Frequently asked questions
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What is the difference between service charge and management charge?
The Service Charge is what each Owner pays per annum to enable all the communal costs of the development to be met. This will include the Lodge Manager’s salary, window cleaning, gardening, electricity for communal areas etc. An explanation of each element of the Service Charge is available.
The Management Charge is an element of the Service Charge and relates to the services delivered by MMS.
What are the costs involved if I was to sell my apartment?
Apart from restriction on age and independence, you are free to sell the apartment on the open market like any other home. Subject to any personal financial arrangements, you have full equity and ownership of the property. However, a 1% contribution is required for the contingency fund
A 1% transfer fee is normally charged, however is not applicable on any Churchill Retirement Living constructed apartments.
Who pays the Service Charges on unsold apartments?
Service charges are collected from the completion of the first sold unit. It is the landlord/developer who has to pay the service charges for the unsold apartments and payments from the landlord will continue until the apartment is sold.
Why do 2 bed apartments pay more than 1 bed apartments for service charges?
There are many ways of apportioning service charges from multi dwelling units. This could be based on the area of the apartment, an equal amount or with a variable amount for 1 and 2 bed apartments.
It is not unusual for the industry to have a variance in the service charges for 1 and 2 bed apartments and it is this method that we have chosen as being the fairest.
How do you justify the rent you charge on the Lodge Managers apartment?
The Lodge Manager is the key person in ensuring a development runs smoothly and all the Owners get the maximum pleasure out of their retirement. In some cases it is considered necessary to provide a live in Lodge Manager due to the size of the development. In these instances they are provided with a 2 bedroom apartment to live-in and this is then rented by the landlord to the development.
Does MMS comply with any other national standards for good management?
Yes, MMS is a member of the Association of Retirement Housing Managers (ARHM) which has its own Code of Practice for the management of private retirement housing.
This code received endorsement by the Government in January 1996 as the standard for the management of all private retirement housing.
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