10. Buying or Building a House without any Grant Assistance
10.2 Buying Sheltered or retirement housing
Sheltered or retirement housing is a development of purpose-built homes with certain amenities. A development could be a block or blocks of flats, or could consist of individual or linked bungalows. Some developments contain both. Amenities could include communal facilities such as a lounge, laundry and guest bedroom(s). In most developments there will be an emergency alarm system and or the services of a warden who may or may not be resident. The warden may be given a different name, such as social or residents' secretary. The main duties of a warden are to act as good neighbour, to summon help in an emergency and to ensure that the common areas are looked after. Provision will be made for the cleaning, maintenance and insurance of the communal parts. All the services and amenities will be paid for by a service charge.
INNIS is a housing advice service provided by Age Concern and funded by the Scottish Executive. INNIS offers free independent advice and information to older people on all issues relating to private sheltered and retirement housing in Scotland.
You can contact INNIS on 0131 220 6347 or by writing to:
Age Concern Scotland,
INNIS,
113 Rose Street,
Edinburgh
EH2 3DT.
