Retirement housing resale values to be studied as government plans older people's housing roadmap

Buyers of private retirement flats and other homes built for older people should get clearer information about costs, and the government will research why some of these properties hold their value on resale while others do not. The commitments are in the government's formal response to the Older People's Housing Taskforce, published on Tuesday by the housing and health departments.

The response accepts the taskforce's view that problems in the for-sale part of the sector, including weak resale values and opaque event fees, have led to poor outcomes for residents and dented the confidence of both buyers and investors.

Most of its answers to the taskforce's 10 main recommendations point to work already under way. The new commitment is a roadmap, due within the next year, setting out what departments will do to increase the supply of homes suited to an ageing population.

For buyers and owners

• research into the resale values of private older people's housing, looking at what makes some models keep their value
• leasehold and commonhold reforms that the government says will cover fees, service charges and obligations at the point of purchase and resale, with a consistent baseline of consumer protection across the for-sale market under consideration
• wider changes to home buying, including upfront sales packs from sellers and fuller information in listings, which the response says could help older buyers judge accessibility and spot hidden costs

For new Older Persons Shared Ownership homes funded through the Social and Affordable Homes Programme, landlords are now expected to set fair and transparent fees that are not used for profit, and to let residents opt out of optional services.

Planning and building

The National Planning Policy Framework published in August 2026 requires local plans to say what share of new homes should be built to the M4(2) and M4(3) accessibility standards. On major developments at least 40% of homes should meet M4(2) or higher where that is needed, which the government describes as a floor rather than a target.

Councils will get updated guidance on assessing older people's housing need, though no date is given. The first Model Design Codes, for small urban sites and sites on the edge of settlements, are due early next year.

Adapting existing homes

The £723 million Disabled Facilities Grant for 2026-27 lets councils help eligible people pay for adaptations worth up to £30,000. The grant is means-tested, although councils can set a more flexible local policy. The health department is commissioning research into how the grant is delivered and how recipients experience it.

One recommendation was turned down. The taskforce wanted a joint unit between the two departments to lead the work, but the government said officials already work closely together and a formal unit was not needed.