The AskBart journal

Advice, guides & stories for families. – page 19

Clear, jargon-free guidance on choosing care, funding it and supporting someone you love — written by our independent care experts.

How part-exchange schemes for retirement property work.
Retirement Living

Part-Exchange Schemes for Retirement Property: How They Work (2026)

How retirement operators' part-exchange schemes work, what four large operators say about theirs, and the questions to ask before you accept an offer for your home.

CSClaire Saltwater
Four UK retirement operators compared side by side.
Retirement Living

McCarthy Stone, Churchill, Audley and Inspired Villages Compared (2026)

A neutral side-by-side of what four large UK retirement operators say they offer: types of home, care, renting or buying, fees and part exchange.

CSClaire Saltwater
Renting vs buying a retirement property, with the 2 months notice a tenant gives highlighted.
Retirement Living

Renting vs Buying a Retirement Property (2026)

Should you rent or buy a retirement flat? What each involves, your rights as a tenant in England, the costs to ask about, and how to rent sheltered housing from a council or housing association.

CSClaire Saltwater
How to sell a retirement flat, showing the five selling options covered in the guide.
Retirement Living

How to Sell a Retirement Flat: Options and Realistic Timescales (2026)

The five main ways to sell a retirement flat, from an estate agent to a cash buyer, with the cautions official guides give, what to check in the lease, and what affects how long it takes.

CSClaire Saltwater
Do retirement flats lose value? The header notes that no official figure for losses has been published.
Retirement Living

Do Retirement Flats Lose Value? What Affects Resale (2026)

Some retirement flats sell for less than was paid, and some hold their value. What official reports say, the factors that affect resale, and what to check before you buy.

CSClaire Saltwater
Deferred management fees explained, with the Law Commission example of a £30,000 fee highlighted.
Retirement Living

Deferred Management Fees: How Much Will You Really Pay? (2026)

A deferred management fee is a charge in some retirement leases, paid when you sell. How it is worked out, what it can cost, and what to ask before you buy.

CSClaire Saltwater
Retirement village fees explained, with the 1% to 30% range of event fees the Law Commission found in sample leases highlighted.
Retirement Living

Retirement Village Fees Explained: Service Charges, Event Fees and Exit Fees (2026)

What you pay in a retirement village: the purchase, the monthly service charge, extra services and the event or exit fee some leases charge when you sell.

CSClaire Saltwater
Retirement Living Glossary: Essential Terms from A to Z
Retirement Living

Retirement Living Glossary: Essential Terms from A to Z

Care and retirement housing come with their own language. This UK-focused glossary explains the terms you're most likely to meet, from housing types to funding and legal terms.

CSClaire Saltwater
multigenerational home design tips
Retirement Living

9 Stylish Ways to Design Your Home for Multigenerational Living In 2025

Get inspired to design your home for multigenerational living with these 9 essential tips that balance togetherness and privacy for every family member.

CSClaire Saltwater
What Not To Do In Retirement
Retirement Living

10 Top Mistakes to Avoid in Retirement for a Happier Life - An Expert Guide In 2025!

Retirement brings freedom, but also new risks to your money, health and sense of purpose. Here are the ten mistakes that trip people up most, and what to do instead.

CSClaire Saltwater
Should I Buy a Retirement Flat
Retirement Living

Should I Buy a Retirement Flat - Expert Guide For 2025!

Explore key tips for purchasing a retirement flat with this expert guide, covering costs, benefits, and what to look for in your ideal home.

CSClaire Saltwater
Thoughtful Packing
Retirement Living

An Expert Guide To Moving House In Later Life

Discover helpful tips for moving house in later life with this guide, focusing on planning, downsizing, and making the transition stress-free.

CSClaire Saltwater