ARCO Welcomes Government Action on Homebuying Reform and Calls for Stronger Consumer Protection Standards in Retirement Housing

The Associated Retirement Community Operators (ARCO), the representative body for the Integrated Retirement Community (IRC) sector in the UK, has welcomed the Government's plans to speed up and simplify the home buying and selling process, saying the reforms could significantly benefit older people seeking to move into an Integrated Retirement Community.

Conveyancing delays, failed transactions and collapsing property chains can create significant stress, uncertainty and financial cost for older people looking to downsize or move into specialist retirement housing. ARCO believes reducing these barriers will help more older people access high-quality housing, care and support options that improve wellbeing and independence in later life.

However, ARCO has urged policymakers to ensure that any new requirements for property sales packs do not create unintended obstacles that make it harder for older people to bring their homes to market.

Sally Ireland, Director of Legal at ARCO, said:

"Conveyancing delays and collapsing chains heap stress and uncertainty on older people who wish to move into an Integrated Retirement Community. The Government's plans to speed up and simplify the home buying and selling process are therefore extremely welcome.

"Integrated Retirement Community operators also need clear guidance on what information should be included in property listings, so that prospective purchasers can make fully informed decisions about the property, services and costs associated with retirement community living. We therefore encourage the Government to publish its updated guidance on Material Information in Property Listings as soon as possible."

ARCO Consumer Code Sets the Benchmark for Transparency in Retirement Property Sales

ARCO emphasised that its members already go beyond legal requirements through adherence to the ARCO Consumer Code, which forms part of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute Approved Code Scheme.

The ARCO Consumer Code provides comprehensive standards for transparency, disclosure, customer information and consumer protection in retirement housing. The Code helps ensure that prospective residents understand key information about service charges, deferred management fees, care and support services, contracts and community facilities before making a purchasing decision.

ARCO believes the Consumer Code represents best practice for retirement property sales and is calling for the Government's forthcoming guidance on material information to reflect these established standards.

"The ARCO Consumer Code demonstrates that transparency and consumer protection can be embedded throughout the customer journey," added Ireland. "We believe it sets the benchmark for disclosure in retirement property sales and would welcome Government guidance that reflects these principles."

Retirement Occupancy Lease Would Deliver Greater Consumer Protection Across the Sector

ARCO is also calling for wider adoption of the Retirement Occupancy Lease (ROL), a specialist form of retirement housing tenure developed specifically for Integrated Retirement Communities.

The Retirement Occupancy Lease is designed to provide greater transparency, certainty and consumer protection by incorporating sector-specific standards directly into legal agreements. The model creates a clearer and more consistent framework for retirement community residents while helping prospective purchasers better understand their rights, obligations and costs.

ARCO believes the Retirement Occupancy Lease can play a central role in raising standards across the retirement housing sector and ensuring every customer benefits from clear, transparent and fair contractual arrangements.

As policymakers continue to reform the home buying and selling process, ARCO is urging Government to ensure that transparency, consumer protection and informed choice remain at the heart of retirement housing policy.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

About ARCO

1. The Associated Retirement Community Operators (ARCO) is the main body representing Integrated Retirement Community operators in the UK. ARCO members are committed to high standards of consumer protection, transparency and service delivery and are required to comply with the ARCO Consumer Code, part of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute Approved Code Scheme.

2. In the report of its pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Commonhold and 
Leasehold Reform Bill, the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee noted: 
“…the care model and complex financing of some retirement housing— particularly Integrated Retirement Communities—may justify a different approach to other leasehold housing.”
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5902/cmselect/cmcomloc/40/report.html

3. Information on ARCO's proposals can be found here:

https://www.arcouk.org/resource/the-retirement-occupancy-lease

4. Information on the ARCO Consumer Code can be found here:

https://www.arcouk.org/arco-consumer-code

5. For more information, contact: James Lloyd, Director of Policy & Communications, ARCO (Associated Retirement Community Operators).

M: 07535 088498 / jameslloyd@arcouk.org