Twins Jackie Hughes and Martyn Woods have spoken out about the difficulties they faced after trying to sell their late mother’s retirement flat, highlighting broader concerns about rising fees and restricted resale options in the sector. The siblings, both aged 68, endured three years of escalating service charges and mounting costs before finally selling the property.
Their mother, Barbara, spent her working life as a nursing assistant and hairdresser, alongside her husband Ralph, a truck driver. After living in a detached bungalow in North Wales for over a decade, Barbara moved to a one-bedroom retirement flat in Chester in 2019 following a serious hip injury and declining health. The flat, located in the Kingswood complex managed by social housing landlord Your Housing Group (YHG), originally carried a weekly service charge of £115.
Barbara passed away at age 92 in April 2023 after a period of worsening vascular dementia. Shortly thereafter, YHG increased the service charge on her flat by 66 percent, raising the weekly fee to £191. The family was left responsible for the higher charge while attempting to sell the apartment.
Jackie Hughes described the period following her mother’s death as distressing, citing sleepless nights and significant financial strain. In addition to the increased service charges, the family incurred costs related to council tax, solicitors, estate agents, and contributions toward a sinking fund used for major building repairs. The rising fees and other expenses substantially reduced the net proceeds from the sale: Barbara had purchased the flat for £145,000 in 2019, but when the property sold in April 2026, the family received just £70,000 after deductions.
The twins lodged complaints with YHG about handling of the situation, including receiving correspondence addressed to Barbara months after her death. The Housing Ombudsman later ruled against YHG and ordered the group to pay £75 in compensation. Jackie expressed relief that her mother did not witness the ordeal, fearing it would have caused her distress.
YHG attributed the service charge increase to significant rises in utility costs driven by broader energy market fluctuations and the expiry of a long-term energy contract. The organization maintained that charges passed on to residents solely reflected legitimate operational costs recoverable under the lease terms. While acknowledging recognized challenges across the retirement housing sector, YHG asserted its commitment to fair treatment of residents and their families.
The siblings’ experience underscores growing concerns about the so-called “retirement flat trap,” a situation where older homeowners face barriers to selling their properties due to high fees and restrictive conditions. Jackie and Martyn argue that the system penalizes those who have worked and saved throughout their lives. They advocate for legislative reforms to address age-related restrictions and reduce service charges in retirement accommodations, a campaign gaining broader attention amid numerous similar cases nationwide.