You may be aware of or indeed watched the recent episode of Rip off Britain which aired at 9.30am on 15th April. A short section of the programme covered issues in the retirement housing sector. (Link below)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002b1pv
The ARHM was contacted some weeks ago to provide a statement which is also available in full. The BBC coverage was reasonably fair and picked up on the Code of Practice, making reference to exit fees and our view that they must not simply be for profit. ARHM members do not charge the large exit fees often associated with retirement communities as deferred management charges. A solicitor from ‘Which’ magazine made reference to service charges and what routes leaseholders may have to seek redress. The positive benefits of retirement housing were acknowledged and the fact that the more services that are provided, the higher the service charge would be and that it was important that the key facts about ongoing financial commitment should be provided at an early stage.
The ARHM will continue to lobby Government together with our colleagues at the Retirement Housing Group (RHG) on this latter point by advocating a specific Information and Advice Service for older peoples housing.