Purchaser Checklist

If you are considering purchasing a property in one of our villages you may find it useful to take a copy of this checklist with you when you next visit. It will ensure you have considered all aspects, some of which may not be as obvious as others.

Please feel free to print off a copy and bring it with you next time you are visiting.

Please click here to download a printable version of the checklist. When you have printed the document click the back arrow in your Internet browser to return to the website.

The village

Walk round the grounds and consider the following:

• Is the village near family and friends?
• Is the village close to transport, doctors, shopping centres and community facilities?
• What is your first impression of the village? Is there a pleasant atmosphere?
• How noisy is the location? Eg: is there much traffic noise or construction work taking place nearby?
• What facilities are there? Eg: a swimming pool, restaurant, library, function room…
• Are these the facilities you want?
• Are the facilities and communal buildings in general in good order?
• Is there a village manager? What other staff is there?

The property

Walk through the property and ask yourself:

• Are taps and switches easy to use?
• Are the cupboards and shelves within easy reach?
• Is there a 24-hour emergency button in a handy, easy-to-reach place?
• Are the light switches at a good height and are there enough power points?
• Is there enough wall space for furniture?
• Does the interior feel light and airy enough fro you?
• Does the bathroom have outward opening or sliding doors, so you can't be trapped inside?

Talk to the residents

Speak to as many residents as you can. Ask them:

• What are the good and bad points about the village?
• What social activities are there?
• What are the operators, managers and staff like?
• Are the residents satisfied with the level of maintenance?
• How often do the fees rise, and by how much?
• How much control do the residents really have?

General

Make sure you have copies of the FAQ’s, village rules and any other relevant documentation. Read all the documentations, and get your lawyer to check them out too.

• What are the conditions of entry?
• What future construction work is planned?
• Are any further phasing or improvements planned?
• What facilities are your personally allocated, eg: car park and storage space?
• Can you alter the property, eg: add a conservatory?
• If so, what procedures will you need to go through before making alterations?
• Will you have any say in the management of the village and village rules?
• Can you keep a pet?
• Are there suitably-qualified people on call in an emergency?
• Is there a separate charge for using them?
• Can visitors stay in your property? If so, for how long?
• Can visitors use the other facilities?
• Can you work from home in your property?
• What support services are available in the village and nearby? Ask about your doctor’s visits. What do these services cost?
• Does the village provide transport to the local shops? Is there a charge for this?
• Is temporary help available during short-term illness or ongoing care (such as, following a stroke)?
• What control do you have over the decision that you are unable to cope in your existing accommodation?
• What rules must the manager adhere to? Eg: they may be requested to maintain good financial records, provide a certain number of staff, maintain communal property and a 24-hour emergency call system, establish a committee of residents to advise on management, and attend to the reasonable requests of the residents.

Entry fee

• What is the reservation fee?
• How much of the reservation fee is refundable when you sell?
• Is there any help if I have a house to sell?
• Is there a personal manager service?

Service charge

• What is the service charge, and what does it cover?
• What limits are there on how much the charge can be adjusted?
• What happens to charge requirements if you go on holiday, go into hospital, your spouse dies, or you leave your property, marry or remarry?
• What say will you have in setting the ongoing fee?
• What costs are you directly responsible for?

Assignment fee

• Are there any fees when you leave?
• What do you have to pay when you leave?

When you come to sell

• Who controls the sale of your property?
• What is the procedure for selling your property?
• If the village is in charge of the sale, can you still arrange an independent valuer to settle any dispute over the asking and sale prices?
• Does the village offer any assistance?

The future

• If some of the advertised services are not yet operating how long will this take?
• What are the future development plans? How will they affect your property?
• If some properties remain empty, do remaining residents cover the bill for maintenance and rates for those properties?

Financial soundness

Obtain copies of the village’s financial records. Look over them yourself; you may even want to get an experienced accountant to check them out.

• How financially strong is the village?
• Is it profitable?
• What are the company’s assets and liabilities?
• Have the accounts been independently audited?