers for as long as you need us.
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