Questions and Answers

Monte da Palhagueira Retirement Village and Nursing Home opened it’s doors in 1989 and is part of The Amesbury Abbey Group; a family-run concern, originally founded by the late Mary Cornelius-Reid A.M. M.B.E in 1972. The Amesbury Abbey Group also operates nursing homes and sheltered housing accommodation in England at Amesbury Abbey in Wiltshire and Sutton Manor, in Hampshire.

The houses and apartments are available on the basis of a service contract called  ‘Lifetime Residency, Assisted Living and Care Agreement’ to accord with English and Portuguese law. The payment that secures your property is refundable less a clear Retention Fee which increases over time, at 1 year’s notice. Payments are made in British Pound and repayments are also made in British Pound. Upon vacation, the property simply reverts back to the Company, eliminating expensive estate agent and lawyers fees, the Portuguese Transfer Tax, Stamp Duty and Notary Fees. All residents must be over the age of 55 years to be eligible to acquire a property.

Every property will be renovated before a new Resident moves in. The new Resident has the option of adding individual wishes to the renovation list at own cost. After having the renovation list is completed the “Lifetime Residence, Assisted Living and Care Agreement” needs to be signed and a 20% deposit is required. Three month later or with moving in what ever comes first the remaining 80% are being paid. The renovation work is usually carried out during this 3 month period.

We want you to feel completely at home at Palhagueria and would be delighted to discuss with you any changes, structural or otherwise you may wish to make.

All properties in the village come unfurnished and freshly painted and decorated in neutral tones. Naturally, should you wish to, you are most welcome to redecorate the interior of your home in a colour palette of your choice and we have a tried and trusted team we can recommend and organise for you.

During the period of occupancy a quarterly Service Charge is payable to cover all the services offered under the “Lifetime Residence, Assisted Living and Care Agreement”. This allows residents to enjoy full use of all facilities in the Village.

Every resident is provided with an aid call pendant, which they can use to contact staff at Monte da Palhagueira Nursing Home 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in an emergency. The cost of this service and the operation of the technical infrastructure is included within the quarterly service charges.

Other expenses to consider are electricity, gas, telephone, personal property and contents insurance plus any medical services or meals provided by the company.

Relatives and friends are most welcome to stay with advance notice.

The ins a service agreement for the personal use of the resident. We don’t agree to letting the property out in the interest of a good community life. If you would like to allow friends to stay whilst you are away, the company will be pleased to discuss this with you.

Pets are welcomed with the company’s prior consent. Dogs should be supervised and understandably, are not allowed to roam the village freely.

Meals can be taken to village residents from the Nursing Home kitchen if they are feeling unwell. The introduction of a general meal service is in preparation, please talk to us for details.

There is no need to sell your property as this is a service agreement including Lifetime Residence. The property stays in the ownership of the Company. To terminate the contract you hand in a written submission of notice to leave and expiry of the required notice period. Your money will be returned to you or your estate at the end of the notice period, less the Retention Fee as defined in the service agreement.

Your sales adviser will provide full details regarding the sliding scale Retention Fee. This convenient system avoids the uncertainty of selling in the open market, the additional cost of agent and solicitors’ fees and the uncertainty of fluctuating exchange rates.

A comprehensive list of medical and care services are part of this service agreement. The consist of a list of free services and a list of paid care and medical services to accomodate the individual need situation.