FAQs

Frequently asked questions about your purchase (retirement villages)

1. What are the arrangements for TV aerials and digital/satellite TV?

The TV aerial is communal and satellite TV is available. Residents should make their own arrangements for their TV contract and equipment.

2. Building insurance is included as part of the Community Fee. What about home contents?

Residents will need to organise their own home contents insurance.

3. How often will the external decoration be maintained?

There will be a rolling programme of maintenance work over a fixed period.

4. Can someone else buy an apartment for me/us?

The charity wishes to keep its dealings with residents as simple as possible so the owner and the occupier of each apartment should be one and the same person or couple. Third parties such as family members may wish to assist potential residents with the purchase of their apartment, but this should be a matter between the third party and the resident. Whether this is done by way of a gift or a loan or some alternative arrangement will be for each individual to decide, based on their own circumstances.

5. How long do I/we have in which to complete my/our purchase?

From the date you make a reservation, we usually expect new residents to be able to complete their purchase and begin paying their service charge within three months. For some people, however, their related sale will take longer than this, and the Trust has established a separate arrangement whereby residents are able to rent the apartment and convert over to the full capital payment at any stage during this time, depending on when their related sale completes.

6. Do I pay for my own utilities and council tax?

Yes. Residents will be responsible for their own bills in the same way they would be in their own homes now.

7. Do I/we need to instruct a solicitor in relation to my/our purchase?

Yes. Independent legal advice is essential for the purchase of a lease at St Monica Trust. If a purchaser has a genuine reason for not wishing to instruct a solicitor, the Trust may agree to this, provided that the prospective resident undertakes to cover any additional legal costs accrued as a result of this.

8. Do I/we pay stamp duty?

Yes. Please note that the way Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is calculated changed on 4 December 2014. Visit www.gov.uk/stampduty-land-tax-rates for further information.

9. What services are offered by the care team to residents?

We can arrange for home help, personal care and support services to be brought to you in your own home. The care team will provide you with a programme of care for as long as you need it. If you have a short term need, this can quickly be accommodated, as can more prolonged care needs where a more permanent arrangement would be of most benefit. Prices for these services start from £23.90 per hour (shorter daytime visits of 30 or 45 mins can also be arranged).

10. How is care at home arranged?

You will need to request a care plan from the Domiciliary Care Team, who will organise for an assessment to be carried out. The care plan will then be discussed with you (and anyone else you would like to be involved). The cost of your care plan will also need to be agreed before a programme is delivered.

Applicable to The Chocolate Quarter

1. How much does it cost?

Purchasers at The Chocolate Quarter pay three fees:

1. A Capital Payment for the purchase of the lease.

2. An ongoing Annual Service charge which covers the upkeep and maintenance of the facilities and the provision of various services.

3. A Surrender Fee (also known as a ‘deferred’, or ‘event fee’) when the property is surrendered.

2. Do I pay for my own utilities, council tax and stamp duty?

Residents at The Chocolate Quarter will pay for their own utilities and council tax in the same way they would do in their own home. There will also be Stamp Duty Land Tax (applied at the point of completion) which is calculated on a sliding scale. Your solicitor will be able to provide you with further information or you can visit the Gov.uk website for more information at: www.gov.uk/stamp-duty-land-tax.

3. Can someone else buy for me/us?

The charity wishes to keep its dealings with residents as simple as possible so the owner and the occupier of each apartment should be one and the same person or couple. Third parties such as family members may wish to assist potential residents with the purchase of their apartment, but this should be a matter between the third party and the resident. Whether this is done by way of a gift or a loan or some alternative arrangement will be for each individual to decide, based on their own circumstances.

4. Why do I need to instruct a solicitor?

A solicitor must be engaged to conduct the necessary conveyance as per a normal property purchase.

5. Building insurance is included as part of the service charge. What about home contents?

Residents are required as part of their obligations under the terms of the lease to arrange their own contents insurance. This needs to include an alternative accommodation clause which would cover you in the unlikely event of having to move out of your apartment at The Chocolate Quarter for any period of time.

6. Which parts of The Chocolate Quarter are open to non-resident access?

You will no doubt be aware of our commitment to ensuring The Chocolate Quarter maintains a high profile role in community life within the wider Keynsham area. For this reason there are areas of the ground floor that are open to non-residents including the restaurants, cinema, health spa and swimming pool, hairdressers/barbers, nail bar and craft studio. Individuals who come into The Chocolate Quarter to use our facilities will pay non-resident rates for doing so and the income we receive will go towards the operating costs of the site.