Housing options
Housing types explained
Compare the main kinds of later-life housing and care, then browse homes listed across the UK.
Start with what matters to you
You do not need to know the right term. Each starting point links to options that may suit — every housing type stays visible below.
I want an independent home
Age-restricted homes you rent or own, designed for independent living without built-in support.
See these optionsI want support nearby
Independent homes where an alarm service or scheme manager is usually part of the arrangement.
See these optionsI want care available on site
Self-contained homes where personal care can usually be arranged on site when it is needed.
See these optionsI need a care-home setting
Residential accommodation where personal care is part of daily life, with nursing in some homes.
See these options
All housing types
Names and services vary between providers. Check the individual property for the support, care, tenure and eligibility it actually offers.
I want an independent home
- Retirement housingAge-restricted homes designed for independent living, available to rent or buy depending on the scheme.Typical arrangement: A private flat or bungalow in an age-restricted development, most often owned leasehold.Also called retirement flatsExplore retirement housing2530 listed homes
- Retirement villagesLarger age-restricted communities with private homes and shared facilities; available care varies by development.Typical arrangement: A private house, bungalow or flat within a village-scale community, usually leasehold.Also called retirement communitiesExplore retirement villages
I want care available on site
- Extra-care housingSelf-contained homes with care and support available on site when residents need it.Typical arrangement: An accessible flat within a larger scheme staffed by an on-site care team, rented or owned.Also called housing with careExplore extra-care housing290 listed homes
- Close-care housingIndependent homes beside or within a care-home site, with access to services from the care provider.Typical arrangement: A flat or bungalow on or beside a care-home site, with services purchased from the home.Also called care-home linked housingExplore close-care housing40 listed homes
Common options compared
Typical features — individual schemes vary.
Sheltered housing
- Home arrangement
- Self-contained flat or bungalow in a small scheme
- Independence
- Fully independent living
- Care availability
- Not usually included; arranged separately if needed
- Typical tenure
- Usually social rent; some leasehold
- How people usually apply
- Through the housing association or council
- What to check with the provider
- Scheme manager hours, alarm charges, age rules
Retirement housing
- Home arrangement
- Private flat or bungalow in an age-restricted development
- Independence
- Fully independent living
- Care availability
- Not included; arranged privately if needed
- Typical tenure
- Usually leasehold purchase; some rental
- How people usually apply
- Buy or rent directly, as with any home
- What to check with the provider
- Service charges, ground rent, any resale fees
Extra-care housing
- Home arrangement
- Self-contained accessible flat in a larger staffed scheme
- Independence
- Independent living with care on hand
- Care availability
- Usually available on site, by assessment
- Typical tenure
- Mixed: social rent, shared ownership, leasehold
- How people usually apply
- Often via council nomination for rented homes
- What to check with the provider
- Care charges, staffing hours, eligibility criteria
Care homes
- Home arrangement
- Furnished room within a staffed residential home
- Independence
- Daily life supported by staff
- Care availability
- Personal care included; nursing in registered homes
- Typical tenure
- No tenure — a placement with fees
- How people usually apply
- Direct enquiry or council care assessment
- What to check with the provider
- Registration, inspection reports, full fees
Terms that are often used differently
Housing labels are not perfectly standardised. These pairs overlap most often.
Sheltered housing and retirement housing
Both are age-restricted independent homes. Sheltered schemes usually add an alarm service and a scheme manager; retirement developments usually do not.
Explore sheltered housingExtra care and assisted living
In UK usage these labels usually describe the same arrangement: self-contained homes with care available on site. Providers vary in which term they use.
Explore extra-care housingCare homes and nursing homes
All nursing homes are care homes, but only homes registered for nursing care have registered nurses on duty. The registration matters more than the name.
Explore care homesOver-55s and age-exclusive housing
These describe an age rule, not a kind of support or care. An over-55s development may be retirement housing, sheltered housing, or something else entirely.
Age-exclusive housing — glossary
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Not sure where to start?
Our step-by-step guides walk through how housing for older people works, what it costs, and how to apply.
Browse housing resourcesConfused by a term?
Plain-English definitions of the words schemes, councils and providers use, reviewed and kept current.
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