What is Warden Controlled Housing?

As the UK population continues to age, the range of housing options available to older adults continues to diversify. One type of accommodation that’s surged in popularity with older adults is warden-controlled housing, which is a type of supported living.

Census 2021 results show that people aged 65 and over now make up 18.6% of the population (over 11 million people), compared to 16.4% during the previous census in 2011. This data helps to illustrate how a growing number of older adults could benefit from this type of housing and similar forms.

In this article on warden-controlled housing:

1. What is warden controlled housing?
2. Who is it for?
3. The benefits of warden controlled housing
4. What is a housing warden?
5. How much does warden controlled housing cost?
6. How to find warden controlled housing

What is Warden-Controlled Housing?

Warden-controlled housing is a type of UK retirement housing or sheltered housing. Here, a warden either lives on-site or very near the housing development. This warden is there to provide support during emergencies and generally make sure residents' needs are tended to.

Warden-controlled housing is very similar to other forms of retirement living and supported living. Here, independence is promoted in a secure environment, with residents still having access to care and support, in case it’s needed.

This type of property is usually built with older adults in mind. As a result, features like wider doorways (for wheelchairs to fit through) and more ramps or lifts instead of stairs are commonplace.

Who Is It For?

The majority of warden-controlled housing is available to you if you’re aged over 55 (although some schemes will have a slightly higher minimum age).

Some schemes are also available to people aged under 55 who have a physical disability or learning disability.

The Benefits of Warden Controlled Housing

Here, we’ve listed some of the biggest benefits that you or your loved one can enjoy when living in warden controlled housing:

• Having someone available 24 hours a day if assistance is needed. Residents living by themselves find this particularly comforting
• Maintain your independence by selecting as much or as little care and assistance as is needed
• Having someone on-site will ease any security concerns. The warden will oversee the entire property from a security point of view, so you won’t have to worry about any unwelcome visitors roaming the grounds

What is a Housing Warden?

A housing warden - also known as a scheme manager or house manager - is responsible for managing a sheltered or retirement housing scheme. Some of these schemes have a resident warden and a 24-hour service, while others have visiting and part-time wardens.

In a general sense, housing wardens oversee day-to-day services while responding to the needs of residents.

What does a housing warden do?

Over the last few years, there have been several changes to the duty of a housing warden, which can vary quite a bit from scheme to scheme.

Most wardens are now expected to:

• Manage the scheme
• Develop relationships with older adults living in the scheme and make sure they’re properly looked after
• Provide residents with information on availability and access to services while also encouraging them to seek out additional support from other statutory and voluntary organisations where necessary
• Summon help in emergencies
• Supervise other members of staff who cook and clean for residents
• Keep the building and any communal areas clean, safe and secure
• Arrange repairs and maintenance

Housing wardens may also organise fun activities for residents, such as bingo, lunch clubs and other games - much like that of an activity coordinator. Some housing wardens will also oversee personal care services for residents.

How Much Does Warden-Controlled Housing Cost?

Lots of factors come into the cost of warden-controlled housing, including the below:

• Location - Retirement home costs and care home costs differ from region to region. For example, our internal data shows that the average cost of a one-bedroom retirement apartment in London is £708,200, compared to just £215,922 in the North of England North East and North West) and £214,927 in Yorkshire

• Renting or buying - Whether you choose to buy or rent will influence how much you pay. Often, renting can end up being more expensive in the long run. Our internal data shows a one-bedroom retirement apartment in South East England costs an average of £342,900. In comparison, the cost for the same property when renting is £2,278 per month

• Property size - Naturally, the size of the property you’re after will affect the price. Using our internal data for comparison, the average cost of a one-bedroom retirement apartment to buy in East Anglia is £213,950, compared to £317,700 for a two-bedroom apartment (a 39% difference)

There are several other fees associated with warden-controlled housing and retirement living in general, including living costs, any additional care costs and management fees as provided by the warden (these are often £500 to £700 a month, but can cost up to £1,000 at high-end developments).

How To Find Warden Controlled Housing

One of the free services we offer is helping older adults find warden-controlled housing or a similar form of retirement living. We have a wide selection of retirement homes, so you can easily find one in your local area or a different part of the UK.

Our retirement home listings state what care and support they offer to residents. The below example - at Eden Court Retirement Home in London - offers warden-controlled housing (titled as ‘24/7 on site support’), domestic support, companionship care and personal care.

Here are some of our other best retirement villages that offer warden controlled housing:

Blagdon Village in Taunton, South West England

Elizabeth Place in Market Harborough, East Midlands

Thorneycroft in Tettenhall, West Midlands

Pegasus Chapelwood in Wilmslow, North West England

Elderton Place in Whitley Bay, North East England

Matcham Grange in Harrogate, Yorkshire

There are a few other ways to search for and find warden-controlled housing in the UK. You can use this Government website to find various types of sheltered accommodation throughout the country.

Aside from that, the easiest way to find warden-controlled housing is through your local council. All you need to do is enter your postcode and then once you’ve located your council, get in touch and enquire about what options are available.

Retirement Living developments offer safe, secure and luxurious housing with retirees in mind. Through Lottie, you can pick from several stylish retirement living options throughout the UK. Choose between 1-bed, 2-bed and 3-bed properties with varying levels of care and support available.

Check out the very best retirement living villages and homes that we have to offer!