House Manager heroes!
Find a retirement home near you
Find a retirement home near you
Our House Managers wear many hats
All our Retirement Living developments have a House Manager -they play a vital role in the wellbeing of our communities. Working office hours, usually Monday to Friday, the House Manager ensures the development’s communal areas, inside and out, are well maintained, services are delivered as expected and all our homeowners are happy.
From changing lightbulbs to emergencies, House Managers are on hand to deal with any and every situation that arises – giving homeowners and their families complete peace of mind that someone is there to support them.
The House Managers Roles & Responsibilities
We love to cater for your guests too. From parties and private dining in our function rooms to intimate lunches in the restaurant.
When your family and friends visit, you’ll have all the fun of entertaining – without having to cook a thing or wash the pots afterwards.
- Customer service: House Managers help with any day-to-day issues that occur– this could include a complaint, a plumbing problem or supporting a homeowner who is unwell, had an accident, is bereaved or even lonely.
- Community events co-ordinator: the House Manager helps build a thriving community and that means ensuring there are lots of activities and events for all interests onsite from chess clubs to yoga, movie nights to cocktail parties and more.
- Receptionist: as the ‘face of McCarthy Stone’, they welcome visitors to the development including family, contractors and health professionals.
- Health and Safety: a critical part of the role includes reporting/checking of maintenance defects, fire safety issues and accidents. It also requires monitoring fire alarms, security alarms and the Emergency Call Out, as well as keeping an eye out for the health and well-being of homeowners and alerting family or medical teams, if necessary.
- HR: House Managers interview and manage a team of contractors including window cleaners, building cleaners, decorators, gardeners and handymen.
- Finance and admin: House Managers are responsible for things like sticking to development budgets, raising purchase orders, chasing payments, paperwork for new homeowners and guest suite bookings
- Housekeeping: House Managers look after the laundry service, washing and ironing for the guest suite.
- Estate Agent: House Managers play a vital role in our resales service by showing potential new homeowners around the retirement apartments and communal facilities. They explain all the lifestyle and services available. They also help new homeowners to settle in, supporting them with practical things (like how to work new appliances!) as well as introducing them to their new neighbours, inviting them to events and making sure they feel completely at home.
House Managers often go above and beyond their job description, doing small random acts of kindness – just because they care.
Meet Elizabeth Johnstone, House Manager, The Boat House, Southampton
“I love that the role is different every day. I can’t predict what is going to happen. You need to be an all-rounder and a problem solver – I’ve learnt how to do practical things like fix leaks in the pump rooms, fix the doors and mend the loos! I love hearing laughter and chatter around the development. Events are really popular here – some weekly and some monthly. The weekly ones are things like coffee mornings, exercise classes, knit and natter. Every month we have a book group, gardening, walking group, fish and chip nights, film nights etc. We also have special events – like bands, singers, magicians, a piano man, BBQs in the fabulous garden. You build lovely relationships with homeowners and their families, but you are also there to deal with issues which can be everything from maintenance to looking out for people’s physical and mental health. There’s a lot of fun, but a serious side to it too.
Retirement Living
Entitlements Advice
“Josh Billinge (Resales Property Consultant) and Callum Bailey (Resales Sales Progressor) were great from start to finish. I really appreciated the way they helped me navigate the final stages of the buying process, particularly in getting everything over the line in time for the moving date we were hoping for. Callum’s guidance, reassurance and chasing people up at the end made a real difference. Both Josh and Callum were friendly and reliable so I’d like to say a big thank you.”
Josh Billinge and Callum Bailey
“I have recently used McCarthy Stone Resales to sell my mother’s apartment. The service I received from Julie Samuels was outstanding. She was a pleasure to deal with and did everything she promised. Julie is a huge asset to the company, thank you again.”
Julie Samuels – Sales Progressor
“We have just sold my mother’s apartment at Coopers Court, Yate. My son and I have been very impressed with our selling experience through McCarthy Stone Resales from the moment the property was put on the market, until it completed. We were kept fully informed throughout the process and we felt that the Resales team were doing all that they could to help us sell the property. A special mention goes to Julie the Sales Progressor, who worked very hard and gave 110% in helping to manage the process through to a successful completion. We would highly recommend McCarthy Stone Resales as selling agents.”
Coopers Court, Yate
“My sales progressor, Julie, kept me informed and responded quickly to my emails, texts and phone calls, and never minded how many times I was in contact. She was helpful, sympathetic and understanding.”
Julie Samuels – Sales Progressor
“My mother-in-law moved into Edward Place in 2021 and loved her apartment, the friendly community, and the activities. When her health declined, the team provided exceptional care and support. We highly recommend Edward Place for its facilities and the kindness of everyone there.”
Edward Place, Surrey
“Saxon Gardens is a well-run development with staff who go above and beyond. Melanie, the Estate Manager, and her team have created a vibrant community and I am very happy to have moved here from my solitary life previously.”
Saxon Gardens, Oakham
“A shout out to the staff at Violet Place in Bagshot. I use the guest suite facilities for visiting family and friends. They are so helpful and accommodating, the guest suite is fabulous – never fails to impress, and it is spotless.”
Violet Place, Bagshot
“I am extremely happy with the excellent service provided by the McCarthy Stone Resales team throughout the sales process of our apartment at McKinlay Court in Kettering. Although McCarthy Stone Resales are slightly more expensive than the other high street agents, this has proven to be money well-spent and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.”
McKinlay Court, Kettering
“The team at McCarthy Stone Resales were incredibly friendly and helpful, from our very first enquiry to the completion of our property purchase at River View Court. The service provided throughout was excellent. Thank you for your assistance.”
River View Court, West Bridgford
“The whole buying process with McCarthy Stone Resales was very easy and clear. We opted for the part-exchange process which alleviated the uncertainty of how long it would take to sell our own property. We are extremely pleased with the whole experience. Thank you!”
