Oap-eople power Friends take over care block
AGROUP of senior citizens have a lot to be smiling about after setting up their own company and taking control of their care services.
Residents of Rectory Court retirement block, in Bishop’s Cleeve, celebrated their newfound independence with a party.
With a combined age of 428, the five resident directors acquired the legal right to manage their own services, helped by two non-resident directors; whose mothers live at Rectory Court.
“It’s the best thing we ever did,” said resident Milly Carter.
Owners of leasehold flats at Rectory Court said they were becoming more and more disillusioned by the service charges and what they got in return.
Director Rosemary Nelson, 81, said: “The most exciting part of this is that we can now use local contractors.”
Lesley Whitehead, 85, another director agreed: “Previously we had people coming 50 miles to look at a job, charge us for the call out and go away again to fetch the parts.”
Resident Wally Collinson, 90, said: “Now we will have access to all the invoices and bills and change companies for better deals.”
Milly said: “It’s the best thing we ever did. You can call the local contractors any time.”
Another resident, Irene Beaver, said: “It’s super. Everything is a lot better. The local contractors are very nice.”
“The garden has certainly improved. The window cleaner sent us out a Christmas card.”
Taking matters into their own hands, the group of seniors formed a Right to Manage company of their own.
Together they have navigated the legal process to acquire the right to manage their own services.
Rectory Court partnered with Cherry Jones, from Home from Home Property Management, to manage their monthly services.
“Cherry talks common sense,” said director Muriel Adams, 88.
Cherry is a managing director at the national level, and is currently trying to push through leasehold reform through Parliament.
She said: “Retirement properties should offer peace of mind and value for money.
“We were able to half the service charge, while still maintaining services just by taking on local contractors and using local people to help take on the day-to-day running of the site.”
Director Marjorie Davis, 84, said: “We can already see the difference.
“We have been able to call in local contractors to fix faults.”
Non-resident director, Helen Davis, said: “RTM has given a real boost to Rectory Court.
“People feel that they are now in control of what happens to their building and environment.”
Leasehold is currently under review by the government. A select committee is currently assessing the evidence of thousands of homeowners who have become trapped by onerous leases and covenant.
Rectory Court said they would like to thank the National Leasehold Campaign and Leasehold Knowledge Partnership for all their support in the past 10 months. phillip.thompson@reachplc.com