A guide to leasehold retirement living
Background to this guide
This guide is not meant to describe or give a full interpretation of the law, only the courts can do that. Nor does it cover every case. If you are in any doubt about your rights and duties then seek specific advice.
This guide is for older people living in retirement housing schemes who are leaseholders of their property. It is intended to provide a guide to the various procedures available to remedy problems with the management of the scheme. It also provides information on your legal rights as a leaseholder.
This guide has been produced as a joint publication by Age UK, LEASE and the ARHM.
- Age UK Advice is a free, confidential, national phone service for older people, their families, friends, carers and organisations that work for and on behalf of older people.
- LEASE provides free advice and guidance to leaseholders on all aspects of leasehold law, including problems with service charges, possession proceedings and rights to lease extension and freehold acquisition. LEASE is funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Welsh Government.
- ARHM, the Association of Retirement Housing Managers, is a trade body that represents organisations managing private retirement housing. It is committed to high standards and ethics in the management of private retirement housing and publishes a code of practice which is endorsed by the government.
This guide provides a general overview of leaseholders’ rights and remedies, it does not provide detailed advice. LEASE publishes a wide range of advice guides, covering most leasehold issues. The guides are all available on this website.
- Last updated:
- 9 January 2025
- Next review:
- 22 December 2026