Retirement Housing Residents in Wales to Benefit from New Code of Practice

Goldsborough Estates, which is part of the Bupa Group and specialises in the management of private retirement and assisted living properties has welcomed a new Code of Practice specifically developed for the management of private retirement and sheltered housing in Wales. Initiated by the Association of Retirement Housing Managers (ARHM), in consultation with the Welsh Assembly, the code was officially launched by Mrs Jocelyn Davies AM, Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration at an event staged at the Senedd, National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff Bay. Simon Crewe, Managing Director of Bupa’s retirement housing business in the UK – Goldsborough Estates - was pleased to join Jocelyn Davies AM at the launch of the new Code and will be arranging to acquire copies for the developments that Goldsborough Estates manages in Wales. The ARHM Code aims to promote best practice in the provision of management services in retirement housing, setting out clearly what must be provided by law and what else needs to be provided as good practice, irrespective of whether these services are provided by private companies or housing associations. As such the new ARHM Code will be a useful resource for both property managers and leaseholders alike and a helpful source of information for prospective purchasers of retirement housing when deciding on the right housing options for them. The ARHM Code for Wales draws its content and format from the Code for Private and Leasehold Retirement Property in England introduced in 2006, yet reflects the different legal status and position of residents in Wales. The Code of Practice is the first to be approved by the Welsh Assembly Government and incorporates major improvements in leaseholder's rights arising from the 2002 Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act. Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration, Jocelyn Davies AM, said: “I am very pleased to give my support to the Code which will make a very useful contribution to maintaining high standards in the sector. The increasing role that Retirement Housing has to play in meeting housing need is very important and helps older people to maintain their independence while enjoying the security of knowing that help is at hand if necessary. “I am committed to ensuring older people have a wide range of high quality housing options available to them and private retirement housing is one option that many older people could choose. Knowing that there is a Code which sets out standards they can expect if they take this option will provide further reassurance.”