The decision to downsize is a significant one. At Audley, we are always open and honest about our fees and services. There are many options when it comes to retirement living. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about our retirement villages to help you on your journey. The team is at the end of the phone should you have further questions.
About Audley retirement villages
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What is an Audley retirement village?
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An Audley retirement village is a purpose-built beautiful and secure collection of houses, cottages and apartments, which are available to buy if you are over 55. In the centre of an Audley retirement village there is a centrepiece building, which houses the facilities of the Audley Club, of which you are automatically a member. The building may be a restored Tudor hall, a rebuilt Georgian manor or a refurbished Victorian villa with facilities including a restaurant, bar bistro, lounge, a health and wellbeing centre, treatment rooms and a swimming pool. It is also from here that we run the estate, maintain the grounds and properties and provide the services you require. Many of these restored, historic buildings have the added pleasure of containing exclusive apartments and penthouses that are available to buy.
* Facilities vary per village, please speak to your Audley sales team to learn more about the Audley Club.
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How big is an Audley retirement village?
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Audley retirement villages vary in size, but is most commonly made up of about 100 retirement properties.
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Can I use the facilities of other Audley retirement villages?
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Yes, you can use all the Audley Club facilities, including the restaurant, at any Audley retirement village as little or as much as you like.
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Can my friends and family use the facilities at the Audley Club?
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Your visitors are most welcome to use any facilities within your village.
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Is there anywhere for my friends and family to stay when they visit me?
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Our properties are spacious and have up to three bedrooms. If you think you’ll need more spare rooms when guests are visiting, we have guest suites available at all of the Audley retirement villages. There is a modest charge for using these rooms.
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Are Audley retirement villages age exclusive?
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Yes, as a general rule if you're under 55, you'll have to wait to move into an Audley retirement village.
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Is there a shop in an Audley retirement village?
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No, but essential supplies are kept on site in case of emergencies. And we can provide help with shopping locally or online.
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Who is available at night?
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A Night Porter will be on duty throughout the night. They will regularly patrol the village and will also carry out the night-time rubbish collection service. There is also the availability of 24-hour care.
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Do your villages have links with the local community?
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Indeed they do. And they contribute to the local community also. We recruit locally, we use local suppliers wherever possible and we encourage local people to visit and use the Audley Club facilities. Visitors are always welcome because they add to the country house atmosphere and the sense of the community.
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Who manages an Audley retirement village?
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Every Audley village is managed by our own in-house specialist team - to ensure continuity and consistency. A fully-trained and experienced General Manager oversees the day-to-day running of operations and co-ordinates a dedicated team which provides services such as catering, property maintenance, cleaning and security.
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What is an ARCO Integrated Retirement Community?
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Integrated Retirement Communities offer people the opportunity to live independently in their own home as part of a wider community. Lifestyle, wellbeing and care services are available to support people’s independence and aspirations. The Associated Retirement Community Operators (ARCO) says these communities are the fast-emerging ‘lifestyle option’ for older people, sitting between ‘sheltered housing’ where minimal support is provided, and ‘care’ or ‘nursing’ homes, which are increasingly focussed on supporting people with higher levels of care needs. Audley Villages is an ARCO approved operator of Integrated Retirement Communities. Find out more here: https://www.arcouk.org or download the ARCO IRC guide here (PDF).
Our helpful team members aren't just experts in property and retirement living, they're also experienced in putting together memorable events which showcase the lifestyle, the setting, and what a wonderful place Audley is to live.
What to expect when I visit
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What to expect when I book a visit
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For many people who visit an Audley village - either as a private appointment and tour or as an attendee at one of our events - it is their first time visiting a luxury retirement village.
For a private appointment
Upon arrival you'll be greeted by the reception team and asked to check in. If you travelled by car, the sales team may have reserved a parking space for your visit and you'll be invited to enter your number plate at reception. From there, the team will introduce you to your host for the visit. This is more than likely the member of the sales team you have been speaking to in the run up to your appointment. The team will give you the guided tour of the village at your own pace, and sit with you to talk through your options and answer any questions you have. You'll be offered complimentary coffee/tea and cake during your visit and invited to stay for lunch or afternoon tea if you have a voucher. There is no obligation to commit to anything on the day. Our non-pushy teams pride themselves on offering an informative and enjoyable visit experience without the hard sell. Our 800 reviews on Trustpilot are testament to that.
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When attending an event
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At Audley we offer an array of events, ranging from West End performances to Downsizing advice, and wellbeing classes to art exhibitions.
Upon arrival at a village event, you'll be welcomed by the team and escorted through to the bistro or main restaurant where the event is being held. From there you will be taken care of by the friendly team and will have an opportunity to ask the sales team any questions either during or after the performance or event.
About your Audley home
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Do I own my own home?
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Yes. Each property in an Audley retirement village is sold on a long-leasehold basis, of up to 250 years. It is your home, held as your own asset - and, of course, you are free to sell at any stage, on the open market. So you are able to enjoy the benefits of a continued investment in a property of your own.
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How does a leasehold work?
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If you own the freehold of a property you own everything from the ground the property sits on to the air above it in perpetuity. If you own a leasehold property you own a clearly-defined extent, often excluding the structure of the building. You own the leasehold interest for a fixed term of years following which, if the lease is not extended, the property will revert to the freehold owner.
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What type of Audley property can I buy?
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We have apartments, penthouses, cottages and houses to choose from. Many of the available properties are restored heritage buildings and outbuildings. We also build a number of new-build properties, designed in keeping with the grounds and architecture of the setting.
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Can I bring my pet?
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Yes, all well behaved pets are welcome, though we do ask that you let us know before you move in. Pets are also welcome in rented properties in London and Henley-on-Thames.
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Do I stay in control of my household bills?
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You are responsible for paying your own utility bills, council tax and television licence fee as well as arranging your contents and personal belongings insurance.
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Can I make improvements or changes to my house?
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Yes, but we do ask that you to discuss the proposed changes with the Village Manager of the village and agree what it is you plan to do.
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Will my home be looked after if I am away?
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You can go on holiday or visit your relatives for as long as you please, knowing that your home is looked after. All properties are fitted with an intruder and smoke alarm linked to the central monitoring system. There are also closed-circuit television cameras around the estate. If you wish, we can also inspect your home while you are away and make any arrangements for your return, including opening up and stocking your fridge.
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Will I be able to stay in my home as long as I choose?
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The whole ethos of Audley is to provide luxury accommodation for you as an active, independent person, while also catering for whatever needs you may have in the future. Most of us would like to believe we can manage all of the challenges that come with growing older but, should you ever require it, we can discreetly adapt both your home and the range of services we provide.
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Can I get domestic help or home care?
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Yes, via Audley Care. Audley Care provides expert help for a range of domestic and general housekeeping tasks. Our team is always available to lend a hand, be it for a few days or only on specific occasions. You’re in complete control — and you’ll only pay for the services you use.
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Can you help me to sell my home if I want to in the future?
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Yes. When you come to sell your home, our staff will ensure every effort is made to complete the sale as quickly and as efficiently as possible. On all resales Audley will charge a sales administration fee of 1% of the greater of the achieved market price or agreed valuation. This covers the costs that Audley incurs in administering sales and explaining the Audley retirement living concept to prospective buyers. If you instruct Audley to also market your property to our database and waiting lists, an additional fee of 2% of the sales value is charged. These fees can vary on some leases so please speak to your sales advisor to confirm.
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Will my Audley property retain its value?
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Audley’s model means we not only build and develop our villages, we also run them. This includes all the facilities that our owners and members of the local community are able to enjoy such as the Audley Club, and it’s this approach which sets our villages apart from the market. We are in full control of all aspects of the property, which is different to many other providers, who merely develop the villages or offer far fewer services to owners.
About Audley fees
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What is the monthly management fee?
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The monthly management fee covers all the ongoing costs of running the village and the expense of any major works required. It will be invoiced to you every month and you can pay it either by direct debit, cheque or in cash.
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What is included in my monthly management fee?
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Your monthly management fee covers ongoing costs such as maintaining the exterior of your home, your building insurance, your Audley Club Membership, providing discreet but effective security and the basic care package, maintaining the village and the village grounds, as well as fees associated with managing and operating Audley Court Ltd. You can see the full list of services included here.
Additionally at some point in the future, expensive structural repairs or improvements will become necessary, for instance, resurfacing roadways and pathways or reroofing properties. See our fees page for a full list of the services covered by the fees.
In addition to everything included in the monthly management fee, a comprehensive range of additional goods and services is offered at each Audley village should you wish to take advantage of them. These vary from village to village and include things such as restaurant services, drinks, hairdressing, shopping, laundry, housekeeping etc. For your convenience, the cost of these additional services is added to your monthly invoice if you use them.
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Will my monthly management fee ever increase?
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The management fee increases only once a year, on 1st March. This is based upon the previous December retail price index % figure supplied by the ONS or in line with the Relevant Annual Earnings index**, whichever is the highest. If we are unable to provide a service covered by the charge we would make alternative arrangements.
** The Relevant Annual Earnings index is represented by the annual percentage increase (if any) in median annual gross pay for care assistants and home carers (SOC 6135) and senior care workers (SOC 6136) as set out in Table 14.7a of the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) as published by the Office of National Statistics (or any successor publishing body) in the preceding year.
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How much do I pay?
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The monthly fee varies a little from one Audley village to another, depending on the location. To find out more about specific costs in one of our Audley villages, please contact us.
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What is the deferred management charge?
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The deferred management will cost you nothing whilst you are living in an Audley retirement village. It's only payable if and when you come to sell your home. You pay the deferred management charge by contributing a small percentage of the sale price or value of your home upon selling. The deferred management charge varies per village, please contact the sales team for more information.
