Retirement housing

Both Eastbourne and Lewes district offer retirement housing services which provide accommodation in an independent living community for people aged over 60 years.

Retirement housing is a court of unfurnished flats, studio apartments, or bungalows designed for older people.

The aim is to provide comfortable, convenient, and secure accommodation whilst residents maintain full independence.

Properties are usually let on secure tenancies, and tenants do not have the 'Right to Buy'.

Facilities

All homes have an intercom connected to an alarm system where emergency assistance is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Each court has a Retirement Housing Advisor to signpost any resident who needs assistance with shopping, cleaning, meals or accessing support services. The Retirement Housing Advisor's provide well-being checks for residents Mon-Fri in office hours and can assist with a range of housing and tenancy related matters.

Our residents live independent lives but feel reassured by the provision of the emergency alarm service and visiting staff ensuring our buildings are well kept and secure.

Retirement courts

Most retirement courts contain facilities such as a communal lounge, laundry room, garden, and mobility scooter storage facilities.

The communal areas allow residents to enjoy social, recreational and leisure activities in a safe environment; whilst each property is self-contained with its own entrance for residents to come and go as they wish.

Accommodation is centrally heated and double glazed. Not all courts allow pets. Heating and lighting costs are included in the rental of properties in most purpose built courts of flats, so residents do not have to worry about separate fuel accounts. Service charges are made for communal services such as cleaning of communal areas, grounds maintenance, alarm systems and other services courts may offer.

Not all courts allow pets. We are currently reviewing our pets policy for Lewes and Eastbourne for the retirement properties.

Bungalows

Many of our bungalows have their own garden area which the tenant is responsible for the upkeep of.

It is important to think about your mobility, as the bungalow option is not always suitable for everyone due the maintenance of your own garden area. Residents are also responsible for their own utilities costs in bungalows, and these are not included within the weekly charge.

Unlike flats, there is no restriction on keeping dogs or cats as pets in a bungalow.

Key eligibility criteria

As an applicant or joint applicant, you must be 60 years old or over and meet at least one of the following criteria to be housed in Retirement Housing:

Reside in the Lewes district or Eastbourne as your only or principle home, and have done so for the previous 2 years.
Have resided in the Lewes district or Eastbourne as your only or principle home for a period of at least 3 consecutive years out of the previous 5 years.
Have served in the Armed Forces within the previous 5 years, if so you do not need a local connection to join our waiting list.
Be in permanent employment in the Lewes district or Eastbourne, and have been for the previous 2 years.
Have close relatives who reside in the Lewes district or Eastbourne as their only or principle home and have done for at least the previous 5 years.

You will not be eligible if you have over £32,000 in savings or assets. For example, owning your own home with equity of over £32,000.

How to apply for retirement housing

To apply for retirement housing accommodation you will need to complete a housing application form.

Apply within Eastbourne Borough Council:

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Apply within Lewes District Council:

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