Our Accommodation

What accommodation do we have?

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Accommodation includes 10 single occupancy almshouses (no stairs), plus one larger detached 2 bedroom almshouse (with stairs) for either 2 independent residents to share, or perhaps, an elderly or middle aged couple (55 years & over).

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The single occupancy dwellings have a lounge with a full length cupboard (some have a window seat with under seat storage) & TV aerial socket, small fitted kitchen with automatic washing machine plumbing, single bedroom, small lobby area with a back door & a wet-room containing a toilet, wash basin, electric shower, shaver socket & mechanical ventilation. The front door opens onto a roofed veranda with fixed seating & a post box. All rooms are centrally heated with radiators, most have a telephone socket, though if not, this can be installed at the residents expense. Mobility scooter paved area to the rear of each almshouse with an external electric socket for battery charging (this facility is provided by the Charity to help extend residents' independent living).

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Please see the photographs below of the Orme Almshouse site & typical examples of the Lounge, Kitchen & Wet-room facilities all single occupancy dwellings provide.

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What does an almshouse cost & how does it work?

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One of the principal responsibilities for Trustees is to ensure that the Orme Almshouse Charity has sufficient income to sustain its financial viability.

The Charity charges residents a Monthly Maintenance Contribution (“MMC”). This is paid on the first banking day of the month for that month by such as a standing order set up by the new resident. There is no deposit to pay.

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MMC is not rent, it is a contribution paid by a resident in support of the maintenance of the almshouses. A resident occupies an almshouse as a beneficiary of the Orme Almshouse Trust, they are not a tenant. Therefore, occupation of an almshouse on this basis does not create any form of secure tenancy. The resident occupies the premises under licence (Letter of Appointment or "LOA" for short) the licence is not a contractual arrangement, but an appointment further to the terms of Orme Almshouse Trust. The relationship with the resident is that of Trustee and Beneficiary, not Landlord and Tenant.

 

Please note : Unless a resident no longer qualified under the terms of our Trust or did not comply with their LOA , they would normally continue as a beneficiary (a resident) until the resident gave notice to leave.

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MMC (as at 2025) is £390 per calendar month, this covers the licence to occupy the almshouse & also includes gas central heating & hot & cold running tap water (no heating or water bills to pay for!). All property maintenance is carried out by, & at the expense of, the Charity. All properties come decorated & carpeted with cushion flooring in the kitchen & a non-slip sealed floor in the wet-room. 

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Council Tax, electricity, telephone landline charges/internet etc., contents insurance & any other costs/billing are the sole responsibility of the resident.

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If a resident is 60 years or over (under 60 if recognised as disabled) & working 15 hours a week or less, then they will qualify to join our TV Communal ARC License Scheme. This replaces the need to have a TV License of your own & the current cost to the resident is (payable to the Charity) £7.50 per year.

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A resident must qualify as a beneficiary within the terms of our Trust on which the almshouse is held in order to be able to occupy the property. The Governing Document for Orme Almshouses Trust specifies the beneficiary group from which residents may be appointed. The trustees have a fiduciary duty to ensure that all residents, when appointed, qualify as beneficiaries.

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Please "click" on any of the images below to open a larger copy.