I* frequently hear on the radio or read in newsletters that the proportion of older people who will be renting in the future is growing and there are questions about how and where they will live. This reminded me of an advert I saw in the free daily paper – Metro – while I was in the UK recently.
This advertised a new site for retiree rental living, acquired by a firm called Birchgrove and located on the Hampton Court Estate. The proposed development is planned to provide 78 self-contained one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, with extensive communal facilities including a restaurant, club room, licensed bar, library and landscaped gardens. This will be the eighth site in Birchgrove’s portfolio of retirement communities across south-east England. The firm sees its approach as “the missing piece in the housing puzzle, not right for all, but perfect for some.” They claim to offer “the benefits of independent living without the stress and complications of owning a house”.
Inclusive rent
The Birchgrove rental model incorporates payment for utility costs – electricity, heating and water, phone and Wi-Fi – and many of the costs that go along with homeownership, such as housekeeping, building insurance, maintenance, and security, plus some costs associated with Communal living such as communal cleaning, handyman services and an hour’s domestic service per week .
Additional costs (in the UK context) are council tax, TV license, contents insurance, food (weekly meal plans are available from the restaurant to help plan food costs), outings or special events.
Communal facilities (similar to some NZ retirement villages) include: Club room, Library, Bar, Salon/Spa, Digital telecare in each apartment, General Manager and 24hr staff presence and concierge, Landscaped gardens and greenhouse. There is also a Guest Suite and a courtesy vehicle – but these may require additional charges.
Benefits from Birchgrove-style renting
For the purposes of this article these are the advantages emphasised by Birchgrove in their advertising. Many relate to the choice of moving into rental accommodation (or between rentals). The process involves free access to an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) who can give advice on the financial options available in funding a move. There are also retirement advisors to help answer questions about life at Birchgrove and help to decide if it is right for the enquirer.
Moving into rental accommodation avoids the cost of a new house purchase, such as legal conveyancing and estate agent fees. It is suggested that help provided by assisted living can prolong independence in later life. Apartments are specially designed with this in mind, offering wheelchair access, walk-in showers special switches, taps, plugs and so on.
The Birchgrove tenancy agreement entitles renters to stay in their home for life, providing security of tenure. If they wish to leave, they only need two months’ notice and there is no exit fee. There are also no service charges. After a joining fee, (which provides services to assist a move) the only payment is the inclusive rent. Well-behaved pets are welcome.
There is a 24-hour concierge to provide security. And each apartment room has direct communication to a 24-hour emergency call service.
Of course, I am quoting from Birchgrove advertising, and they are trying to boost their offerings. But attributes inherent in this assisted living rental model could be valuable in the NZ context, where intensification is being encouraged in urban areas, and apartment living is a growing option, with special attractions for older people, such as no need for gardening, central city access and opportunities for social contact. This may well be an attractive option for developers. It also adds to the retirement village option.
For more information see https://www.birchgrove.life/
Judith Davey, 8 November 2023
*Article by Judith Davey. The views expressed are her own and do not necessarily represent the views of Age Concern Wellington Region.