Making the move to Denham Garden Village

Moving house can be both exciting and challenging at the same time. To ensure the process of moving to Denham Garden Village is as easy as possible, we have compiled the following helpful information for new residents.

For many people, moving to a retirement village can help to get the most out of life - offering independence, security, like-minded neighbours and a vibrant community all in one place.

Choosing a retirement property is a big decision and we encourage you to seek independent advice and discuss your options with your family and your legal advisers in detail. 

Making the move

Many people wonder about the changes in lifestyle that moving to a retirement village will bring. Life in a retirement village can be as action-packed or laid-back as you like, and while it can present a wealth of new opportunities, there is no need for you to change your usual activities or routines at all.

Retirement villages provide you with an abundance of opportunities to take up new activities and make new friends, or simply provide new venues for an already busy social life. At Denham Garden Village, the village team help organise regular activities for residents. Families and friends can come to visit and the Village is within easy reach of a host of shops and restaurants, so you can be as active outside the community as within. 

Cost of moving to Denham Garden Village

We endeavour to be completely transparent about all our charges and fees. Below is information to act as a guide to the costs at Denham Garden Village. For further information please contact us.

What is included in leasehold charges?

Ongoing charges for leasehold customers while living at Denham Garden Village:

Ground rent
£250 per year from 1 January 2015
It will increase by £100 every 10 years thereafter. This is payable on the 1 April each year and if you purchase your lease part way through the year a proportion of the amount due will be payable.

Service charge
All residents pay a contribution to the running costs of the facilities, support services and maintenance of the building and grounds which is known as the ‘service charge’. The service charge is divided into a number of components detailed below. The service charge account is raised in advance and is split between all of the properties.

Component Elements of the Service Charge:

The Management Team
The Village Manager and support teams are responsible for the day to day running of Denham Garden Village and all its amenities. They ensure that all aspects of Denham Garden Village are constantly monitored and that the well-being of all residents is maintained. The management team on site are supported by central teams based in our support hub and head office.
A management fee covers the costs of the services provided to the properties centrally by Anchor. The services provided include HR, IT and Finance.

Gardens and Grounds
There will be places to relax and unwind in the communal grounds. Anchor will organise a gardening contractor to tend them and also look after the paths and walkways to make sure they are free of trip hazards.

Communal Areas, Electricity, Gas and Water
The heating, lighting and use of water in the communal areas and grounds are metered by the respective utility companies and the bills are submitted to the management company for payment on behalf of Denham Garden Village. As a leaseholder, you are responsible for your own utility bills and Council Tax.

24-Hour On-call Response
Your property is equipped with an emergency call system which will result in an on-call member of the team coming directly to your assistance, in an emergency. During times when there is no Anchor presence on site the calls are directed to Anchor Hanover on Call (Anchor’s 24-hour customer centre).

The Maintenance Team
There is a maintenance team on site who are qualified to undertake small repairs and provide fire alarm/ equipment checks within Denham Garden Village. This is covered under the service charge.

Telephone, Television and Wi-Fi
The properties are provided with telephone points and it is your responsibility to arrange a chosen provider (line rental will apply).
There is Wi-Fi in the communal areas within Denham Garden Village for you to access. If you would like Wi-Fi in your individual property then you can purchase this separately – direct with a provider of your choice.
For TV – we provide standard Freeview channels and the property is wired for Sky. If you want this then you would need to subscribe directly with a provider. You are responsible for obtaining a TV licence for your property, if required.

Insurance, Maintenance and Repair Contracts
We arrange for any external maintenance to your property and its facilities, and insure all the buildings. The service charge also covers regular external window cleaning. Repair contracts for lifts, plant and equipment are in place and all necessary checks are done on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis to comply with manufacturer’s recommendations and legislative requirements, where appropriate. The communal areas are inspected by the maintenance team to make sure that all lights and equipment are working correctly. They also arrange for PAT (portable appliance test) for all communal electrical equipment. Please note as an owner you will be responsible for the internal maintenance and redecoration of your property and for home contents insurance.

The Health Spa
Denham Garden Village has its own luxurious Health Spa with well- appointed changing rooms, an indoor swimming pool, steam room, sauna, hair and beauty salon fully equipped gymnasium and specialist treatment rooms. The Health Spa is for the use of village residents and people living in the local area. Residents can access all the facilities 7 days a week between 9am-5pm. There may be a charge for some dedicated treatments and activities.

Other costs:

Sales Transition and Administration Fee / Purchasers Information Pack
This covers the cost of dealing with the sale or resale of a property and the associated legal aspects. There may be other costs associated with additional solicitor enquiries that you will be made aware of when applicable. The Sales Transition and Administration Fee is £264 including VAT and the Sellers and Purchasers Information pack is £240 including VAT.

Deferred sinking fund contribution
The deferred sinking fund is a fund which we will build up over time and which will be available to meet the cost of major repairs and refurbishment works which are not covered by the monthly service charge.
The formula for calculating the payment due is set out in the lease. Your solicitor can explain how the sinking fund is calculated as this is a calculation dependent on many variables including the retail price index. Alternatively you can contact Anchor’s leasehold team for a calculation. This fund is ring-fenced for the sole use of works required at Denham Garden Village.

What is included in rental fees?

Ongoing charges for rented customers while living at Denham Garden Village:

Rent
Rents at Denham Garden Village vary by size and type of property and are reviewed on 1 April each year.

Service charge
All residents pay a contribution to the running costs of the facilities, support services and maintenance of the building and grounds which is known as the ‘service charge’. The service charge is divided into a number of components detailed below.

Component Elements of the Service Charge:

The Management Team
The Village Manager and support teams are responsible for the day to day running of Denham Garden Village and all its amenities. They ensure that all aspects of Denham Garden Village are constantly monitored and that the well-being of all residents is maintained. The management team on site are supported by central teams based in our support hub and head office.
A management fee covers the costs of the services provided to the properties centrally by Anchor. The services provided include HR, IT and Finance.

Gardens and Grounds
There will be places to relax and unwind in the communal grounds. Anchor will organise a gardening contractor to tend them and also look after the paths and walkways to make sure they are free of trip hazards.

Communal Areas, Electricity, Gas and Water
The heating, lighting and use of water in the communal areas and grounds are metered by the respective utility companies and the bills are submitted to the management company for payment on behalf of Denham Garden Village.

24-Hour On-call Response
Your property is equipped with an emergency call system which will result in an on-call member of the team coming directly to your assistance, in an emergency. During times when there is no Anchor presence on site the calls are directed to Anchor Hanover on Call (Anchor’s 24-hour customer centre).

The Maintenance Team
There is a maintenance team on site who are qualified to undertake small repairs and provide fire alarm/ equipment checks within Denham Garden Village.

Maintenance and Repair Contracts
The service charge covers the regular external window cleaning as well as costs associated with the servicing and repair of the communal items such as lifts. The communal areas are inspected by the maintenance team to make sure that all lights and equipment are working correctly. They also arrange for PAT (portable appliance test) for all communal electrical equipment.

Replacement of major items
There are a number of communal items of equipment such as furniture and fittings, warden call/door entry system, fire system equipment, lifts, TV aerials and laundry equipment which are paid for through an asset replacement charge.
Under this charge we calculate an annual contribution from customers by taking the initial cost of an item and spreading that cost equally overs its anticipated life. Each customer then pays an equal proportion towards that year's cost.

Other charges

Water charges for individual properties
Most customers will be responsible for their own water charges, however, a number of the apartments are metred via a communal meter. Where this is in place there will be a water charge levied by anchor not the water company. Charges are set by size of property.

Your local council will be able to advise you about getting help paying your rent and service charge through housing benefit. They will also be able to tell you if they will be paying grant to us to meet or contribute towards the support cost elements of our services to you.