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FAQs

Retirement Living

Q. Can anyone live at Watermead View?

A. No, Watermead View apartments are reserved exclusively for those aged 60+ and, in the case of couples, at least one householder must be at least 60.

Q. Is Watermead View a sheltered housing development?

A. No, Watermead View offers older people the opportunity to live independently within their own private apartments, set within a supportive new retirement community. Additional help and support services must be privately arranged. For your reassurance, or for couples with different health and care needs, Watermead Rose, a MACC Care home is in the adjacent building.

Buying an Apartment

Q. What is the Easy Mover package?

A. Simply reserve the apartment of your choice and we will give you eight weeks & help you sell your current home through our expert agents, Connells, and partially cover their fees of up to £2,000. We call this the Easy Mover package. Speak to Connells on 0116 497 9773 to find out more.

Q. Is there a reservation fee?

A. Yes – a reservation fee of £1,000 secures your chosen apartment.

Q. Is my reservation time limited?

A. Yes. If you utilise our Easy Mover package we give you eight weeks to find a buyer. Once sold and you have a full chain, to protect all, we aim at exchange within 28 days of a reservation for those who have sold their current homes either independently or through our Easy Mover Package.

Q. Under what circumstances would you refund my reservation fee?

A. We can offer a partial refund of 50 per cent of your reservation fee if you change your mind for any reason after a sale is agreed on your property, before exchange, unless you are an Easy Mover customer where you would be entitled to a full refund if Connells fails to find a buyer for your current property within 8 weeks and you no longer wish to proceed.

Q. Is shared ownership an option with MACC Retirement?

A. No. Buyers must purchase 100%.

Q. Do you rent any apartments out?

A. No. All apartments will be owner-occupied.

Q. Can I rent my apartment out?

A. No, all apartments must be owner-occupied.

Q. Could my family buy an apartment for me?

A. Yes, providing the proposed main resident, you, meet current admission criteria.

Q. What happens when I want to sell my apartment?

A. You are free to use any agent you wish to assist you in the sale of your property, you may sell it yourself or Connells can assist you with the property sale for a fee of 2 per cent of the sale price, bearing in mind we may often have waiting lists of ready buyers.

Q. Do you charge an event or exit fee when I sell?

A. No. Unlike many retirement living providers we don’t penalise you or your estate and beneficiaries by charging a percentage of the sale price of your apartment as an event or exit fee.

Q. What guarantees does MACC Retirement give on its properties?

A. MACC Retirement provides a 10-year structural warranty with Global Home Warranties Ltd.

Buyers of new build homes are protected under the Consumer Code for New Homes – visit www.consumercodefornewhomes.com for details.

Watermead View

Q. Do you allow pets?

A. Yes, pets are allowed at Watermead View.

Q. Is there car parking?

A. Yes, a designated space, each with its own electric charging point in a secure, underground car park, comes with each apartment. There is also a few barrier-controlled guest parking.

Q. Do I need a car to live at Watermead View?

A. No. There are local shops and amenities nearby and the development is well served by local transport. A bus ride to Leicester city centre takes less than quarter of an hour.

Q. Is there anywhere to keep my electric scooter?

A. Yes, electric scooters can be kept in the secure parking area.

Q. Is there a guest suite?

A. No, there is no guest suite at Watermead View but friends or family are free to stay in your apartment with you, for as long as you like, as it is your own home.

Q. Can I have family or friends to stay in my own apartment and for how long?

A. Yes, it is your own home, and they may stay as long as you wish.

Q. Can I make alterations to my home?

A. Non-structural alterations can be made with the permission of the landlord, however, structural alterations cannot be made.

Q. Can I smoke in my own apartment?

A. Yes, but not in any communal areas, inside or out.

Service Charge

Q. Why do I have to pay a service charge?

A. There are many different costs involved with running and maintaining a building with shared facilities and it is typical for residents to contribute to the upkeep of their environment through a service charge fee. But when these costs are divided among a number of people they become surprisingly affordable.

Q. What does the service charge cover?

A. A full breakdown is available from the management company and our agents Connells but they include:

  • Manager and reception desk cover during office hours for security and support
  • Maintenance of and utilities to all communal areas inside and out including cleaning, heating and repairs
  • Maintenance of safety and security features such as intruder alarms, door entry systems, cameras, sprinklers and other fire protection, regular water safety testing
  • Water rates
  • Sewerage rates
  • Buildings insurance

Q. How often do I pay my service charge?

A. For simplicity and certainty, residents pay just one monthly service charge, in advance.

Q. How much profit does MACC Retirement make money out of my service charge?

A. None, the service charge is set up in the residents’ interests and run by a management company on a not-for-profit basis – your costs are the same as our costs, we simply recharge them with no margin. Detailed budgets are available to residents for total transparency.

Q. How is my service charge calculated?

A. Service charges are calculated based on the usable floor areas of each apartment.

Q. Will my service charge change?

A. The service charge will only vary to reflect the costs associated with upkeep and maintenance of the development and therefore will likely rise in line with the Retail Price Index. The budget will be reviewed on an annual basis and we will give a months’ notice of any change in the amount payable.

Q. Does my service charge include Council Tax?

A. No. Talk to Connells for details of council tax bandings on the apartment you are interested in.

Q. Do I pay ground rent?

A. Yes, ground rent costs £250 per year.

Q. How long is the lease?

A. The lease is 250 years.

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