Q&A

A. Anyone, who is over 60 (or is married to someone over 60).  The services and facilities have been designed for people of this age group.  Visitors of residents are, of course, welcome and the hire of a guest suite is available.

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 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. 

A. Yes, the properties are sold with 299 year lease. The lease commenced on 1986. 

A. Owners of a Retirement Villages lease are required to pay an assignment fee when their property is sold. If the purchase is of an existing Lease, the assignment fee on re-sale will be 1.5% of the sale value.

If the Lease is with Retirement Villages Ld the assignment fee on re-sale will be:

• On the re-sale during the first year of ownership, the assignment fee will be 5% of the sale value.
• On the re-sale during the second year of ownership the fee will be 10% of the sale value.
• On the re-sale at any time thereafter, the fee will be 12.5% of the sale value. 

This fee includes the preferred agents selling fees, the Energy Performance Certificate and the Landlord’s Solicitor’s costs. Retirement Villages’ own sales team can 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 The Priory, the restaurant, library, swimming pool, hair salon, croquet lawn, billiards room, and table tennis room. These facilities may, at a future date, be expanded.

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. 

A. There is a restaurant, indoor heated swimming pool, library, hairdresser, activities/billiards room with full size billiards table, table tennis room, and croquet lawn. The five acre site is maintained by grounds staff; there are also greenhouses for the residents’ use.  Some residents prefer to maintain their own garden areas/patios. If they need assistance, this can be arranged at additional cost.

There is a mini-bus based at The Priory, which transports residents to Newton Abbot, Totnes, Torquay etc on a regular basis.

There is a Residents’ Association for those residents who choose to join.  The Residents’ Association organises various activities for members.

A. At present, we have a range of one and two bed apartments and cottages for the independent purchaser.

A. Yes, RV Care is available at The Priory, and you can have a tailor-made package to suit your needs, for example with bathing, dressing, meals and housekeeping. This is priced accordingly with a care plan produced which would be agreed with you. An assessment would be made with the RV Care Manager for any care required and this care package is billed separately to your monthly Priory account.

At The Priory our aim is to help you live as independently as possible, in your own home. 

A. From April 2011 to March 2012, the service charges for independent cottages and apartments are as follows:

£3,720 per annum for a one bedroom cottage or apartment

£4,449 per annum for a two bedroom cottage or apartment 

Plus £20 contingency fee

There is currently an annual service review in progress, and indications show that there will be a small increase between 3 – 5%.

This covers all your external buildings insurance and maintenance, the removal of rubbish, external window cleaning, connection to the emergency call system, water and sewerage, and the use of all the amenities. The normal expenses such as electricity, telephone and Council Tax are not covered by this charge.

A. Salaries and National Insurance:

* Administration - A team including the Village Manager who are responsible for the supervision and control of the complete on-site management of the village

* Maintenance – Employed or contracted staff who are responsible primarily for the upkeep of the communal grounds, buildings and equipment in the village.

* An emergency 24/7 facility coverage.

Maintenance Reserve Fund (Sinking fund)

There is a programme for planned maintenance, together with the replacement of large items of equipment. The reserve fund is designed to allow for these expenditures as and when they occur, thereby reducing the need for large variations to service charges. The fund is also there should unforeseen maintenance items arise.

Communal Rates

The business rates for the office accommodation, restaurant, and all the other central facilities.

Insurance

A block policy is in place to cover the buildings insurance on each property and on all communal buildings. Furnishings in communal areas and equipment used in maintaining the village are also covered, together with employer’s and public liability.

Communal Energy

This is the cost of heating, lighting and water to all communal parts of the village.

Office Supplies/Telephone

The costs of running the office accommodation and associated services.

Repairs and Maintenance

• The external maintenance, decoration and repair of all properties on the estate including the structure, roofs and foundations.
• Internal maintenance: repair and decoration of the clubhouse and other common parts of the estate.

• The provision of a refuse collection service.
• The maintenance or replacement where necessary of such plant, machinery, and equipment as required.

Maintenance Contracts

The payment of charges in respect of maintenance and servicing contracts for storage/water heaters, lift, fire alarms, alarm call system and other communal equipment.

Accountancy/Legal

Auditors costs for the provision of independently certified statements of accounts and any license fees payable.

Management Fee 

The fee payable to the Landlord’s appointed manager, RV Services Ltd, for the provision of services to the on site management company and for overall accountability of providing and monitoring the entire facility.

Cleaning Materials, Window Cleaning, Garden Supplies, Uniforms, Interest and Recruitment Advertisements

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.

A. Yes subject to our approval, and provided they will not be a nuisance to other residents.

A. Yes, at The Priory there is a lift to the first floor from the main reception hall.  Many of the independent cottages, or apartments on the second floor, have been designed to accommodate a stair lift, if required, at a later stage. All properties have their own front door.

A, Yes, there are garages and/or parking allocated for each property.  There is also visitors’ parking.

A. The Priory requires first refusal on the resale of your property, details of which are explained in the Lease.