Service flats: if you really want to enjoy life!

Service flats: if you really want to enjoy life!

Many young senior citizens raise an eyebrow when they hear the words service flat. To their way of thinking service flats are aimed at elderly people, and they certainly don’t count themselves as being in that category. But the general image of service flats should be taken with a large grain of salt, and it’s worth checking them out for yourself.

You’ve just started receiving your pension, the kids have left home, your mortgage is finally paid off… You can start to really live it up! A service flat might be the last thing you want to think about. But just consider whether your house might not be a bit too big for you. And would you not prefer to go and live a little closer to the energy and buzz of the city?

A service WHAT?

A service flat is also known as a recognised assisted living unit, and has little or nothing to do with a care home. You live completely independently in the same comfort as you are used to at home, and often even more. There are various assistance services in the building that you can call on if you think you need them. Apartments of this kind often also enjoy a very favourable location, for example with public transport, a pharmacy, shops or a supermarket a short walk away.

Staying independent for longer
Some older people see a recognised assisted living unit as meaning a loss of independence. It’s actually the opposite: by choosing a recognised assisted living unit you can carry on living independently much longer. Assisted living units are built to raise the level of safety and convenience: corridors are wider, there are no awkward staircases… Young senior citizens often don’t notice these little differences, but once you become older these little adaptations mean you can carry on living at home longer and don’t need to move to a residential home.

Freedom of choice
In a recognised assisted living unit you decide everything for yourself It’s your home, after all. So you choose the furnishings, what you cook, who you invite in … Just as you would do in an ordinary apartment. So you enjoy complete privacy. However, you’re never short of social contact. Most buildings with assisted living units have communal rooms where you can chat, and they are often located close to a lively city centre as well.

Buy or rent?
At present you can easily rent an assisted living unit. In that case you pay a daily price that includes all facilities. What the daily price is depends on location, the size of the flat and the facilities that are available.

More and more young senior citizens are, however, opting to buy a recognised assisted living unit, even if they do not yet plan to move into it immediately. Unlike renting, an assisted living unit represents an excellent property investment. With the increasing ageing of the population, it’s never difficult to find a tenant, and thanks to the tax incentives you pay only 12% instead of 21% VAT and never have to pay property tax (provided the assisted living unit is recognised by the Agency for Care and Health). It doesn’t take long to do the sums.

A fine gift for your children
A recognised assisted living unit also makes fine gift for your children. You will never again need to worry about maintaining the old house when you become less mobile, and thanks to the ageing of the population a recognised assisted living unit is sure to increase in value in the future.

On top of that, there are often facilities in recognised assisted living units for you to invite your children and grandchildren. So you can chat with your children in peace and quiet while your grandchildren play safely outdoors.

Are you curious about how convenient a recognised assisted living unit can be?
AG Residential is currently offering luxurious assisted living units in a superb, trendy location in Leuven. Find out about the unique VIVID+ project.