McCarthy & Stone said that since 2010 it has run its own management service on new sites and no longer sells the freeholds to other parties. Thank you for that useful feedback, I had a similar experience when I sold my uncles McCarthy and Stone flat in Gloucester a few years ago. 1. We had most success when emailing direct to the area director – think it is director, but too dog for your region. ( Log Out /  As there presently are no bodies effectively regulating this business nothing will change. She doesn’t want to downsize to a flat in an ordinary block where most people go out to work and she may not meet anyone, and there’s no-one to help her change a lightbulb. So don’t be fooled by the sales pitch the reality is quite quite different as far as McCarthy and stone are concerned. Would love to hear what your decision was, and how’s it working out? If buying a retirement home pay attention to service charges and dont believe everything you are told. but eventually they were all sorted by the end of last month. She is here five days a week. Peverel is more widely disliked, and it is excellent that the issues surrounding … I have advised a family friend on their purchase of a brand new McCarthy & Stone apartment in Leicestershire and made them very aware that their property may not be worth what they paid for it. Now I think it is water seeping through the lounge ceiling again….. Good luck, Joby, I hope the move goes smoothly. McCarthy & Stone. Accounts. Which type of development was it? I’d gladly lose some of my inheritance to see my Mum happy, secure and independent (which I hope she will be in a few months time in her new M&S retirement flat, if all goes to plan). While fitting he noticed a damp patch showing under the protective plastic put down on the bedroom carpet outside the ensuite. Bearing in mind your experiences with water leaks, I also engaged a surveyor to do a snagging survey shortly before exchanging contracts but was refused access by M&S on the grounds that its contractors are still working in the flat and it won’t be finished until completion day. This doesn’t make sense as the service charge (itself high) covers the costs of the additional services – the flat shouldn’t cost any more than a normal flat. 2. As I suspected! Assume a template is employed, but terms seem heavily weighted in favour of Landlord. Nice hotel a few minutes away on the sea front, all meals paid for, but we are not on holiday. The basic Retirement Living model has many pluses for the elderly like a room for storing and recharging mobility scooters, wide corridors and the usual rails and alarms in bathrooms. However, I have no doubt they play on older people wanting a smooth move rather than the complications that can happen if you do it all yourself! It’s disappointing to hear that M&S weren’t helpful with regard to dealing with the issues. POOR PLANNING. Just hoping it’s not too large a sum! Secondly “Assisted Living” which is an enhanced offer which provides some degree of support. McCarthy & Stone Resales. Eventually, yet another new one was ordered; this time it cost the firm £500 because our ensuite shower cubicle apparently is not a standard length – the bog standard 2018 replacement tray simply had the end sawn off! Assistant Service Charge Accountant at McCarthy & Stone Bournemouth, United Kingdom 32 connections. We still like living here in this McCarthy and Stone development, with our great location and community, but these downsides have become a problem now……… One of the questions must be, what are the alternatives? If he was to become more poorly or suffer dementia, can he be evicted? The service charge budgets represent those costs that would be expected to be incurred in a normal year of operation with a full development. But, if you buy off-plan into a new development you have to exchange contracts before your flat is ready to live in. Hi Joby, I am not really sure what the Smooth Move entails as they change the names of the ‘deals’ over time. The plumbers told us each shower tray was a different size (!) Mary Childs 1 review. This is a nonsense when you properly consider the mobility needs of older people. Thanks for these helpful reviews. “The vast majority of … An M&S out of hours phone number is available in a book and we have volunteer wardens amongst the residents should there be a fire but who can sometimes help on other matters too. In a recent Retirement Development I was involved with, I researched local competition and McCarthy & Stone had a scheme which was around 4 years old in close proximity. You can buy a two bed detached bungalow for £180k, they tried to tell me that the apartments are good value. With some developments you can try before you buy by staying in the guest room for a couple of nights. All the best to you and your mum It will also mean peace of mind for me- less worrying about her alone in a house and garden that’s got too difficult for her to manage. ( Log Out /  I have asthma and some sensitivity to various chemical and environmental smells; Jamie deemed it an emergency needing repair immediately and sealed it shut. Thank you for your comment. Car parking has been restricted by planning guidelines for many years, all in a move to promote public transport and reduce carbon emissions. Rachel, I sympathise with your dlilemma. Jen, as a matter of interest, did you use the M&S ‘Smooth Move’ scheme for selling your previous home and if so what was your experience of that? Service charges cover the day-to-day running costs of developments, which we do not mark-up in any way, and we aim for these to be budgeted as accurately as possible. I see I wrote in October 2018 about problems with the ensuite shower trays fitted in 2016 in our then new Cornish seaside development, a McCarthy&Stone basic retirement place for the independent and active over 55s, albeit with a majority over 80 and a number needing carers, mobility scooters…… but a happy, lively place. Two weeks on, we’ve had several viewers but no offers. I told him I see a bigger story than the initial sales of the units which is the resale values of these properties. FUN READING THIS BUT HAVE TO FIND WHERE I CAN REGISTER A COMPLAINT. We were a bit peeved as our favoured estate agent suggested a higher market price for our old flat, but in the end we sold in time and it made it all fairly painless as the price for old and new flats more or less equated. My parents are downsizing – both got health problems – almost 80 – the dilemma is to go for MCS which I sorta feel uneasy about – I think they take away some independence and money, or a 2 bed bungalow which is also closer to me – their only daughter. Despite meetings with directors at MCCARTHY & Stone very little happened although she was eventually fired. (I know part-exchange will result in a sale at undervalue of about 10% they told me, so we don’t plan to do that.) You have two years to report problems and get them rectified). In autumn 2019 we noticed a hairline crack in that replacement shower tray. McCarthy & Stone shareholders have voted in favour of a takeover of the retirement housebuilder by private equity firm Lone Star. Many thanks for the comments on the advantages of living with McCarthy & Stone and the openness of the service charge process, we greatly appreciate you covering these aspects. They keep a commission on any future sales. how accommodating will the company be of his increasing medical needs? There is some hope of better future but it will take time. Their website is very substantial which you would expect from such a large organisation. But this is not a great debut for McCarthy and Stone Management Services …, Plenty of opportunities … to load the bill, Government will cave in to retirement house builders over ground rents, says Times, Realities of leasehold spelled out during the Housing Bill, Latest news from Leasehold Knowledge Partnership, Here is how to avoid dumping the cladding scandal bill on leaseholders or taxpayers, Government steps back from dumping all cladding costs on leaseholders, Grenfell is becoming our worst corporate scandal, says Dominic Lawson in Sunday Times, Do NOT buy a new property with ground rents, LKP calls for levy on developers and freeholders over cladding, Channel Four Dispatches exposes retirement leasehold. UK retirement housebuilder McCarthy & Stone has agreed to be taken over by a US private equity group in a cash deal worth £630m.. A new development in Bawtry, (near Doncaster), the two bed apartments are on the market for £290k to £350k. Our House Manager just likes to check people are ok if she hasn’t seen them for a while and needs to know if you are away for the night for fire safety reasons. Thanks Jen. (You learn a lot from other residents about how to handle things like that and our house manager is supportive. Returns are not guaranteed. – “Caveat emptor” As usual, no sighting of senior management, no letter of apology for the inconvenience from them, just a note from our lovely house manager. Dear joby We have been living in our M&S seaside development in the southwest for nearly 2 years now. But one often finds there is a lot of shared history once you start talking which is nice and we don’t have to go outside to find it – though being able to sit in the garden with friends in summer is a bonus. It is said that these profits came at the expense of the elderly and vulnerable that purchased properties in good faith, only to find they were stuck with excessive charges in the print of their leases. Some have got together to go walking, play Scrabble etc etc. Charges for MCCARTHY & STONE RETIREMENT LIFESTYLES LIMITED (06622231) More for MCCARTHY & STONE RETIREMENT LIFESTYLES LIMITED (06622231) Filter charges Filter charges Outstanding / part satisfied 152 charges registered 45 outstanding, 106 satisfied, 1 part satisfied Charge code 0662 2231 0132. I visited one briefly and thought it was a good idea that a couple, say, could be reassured that they could probably stay in their own flat together rather than one needing to go to a nursing home as problems arose, with the financial outlay that would entail. no comments here. Once my mother in law deteriorated the manager of the complex did all she could to chase her out- it was heartbreaking and very stressful. Our deal was one just for August 2016, with the end of M&S’s financial year, December, in view. There is little compassion for the residents or interest in their wellbeing. This is in the North as well! Malcolm. A spokesperson for McCarthy & Stone said: “Our policy is one of complete transparency around costs. Everyone looks out for everyone else. In August 2015, McC & S opened a new development on the east coast of England. A shameful discrimination driven purely by ignorance and money. The reality bears only a passing resemblance to the description from the sales agent There were lots of construction issues that blighted the development and the operation of the restaurant and associated facilities have been really poor. Did your mother have problems living there? The timescale for completion is 4 months and she has to sell her house. Jennifer, sounds awful. I hope your mother does make the move and settles well. Have obtained copy of draft lease of new-build apartment which I’ve reserved. They recommend we use their Smooth Move scheme for selling her house. “Retirement Living” which seems to be their original offer and is still the majority of their schemes. Log in, McCarthy and Stone proud of 35 years of ‘fairness and respect’, McCarthy and Stone gives Peverel the push at 25 retirement sites, Our ground rents are fair, says McCarthy and Stone (even though they go up to £600 and are for no service whatsoever), Goodbye, Peverel. MCCARTHY & STONE MANAGEMENT SERVICES LIMITED - Free company information from Companies House including registered office address, filing history, accounts, annual return, officers, charges, business activity Most new builds in the retirement market these days have a loop system installed in the communal lounge where it is most needed. I’m interested as my mother has recently moved into a Retirement Living development. The work was due to be finished by February 2019. However it is still early days and not all flats are sold yet. Wish us luck! This is a ludicrous situation and potentially isolates residents from family and friends, restricts residents’ mobility and is problematic for carers and emergency vehicles. It is a bonus too knowing we don’t have to mow lawns or to worry about strangers prowling outside. My Mum has just reserved off-plan in a M&S new-build ‘retirement’ development, and has her heart set on it. (you can see my earlier posts by clicking on “Retirement Housing” in the Topics list). Please check the costs and charges of your investment and our service before investing. Very helpful for elderly people looking for retirement homes and will help alot of people make the right choices. They provide a lot of the information you might need to consider purchasing one of their properties, but you do have to be fairly adept at searching the website to find it. There is no parking for visitors, carers, maintenance companies etc. Alot of elderly people prefere to live at home and as a result theamount of retirement homes available are increasing. Jennifer, I do hope your faulty showers have all been fixed now and you’re enjoying your new home? Do you agree with McCarthy & Stone’s star rating? I had a similar experience when I resold a property in a McCarthy and Stone scheme in Gloucester. I can’t speak for McArthy & Stone but any form of sheltered housing may not be a good long term option if your farther has dementia. Check out what 174 people have written so far, and share your own experience. Moving to a retirement flat may not always be the absolutely best deal but as your mum or dad gets older just think where would they best be for a few more years. My experience was very different. MCCARTHY & STONE MANAGEMENT SERVICES LIMITED is a real estate company based out of FOURTH FLOOR 100 HOLDENHURST ROAD, BOURNEMOUTH, United Kingdom. I am sure your mother will enjoy her flat and the company. After McCarthy & Stone were featured on Channel 4 Dispatches programme about their selling tactics, the producer of this programme contacted me for further comment. Now having second thoughts about proceeding with the purchase. By moving things around we have toughed it out but In the intervening week the the smell of the damp has given me breathing problems and nosebleeds. He/she must have had to deal with residents’ grumbles every day! Some friends of mine moved in at that time. Financial News Articles for Mccarthy & Stone Plc Ord 8P updated throughout the day. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Capable of listening and understanding colleagues. Made a visit to new development at Walmsley Place, Bishop’s Waltham some time ago. They want an answer before the end of the week. No Joby I haven’t visited any M&S schemes recently. Linlithgow development has NO parking for carers, doctors, nurses, prescription delivery, family or anyone else except 10 spaces for residents. This is a negative aspect of moving to a retirement property and should be included in the glossy and hyped selling materials. and service charges. In terms of value it’s absolutely disastrous – we have probably lost 25-30% after four years against a local market that has been rather buoyant. Thanks for the additional information. If I recall the 1 beds are about £7,500). Overall McCarthy and Stone still seem to be trading on their historical market leader position. Retirement Living Plus developments cost more as some staff live on site and they have extra facilities like a cafe, library/games room, perhaps hairdressers calling in and help you can buy/they provide as needed, whether domestic or caring. The cladding came off as soon as the scaffolding was up, it is yet to be replaced. However, the community is great, especially for single people. The cost of the new M&S flat is at least £100K maybe £150K more than an equivalent size ‘used’ flat. – I’ve already got cold feet. The retirement housebuilder has now launched a national in-house Resales division to support those wishing to buy or sell a McCarthy & Stone pre-owned retirement apartment. You may also pay an extra charge for a … The building was put up in a wet summer with much pressure on the sales force to sell. 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