Families inheriting retirement properties can face years of charges while struggling to sell homes they cannot live in themselves, Wells and Mendip Hills MP Tessa Munt has told Parliament.

The Liberal Democrat MP raised the issue during a House of Commons debate on the regulation of retirement property management companies on Tuesday, 8 September. Parliamentary records show she made two interventions during the debate.

Ms Munt highlighted the case of one constituent whose property had been on the market since 2022.

She told MPs the landlord controlled who could buy the property, while younger adult members of the family were unable to move in because they did not meet its over-55 age restriction.

She said the property could not be rented out by the family and was also subject to an exit fee.

Ms Munt told the Commons: "They are absolutely banjaxed. There is an exit fee as well. It is catastrophic."

She has since said she has heard from a number of constituents about the difficulties families can face after inheriting retirement accommodation.

Ms Munt said: "I have heard from so many people about the massive headache that can come with these homes. At a time of grief, families can face financial devastation.

"From long delays in probate to unexpected estate management fees and service charges, from higher premiums for insurance to exit fees, it is clear to me that the Government must look at protections for families caught in this situation."

Concerns over service charges on empty retirement properties have also been raised by other MPs during 2026.

The Government has previously said leaseholders in retirement housing should be protected from unfair or unreasonable practices, while two government-approved codes of practice currently cover the wider residential leasehold and private retirement housing sectors.

Under current council tax rules, a home left empty following the death of its owner can remain exempt while probate is being dealt with, with a further six-month exemption possible after probate is granted in certain circumstances. Normal rules on empty properties apply after that period.

Service charges can continue separately while a property remains unsold, an issue which has prompted questions from MPs and an ongoing parliamentary petition calling for charges on inherited retirement homes to be restricted while they are vacant.

During the September debate, Ms Munt also questioned costs being faced by residents at another retirement development in her constituency.

She told the Commons that one building had been quoted £240,000 to repaint its windows, which she said worked out at more than £5,000 per flat. The minister responding said concerns around major managing agents were being considered as part of wider work on regulation.

Ms Munt said age restrictions could create an additional problem for families inheriting retirement homes at a time when housing remains in short supply.

She said: "When there is a shortage of affordable homes, it is frustrating that so often family members themselves are not able to live in the properties they have inherited.

"This, compounded with a slow selling market, can turn this into a nightmare situation."

The MP has asked constituents who have experienced similar problems with inherited retirement properties to contact her office.

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