Relatives and visitors should use any spaces designated for visitors. If there are no such spaces, they should pick up and drop off Residents and park off site so that they do not occupy a space designed for use by Residents.

Generally no. Only Residents are permitted to park regularly within the boundaries of the development.

Generally no, because the level of need may change over the years. Parking is on a daily ‘first come first served’ basis and it is left to the goodwill of fellow Residents to give consideration to those who may be disabled.

It depends on how the developer has designed and set up the development, but generally - no. Parking is usually on a daily ‘first come, first served’ basis. There may be a charge for a covered space where applicable to particular developments - eg ‘under building’ parking.

The development is intended for the retired and experience has shown that car ownership amongst the retired is low. Provision of garages could incur maintenance and insurance costs to Residents, even when not used, plus other Local Authority charges.

The developer, in close consultation with the local authority during the planning of a development, will decide how many car parking spaces to provide. Often, due to the central location of the developments they may feel that not every Resident will have or will need a car.

The developer, during the planning of a development, may decide whether or not to provide a car parking space for the House Manager. 

CarelineUK is the leading provider of personal emergency alarm services in the UK and is chosen by a wide range of private companies and local authorities. As part of the Peverel Group, CarelineUK offer great experience, range of services and value for money, making them an ideal partner. Working with Peverel Retirement, CarelineUK have a solid history in delivering peace of mind to Residents and their family and have adapted their services to also offer the following:

Out of hours monitoring - This allows operational problems to be sorted out as a priority by high quality local contractors that have been pre-approved.

Duty Manager cover – Operators at CarelineUK are trained and briefed to have the authority to action site works and take whatever steps are required to ensure residents’ safety, in line with agreed Peverel Retirement procedures.

Optional services– CarelineUK can provide a number of dedicated emergency call and monitoring services to individual Residents and nominated carers depending on requirements and circumstances. Those individuals have the confidence of knowing they are dealing with a company that knows their requirements and the operational aspects of where they live.

This may not be permitted under the terms of the lease/deeds. If each individual tenant was allowed to display such items in flat windows, or in the grounds, the combined effect would be to make the development unsightly and have a detrimental effect on values.

In England and Wales, subject to the Freeholder’s consent, Peverel Retirement may erect its own general ‘Retirement Properties For Sale’ board on developments where re-sales exist.

Your lease/deeds will give guidance on this but; Peverel Retirement should be informed through your House Manager, prior to your flat being offered for sale. In addition, any formal notice should be given in accordance with the terms of the lease/deeds.

Subject to what your lease/deeds may say, providing occupants comply with the terms of the lease/deeds on age, you are free to sell the flat to whomsoever you wish. However, our retirement housing has been designed for the active elderly and you should consider this when offering your property for sale.

Yes. Peverel Retirement operates a specialist nationwide service – Retirement Homesearch (RHS) - for retirement property re-sales. They can be contacted through your House Manager or by visiting www.retirementhomesearch.co.uk

Yes, but many leases/deeds restrict estate agents putting up a FOR SALE notice. The flat can be advertised/marketed in all the other usual ways.

No. Once you have purchased a property, the developer does not restrict you in selling your property on the open market for the maximum price obtainable.

Yes, subject to any provisions in the lease/deeds such as the requirement to pay a contingency and/or transfer fee and restrictions on age of subsequent occupant.

Yes, so long as the person residing in the flat meets the necessary requirements on age.

You need to check your lease/deeds to find the answer to this question, but apart from restriction on age and independence, you are free to sell the flat on the open market like any other home. Subject to any personal financial arrangements, you have full equity and ownership of the property. However, a transfer fee and or contingency fee may be payable on a sale.

The lease/deeds for your flat will have very specific provisions about this, but generally, the only restrictions are that occupiers should be able to care for themselves and be able to satisfy the age requirements set out in the lease/deeds.

Generally no, the lease/deeds are usually specific in that all Residents must comply with the age restriction, but your visitors can come to stay as guests in your home for short periods, just as they could in any other home that you have had.

Generally, your lease/deeds do not allow this.

Your lease/deeds will control this but generally sublettings are only permissible to a person qualifying within the age restrictions. The observance of this requirement is necessary so that the special community of your development is maintained for all.

The lease/deeds may provide for a charge to be made in the event of subletting and Residents should check this and then contact Peverel Retirement prior to subletting to obtain details of the regulations that apply and the level of charge that will be required.

New leases are normally for 125 years, calculated from a date shortly before the first sale is anticipated. For older properties the remaining term on the lease will depend on the age of the property and the original term of the lease.

The developer arranges for the services to be connected to the building. Residents are responsible for paying electricity charges on their own flat. Purchasers are responsible for requesting that the electricity supply be connected to their new flat on completion of the purchase.

Because these areas have not been designed for that purpose there is no storage space available within developments but, where communal storage facilities do exist, permission should first be sought from the House Manager, as these facilities are usually kept locked and space can be limited.

No, there is usually a refuse room with dustbins provided and, in some developments, a refuse chute is provided from the upper floors. Collections will be in line with local council collection times.

The House Manager is responsible for ensuring the communal areas are kept clean.

The laundry is usually available and sometimes on a rota system for the convenience of all Residents. Opening times generally will be set for the laundry.

Yes, subject to the normal connection charges and regulations laid down by British Telecom. It is necessary however, for each individual to apply for their own connection. A telephone point is usually provided in each flat.

Emergency lighting is automatically activated in the communal areas during a power failure, but not in your flat.

All developments are fitted with alarms, fire instructions, log book, notices and any fire fighting equipment recommended by the Fire Officers. Regular fire equipment tests are held to ensure that all Residents are aware of the correct procedures and to check the proper performance of the equipment. Depending on the local Fire Authorities' requirements, fire drills may be undertaken from time to time.

Fire procedures for each development are discussed and agreed with the Chief Fire Officer responsible for the district within which the development is located. Normally this is a ‘stay put’ policy.

· Fire exits are accessible and clearly marked.

· Fire alarms and fire fighting equipment within the development are maintained at regular intervals by a specialist contractor.

· The alarms are tested at frequent intervals by the House Manager, Residents will be notified of what action, if any, to take. Each Resident is given a notice with their handbook which advises of the appropriate action and the marshalling point specific to their development.

Peverel Retirement believe that this should not happen.

Yes, you can obtain a guide dog, if necessary, after moving in.

Except in the case of a guide dog, replacement of pets is discouraged and usually prior permission from Peverel Retirement must be obtained. Young pets may outlive owners, which would bring hardship and distress to the pet.

Subject to what your lease/deeds says on the topic, you may keep a pet dog, cat or caged bird, subject to two conditions. First, prior permission must be obtained in writing from Peverel Retirement. Consult with your House Manager if you require permission. Secondly, the pet must not cause a nuisance to neighbours, other Residents or the Landlord (in England and Wales only). 

For the avoidance of conflict we suggest that no pets may be taken into a Residents’ lounge, guest suite or laundry. Dogs must be kept on leads in communal areas, exercised off the development and not foul communal areas or grounds.

We recommend not to. You should not fit any extra locks, bolts or chains on your door, as this would negate the value of the emergency service which the House Manager provides to you and might represent a greater risk to others in an emergency. Usually, the lock already fitted is a high security lock.

Your key will open the main entrance door to the development and the door to your flat only. It will not open the door to any other flat, as all locks are security suited, nor will anybody else's key open your flat.

No, it is your home. The House Manager has a master key to the flats, but this will only be used in accordance with the provisions of your lease/deeds, in emergencies, or with your written permission. In all developments intruder alarms are fitted to ground floor windows and entrance doors to all flats.

Next to the front door is an entry panel which contains instructions to allow your visitors to communicate with you, or the House Manager. When you have satisfactorily identified your visitors, you press a button on your entry panel and the electric door lock opens to allow your visitors in. It locks again automatically behind them. Video entry is being installed in some developments, connected via your TV screen.

No. We believe fervently in home ownership and, subject to any private financial arrangement, all Residents purchase the full equity in their property either on a freehold or leasehold basis. As with any other form of home ownership, if you become infirm, any decision to move is yours.This is not always the case with all private sheltered developments. Some, managed by Housing Associations, contain clauses in their leases/deeds which enable Residents to be removed if they become infirm or unable to maintain an independent existence.

Tradesmen are allowed access via a confidential security code only available at certain times of the day. The use of the code is restricted to those providing essential services. The House Manager keeps a watchful eye on visitors and will refuse entry to unauthorised persons.

This is of paramount importance so, yes, with regular checks made on all safety equipment. There are smoke detectors in all communal areas and, in many developments, a smoke detector/sounder is situated in each flat.

Generally, no, because these types of doors are not designed or intended for use other than for their dedicated purpose ie emergency fire doors. For security reasons fire doors are opened from the inside only and must not be used, except in an emergency.

For your safety and security, the main doors are kept locked at all times, with a security entry system in operation; all Residents are issued with a key to the main front door.

Generally no, but care should always be taken not to disturb other Residents who may have retired early to bed.  The lounge will always have soft lighting on throughout the night for those that may wish to still use it.

This facility is available first and foremost for the Residents but, on occasions, may be used by outside organisations, usually for a fee, details of which may be obtained from the House Manager.

Generally, no. If the Residents’ lounge is privately hired for a function, access to the lounge is by invitation only.

Yes, your guests are very welcome to use this facility, although certain restrictions may apply and should be discussed with your House Manager.

Yes, use of the communal facilities is encouraged, unless it has previously been booked and paid for by another Resident for a private function.

Yes, use of the communal facilities is encouraged, unless it has previously been booked and paid for by another Resident for a private function.

Yes, this is greatly welcomed, save for private functions. These facilities are provided for your enjoyment.

Developers do not normally furnish Residents’ lounges with a television. The lounge is provided for activities and social conversation.

Generally, this is not feasible as the gardens have been carefully landscaped for the benefit of all Residents with no provision is made for the inclusion of such items.

The grounds maintenance in the main is done by contractors but, by agreement with the House Manager, your assistance may be greatly appreciated.

Most developments have grounds which are designed to be for low maintenance. However, if you consult with your House Manager about any plants you wish to put in, they can advise you if it is possible.

Yes, depending on the lease/deeds, but please remember the security of the building and ensure that if you live on the ground floor your patio door is locked after use. Patio chairs should not be left out unless discussed with the House Manager (although the Company cannot accept liability for loss of or damage to any item left out). Residents from upper floors may sit in the grounds but are asked to respect the privacy of those living on the ground floor.

The lease/deeds for your flat will set out who is responsible to do this work, but generally, subject to any guarantee in force, the maintenance of the windows, but not the frames, is your responsibility. This includes the glass or double glazed units in the frames. In England and Wales the frames remain the Landlord's responsibility.

The responsibility of maintaining the communal areas rests with Peverel Retirement who will arrange for works to be carried out as required.

This will depend on whether your flat is covered by any original development warranty. Generally though, if your flat is over two years old then it will be your responsibility to put right any defects in your home.