About sheltered housing

Sheltered housing is specially designed for older residents. There are many different types of sheltered housing scheme, but most have a scheme manager (or warden) and provide 24-hour emergency assistance through an alarm system.

Accommodation is self-contained, but there are usually some areas that everyone can use, such as a common room or lounge. Many schemes run social events for residents. Sheltered housing might appeal to you if you want to live independently, perhaps in a smaller and easier to manage home, but like the idea of having someone to call on in an emergency.

The role of the scheme manager varies widely, but he or she doesn't usually provide regular care or help with cooking and housework. If you need this sort of help, you can apply for services such as home care or meals on wheels from social services (your social work department in Scotland; or your health and social services trust in Northern Ireland). The scheme manager may be able to help you to arrange the help you need, or suggest who you should contact.

To cover the costs of running the sheltered housing scheme, residents pay a service charge. The amount you have to pay will vary, so always ask about the service charge if you are interested in a scheme. It is important to find out exactly what the service charge covers, and what it does not include.

For detailed information see our section on Sheltered Housing.

Renting sheltered housing

Most sheltered housing for rent is provided by local councils and by housing associations.

To find out about local council sheltered housing, contact the housing department at your local council (or your local housing executive in Northern Ireland). If you qualify to apply, you will be sent an application form to fill in. There is often a waiting list, so ask how long you might have to wait and whether your application will be given priority.

Each local council has its own allocation policy which explains how it decides who gets offered council housing. Many housing departments will give you a higher place on the waiting list if you have health problems, or if your current house in unsuitable in some way. Others will only offer housing to people who have lived in the council's area for a particular length of time.

How long you have to wait will often depend on how flexible you are. If you are only prepared to consider one particular area or type of property then you will probably have longer to wait than if you will look at whatever is available. Again, talk to your local housing department so that they know what sort of housing you are willing to consider.

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Housing associations often have an agreement with the local council and will offer housing to people already on the council's register. In some areas the local council and a several housing associations operate joint waiting lists. Ask your local council if they work in this way.

You may also be able to apply directly to a housing association. Your local housing department will be able to give you a list of schemes in your area. Elderly Accommodation Council can provide details of housing associations in any area you ask for; and your local Citizens Advice Bureau or housing advice centre should also have details. Contact each housing association to find out what is available and what their rules are for working out who they can offer housing to.

For more information see our section on Sheltered Housing.

Buying sheltered housing
Sheltered housing for sale is nearly always built by private developers. For your own protection, only buy from a builder who is registered with the National House Building Council (NHBC), and is covered by its sheltered housing code.

Once all the properties have been sold, the scheme is usually run by a separate management group, which employs the scheme manager and organises maintenance and other services. The quality of the service provided by the management company can have a great effect on a scheme; check if they adhere to a code of practice.

Be sure to get advice from a solicitor, or from your bank or building society, before going ahead with the purchase. It is essential that you get expert financial and legal advice, not only on buying the property, but also on the terms of the lease, the service charge and the running costs.

Elderly Accommodation Council can provide details of private sheltered housing developments in any area you ask for.

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Purchasing schemes

If you are a homeowner and want to move into sheltered accommodation, but have problems because the money you'll get when selling your present home won't cover the cost of buying somewhere new, what can you do?

This is a difficult situation. You could ask about renting sheltered housing but whether you will be offered accommodation depends very much on the policies of the council or housing associations in your area. There are a few other things you can look into if you find yourself in this situation, but it is important to realise that not all of these options are widely available.

• Some housing associations run shared ownership schemes, which involve part-buying and part-renting a property.
• A few private companies run Life Interest Plans, which allow you to buy the right to live in a property for the rest of your life, often for well below the normal market price of the property.
• Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC) can provide details of housing association schemes in any area you ask for.

Elderly Accommodation Counsel can tell you if there are any schemes like this in your area, and who runs them.

If you are thinking about either of these options it is vital to get legal advice before signing any agreement.

Extra care and close care sheltered housing

Some housing authorities, voluntary organisations, local authorities and commercial companies offer very sheltered or extra care housing. These schemes provide meals and help with domestic tasks and personal care for people who are less able to manage. Close care housing is usually located in the grounds of a care home, with staff from the home providing extra care and assistance. Elderly Accommodation Counsel can give you details of any schemes like these in your area.

Abbeyfield societies are voluntary organisations that run supported sheltered housing in family-style households with 8-12 residents. Supervised by a house manager, the schemes provide two cooked meals a day. Although most Abberyfield residents are tenants, there are still some societies that use licenses; this means that the tenure of residents is less secure. If you're interested in an Abbeyfield scheme, ask if this is the case; and get advice from a solicitor or Citizens Advice Bureau before making a decision to move in.

For tips on making a decision, and a list of questions you should ask before you rent or buy, see our section on Sheltered Housing.