The first quarter of 2016 saw an uplift in retirement housing sales, according to the latest quarterly review from Retirement Homesearch.

Despite 18% fewer viewings and enquiries than the same time last year, the company recorded an 11% rise in sales – thought to be fuelled by buyers rushing to complete deals ahead of the stamp duty tax changes.

Retirement Homesearch anticipates a “re-adjustment” in sales and price rises as the market returns to a more regular pace.

The review also reports on trends among the downsizing generation: they say that half of Britons will wait until they are 70 before they downsize and a quarter will wait until they are 80.

This is leading to some problems as the care needs for downsizers are becoming more complex than many retirement developments are able to meet.

Nick Freeth, Managing Director, Retirement Homesearch says: “Many retirees and their families don’t understand the difference between independent living, assisted living and care homes. (This) can have dire consequences as many are not set-up to deal with the same intensive needs or requirement as a care-home.”

Retirement Homesearch, in conjunction with the Elderly Accommodation Counsel, is calling for the industry to do more to make sure the right information is provided to downsizers at the point of sale to ensure that all residents end up with the right level of care needed.

Nick Freeth adds: “We believe that the industry – from retirement developers, managers, care-home providers and more – should come together to explore options to ‘future proof’ retirement living. With an ageing society we need to act now and plan for the future.”

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