Inherited retirement flat leaves family facing mounting costs

Charlotte says she has struggled to sell her late mother’s retirement flat while service charges continue. The case has renewed calls for greater transparency and reform across the sector.

A flat that seemed ideal

Carol’s move into a retirement flat appeared to suit her needs. The ITV report says she had multiple sclerosis and that the property offered an on-site restaurant, help when needed and cleaning support. After Carol died in May last year, her daughter Charlotte inherited the flat. She says the costs have made it difficult to move forward while she is also grieving.

Charges continue after death

Charlotte says she has been unable to sell the property. She points to a growing number of new retirement homes and buyers being put off by rising ground rents. The transcript puts the service-charge bill at £10,000 for an empty flat, with charges covering cleaning, heating, water, maintenance and staffing. [CHECK: Confirm the exact amount and period covered; the transcript wording is unclear.]

Charlotte describes the personal toll: “I can't move on. I can't I can't put closure to losing my mom because every day I need to to fight this this battle.” The interview identifies not only service charges but also deferment or exit fees, which may require a percentage of the sale price. It says service charges can be uncapped and may come as a shock when a family is trying to sell an empty property.

HomeOwners Alliance spokesperson Paula Higgins calls for reform, regulation and greater transparency, including housing providers taking responsibility when properties are sold. The Retirement Housing Group, which represents the sector, told ITV News: “The service charge increase reflects inflation and their members support full transparency with customers and their families.” It also said: “These costs remain payable throughout the time someone owns the property, as is the case with all types of housing where a service charge applies.”

What families can ask

Solicitors in Northampton advise families to contact the retirement home company to discuss what can be done. The report says a provider might agree to defer some or all payments until the property is sold. Moving into the flat may also be an option, but some leases restrict occupation by anyone under 55.

The government says it is working on changes to how retirement housing operates, with a bill aimed at reforming home-ownership rights during Parliament later this year, according to the report. Charlotte says she plans to keep sharing other people’s experiences: “It sickens me that companies are getting away with doing that. And that's why I'm going to continue with this. I'm going to continue hearing other people's stories and putting a stop to this awful thing that's going on right in front of our faces.”

The report describes Charlotte as one of hundreds dealing with retirement properties they did not buy and say they cannot afford, live in or sell. [CHECK: Confirm the £10,000 figure and the “hundreds” description against the original report before publication.]