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Retirement developments, sheltered housing and extra care: what they are, what they cost and the terms to understand before you buy or rent.

In short: retirement living means homes built for older people, from retirement flats and sheltered housing to extra care housing and retirement villages with care on site. You can usually buy, rent or part-buy. Before you commit, ask for every cost in writing, including the service charge and any fee due when you sell, and find out how long similar homes have taken to sell.

This guide explains the main types of retirement housing and what to check, with links to our detailed guides on each part.

The main types of retirement housing

  • Retirement flats and sheltered housing: flats or bungalows for older people, usually with a minimum age, a scheme manager, an emergency alarm and shared areas such as a lounge and garden. Care is not usually provided.
  • Extra care housing (sometimes called assisted living): your own front door, with care staff on site to give personal care when you need it, and often a restaurant and activities.
  • Retirement villages: larger developments with facilities such as a restaurant, gym, shop or club, and often care available on site.
  • Retirement homes: a term used for different kinds of retirement housing, so ask exactly what is included.

Is it right for you?

Retirement housing can mean a smaller, easier home, company, security and help nearby, while keeping your independence. It is not a care home: if someone needs nursing care or help around the clock, a care home may be the better choice. Think about what care you might need in future, and whether the development can provide it.

Buying, renting and the costs

Most retirement properties are sold leasehold. As well as the price, you will usually pay a service charge for the building, the scheme manager and shared areas. Some developments, especially retirement villages, charge an event fee (also called an exit or deferred management fee) when you sell or sublet. Ask for all the costs in writing, including how the service charge has changed in recent years, and read the lease with a solicitor.

Only people who meet the age rules can buy, so there are fewer potential buyers than for other homes. Ask the developer or local agents how long similar homes have taken to sell, and what they sold for.

Protection and standards

Some operators of retirement communities belong to ARCO, the Associated Retirement Community Operators, whose members follow a consumer code. Ask whether an operator is a member, check ARCO's list of members, and ask what happens if you have a complaint.

Where to live

Being near family, friends, transport, shops and a GP matters more as we get older. Our location pages show retirement developments in each area.

Official information

Last reviewed 9 October 2026 by the AskBart editorial team. Figures and thresholds are checked against the sources on the methodology page when a hub is updated.

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