Frequently Asked Questions

Retirement today means something very different to what it did 10 to 15 years ago. That’s why Brio is building integrated retirement communities across the UK to improve the quality and experience of retirement living. Exclusive to people 65+, we offer residents the chance to be part of a safe and secure self-contained community and the opportunity to access a host of onsite facilities, included tailored care and support when it is needed.

Brio is part of the Places for People Group, a placemaking and regeneration company with more than 50 years’ experience. Places for People builds homes and communities where everyone is welcome and can thrive.

We offer a wide variety of homes to meet different needs and lifestyles. These include apartments, cottages and bungalows ranging from one to three bedrooms all located in desirable locations across the UK.

A Brio Lifestyle combines good health, opportunities and independence with tailored care and support available as and when it is needed.

A new approach for a new age, our lifestyle offer is based on six principles - High Quality Homes, Community Life, Discreet Care & Support, Outdoor Living, Shared Experience and Assisted Smart Technology.

Together, they make up our vision for enjoyable and modern retirement living, delivered with respect.

A Brio community comprises far more than just housing. We base our communities around a Hub featuring a range of amenities, to make life more enjoyable and inspiring – both indoors and outdoors. From Slate & Grain, our brasserie, bar and coffee lounge to fitness studios and / or wellness studios, each Brio retirement community will feature its own array of local services, in addition to those offered by the wider town area. Please note, services / amenities may differ between Brio community locations.

Brio communities are designed so you can live your life your way, so you will be able to decide what types of activities you would like us to offer.

Whether you want to get involved in arts and crafts, take part in social events, enjoy entertainment or explore exercise trails, we will work with you to develop a programme of activities that best meets your needs.

Please note that some activities may incur an additional cost.

In all of our communities, we will provide a guest suite for your families and friends to use. Your community's General Manager will be able to arrange any bookings and can advise on costs.

When you move to a Brio community, we want to make sure your life is as stress free as possible. Our subsidised, not-for-profit concierge fee is designed to bring you the everyday services you need and make your everyday finances hassle-free. In other retirement communities/villages this fee is commonly known as a service charge or monthly management fee.

Our monthly fee covers lots of different things, so you’ll have no unexpected bills and more time to yourself. As well as general maintenance, it includes all the services, activities and support you need for a happy and healthy retirement.

The Concierge Fee covers running costs throughout the Brio community as well as in your home.

In your home, the fee covers:

• Building insurance
• Broadband / wifi
• Security
• Door entry system
• Emergency call system
• External lighting
• CCTV
• Exterior window cleaning

You will be responsible for paying Council Tax and all utilities supplied to your home i.e. electricity, heating, water etc.

In the Community Hub, the fee covers:

• Preferential rates in the Slate & Grain brasserie, bar and coffee lounge
• Use of the Homeowners Club Lounge
• Use of the Hobby / Multi-purpose room
• Use of the Fitness Studio
• Access to the shuttle bus service (Beechwood Park only)
• 24hr on-site staff presence
• A rapid response in the event of an emergency
• A dedicated General Manager and on-site team
• Free advice about your home and help with paperwork and bills
• Access to a range of social, leisure and wellbeing activities
• Free IT advice and support

Your fee also enables us to service and maintain the communal lifts, CCTV, heating and hot water systems, fire alarms, call systems and community lighting etc. 

To support you or your loved ones, we offer a comprehensive range of high quality, professional, responsive and flexible personal care and support services to help you remain independent in your own home.

We can offer as much, or as little, care as you need today or in the future. All care and support packages are carefully tailored to meet your specific needs. We pride ourselves on being flexible, so you can rest assured that you'll receive the right level of care and support as and when you need it, with support on hand at any time of day or night should you need it.

Our trusted care provider is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England and the Care Inspectorate in Scotland, and managed by our Director of Operations, giving you the reassurance and confidence that the care you or your loved ones receive will be a consistent, professional and personal experience.

Our on-site team can provide a wide range of lifestyle services to make your home life comfortable and hassle free, including assistance with housekeeping, laundry supervising home maintenance, pet care, and shopping.

Furthermore, the team offers companionship services such as arranging social appointments, making travel arrangements, help participating in hobbies and company at meal times.

We are happy for you to bring pets but kindly request that you contact your community's General Manager to get written permission before doing so, and in case there are any specific guidelines to follow.

Brio homes are provided unfurnished but come fully decorated with high quality carpets and flooring plus a fully fitted, handle-less kitchen with integrated, easy to use NEFF cooking appliances. Bathrooms have floor to ceiling ceramic tiles and a walk-in level access shower.

All homes also feature a home automation system and online access to Brio’s vast range of guest services.

The facilities are primarily for your use, but families and friends are also welcome. Selected amenities may also open to the wider local community.

There is a Brio shuttle bus service available* for planned shopping trips and excursions. The on-site team will be able to provide you with timetable details.

(* at selected Brio Communities)

Yes, there are dedicated parking areas close to all homes within Brio communities. The are also electric car charging points in our communities.

Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is not allowed in internal communal areas, but you can smoke in your own home and external communal areas. Please note private outdoor spaces may differ between Brio community locations.

If you are buying a bungalow or cottage you will have access to your own garden or courtyard. Each Brio community will have its own beautiful landscaped gardens, some with growing gardens, giving you the opportunity to get involved should you wish.

Yes, there is Sky infrastructure in every home and to enable you to connect with Sky. 

Yes, there is broadband infrastructure in some of our developments. You will need to contact your supplier to create your account.

Yes. Every Brio home is covered by a 10-year NHBC build mark warranty.

If you decide to sell your home, we can support you throughout the whole process. To cover this support and estate agency services such as advertising, carrying out viewings and managing enquiries, there will be a fee of 1% of the final sale price. This also makes sure that your proposed buyer meets the necessary criteria set out by Brio.

Brio reserves the right to resell the property for the first six months of it being on the market.

Yes. Moving to a Brio community is about making the most of your retirement, and with our hassle-free* move service we can help you quickly settle into the Brio Lifestyle.

Let us take away the stress and worry of dealing with estate agents and conveyancing, organising removals and getting all of those pictures hung in your new home.

We can even help to get you into your new home if your property is still on the market.

Our hassle-free move service is available when you fully purchase your Brio home and include the following:

• Move-in service, including decluttering and removals
• £2,000 towards preferred estate agent for the sale of your home
• Move-in assistance: opportunity to move in at discounted rents until property is sold
• Change of address service
• Handyman service
• Part-exchange service
• Contribution towards conveyancing costs

Find out more about our Hassle-Free Move service.

As a general rule, if you’re under 65 you’ll have to wait to move into a Brio home.

ARCO

Brio Retirement Living is a full member of the Associated Retirement Community Operators (ARCO). ARCO is the main body representing the retirement community in the UK.

As Approved Operators we aim to operate all the integrated retirement communities that we have registered with ARCO according to the principles laid down in the ARCO Consumer Code.

Home Quality Mark

The Home Quality Mark (HQM) is a national standard for new homes, which uses a simple 5-star rating to provide impartial information from independent experts on a new home's design, construction quality and running costs. The Home Quality Mark standard is built into all our homes, ensuring safe, modern and comfortable dwellings.

Consumer Code for Home Builders

The Consumer Code for Home Builders is an industry led scheme which gives protection and rights to purchasers of new homes, ensuring that new Home Buyers are treated fairly and are fully informed about their purchase before and after they sign the contract. We adhere to the Consumer Code for Home Builders.

• Our brasserie, bar and coffee lounges, gyms gardens and social spaces create a community in every sense of the word
• We work hard to connect with wider communities, helping our homeowners discover a world of hobbies, activities and friends
• Dedicated teams are on site, offering daily wellness check-ins and activities
• Personal Care can be arranged with our trusted care provider
• Flexible options mean you can buy, rent or even part buy/part rent
• ‘Try before you buy’ scheme also gives you a chance to see how amazing retirement at a Brio development could be