• About Retirement Living

    • 1. What is retirement living and what are the benefits?

      “Research demonstrates that people buy into retirement villages for the quality of accommodation and facilities and the experience which can be defined as a mix of safety, social connections, pride of place and access to services.”(1)


      Firstly, we want to clarify that retirement living is NOT aged care. Importantly, retirement living is not government funded, unlike aged care, and the decision to move into a retirement village is due to lifestyle factors rather than needing care. In most retirement villages, you must be capable of living independently, although you may (if eligible*) be able to access in-home aged care services that allow you to, for all practical purposes, continue to live independently in the village, in the same way as you may be able to access these services if you stayed in your own home.


      *The owner/operator cannot guarantee your access to aged care. Eligibility is subject to an aged care assessment in accordance with the Aged Care Act 1997.


      In fact, moving into a retirement community may delay the need for aged care. A pilot study found that village residents were 2 years older before they received in-home aged care services. They were an extra 4 to 5 years older before they went into an aged care facility. Why? Primarily it’s the social contact, feeling of community and activities.(2)


      “Other independent research by Grant Thornton finds that village residents live independently for five years longer than the national average, delaying their entry into the residential aged care system due to the supported environment they live within”, said Ben Myers, Executive Director – Retirement Living at the Property Council of Australia.(3)


      According to the Grant Thornton report, living in a retirement village reduces the number of hospital admissions and improves the social wellbeing of residents. As retirement villages are purpose built, age appropriate designs such as ramps and railings help reduce accidents. The common problems of social isolation and depression are counteracted by the community support offered by the other village residents.(4)


      With social isolation estimated to affect 1 in 5 older Australians(5), it’s these opportunities for social interaction that sees 46% of residents report improved mental wellbeing since moving into a retirement village and 93% of residents state that their ‘overall happiness and life satisfaction’ had increased significantly or stayed neutral since moving into the village(6).


      Moreover, retirement living may provide the lifestyle features needed to ward off age related diseases like Alzheimer’s. Norman Doidge, in his book ‘The Brain that Changes Itself’ says “The more socially and physically active we are, and the more we participate in mentally stimulating activities, the less likely we are to get Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.”


      More recently, the 2017 PwC/Property Council Retirement Census (more than 56,000 retirement units across Australia participated) showed a 93% occupancy rate. According to the Census, the average two-bedroom unit is priced at less than 70% of the median house price in the same postcode, allowing seniors to unlock capital to improve their quality of life. Importantly, the Census found a trend towards retirement village operators providing or partnering with service providers to offer home care to village residents, enabling residents to stay in their retirement living home longer as they age and their health needs increase.


      The Chief Executive of the Property Council of Australia, Ken Morrison, said the 2016 Census (with similar findings to the 2017 Census) indicates retirement villages are growing in popularity and are an affordable downsizing proposition that provide real lifestyle and health benefits to residents. Mr Morrison said retirement villages were a positive move for older Australians encouraging them to remain independent and active for as long as they possibly could. “Retirement villages play a vital role in supporting residents physically and emotionally.”(7)


      (1) Rod Ellis-Jones, Ellis Jones: Retirement Living has a Great Future, 2017.

      (2) IRT: An Investigation of the IRT Retirement Community Landscape: A Pilot Study, 2014.

      (3) The Property Council of Australia: The Facts on Retirement Living, 2017.

      (4) Grant Thornton: Property Council of Australia: National Overview of the Retirement Village Sector, 2014.

      (5) The University of Adelaide: The Impact of Social Isolation on Older Australians, 2011.

      (6) The McCrindle Baynes Villages Census Report, 2013-2014.

      (7) Belinda Chilton, The Courier Mail: Census Shows Retirement Villages Improve Quality of Life, 2017.

    • 2. What are the different types of retirement living?

      Independent Living Unit/Villa

      This is the most common type of retirement living. Residents must be capable of living independently. It’s not very different from staying in your own home, except that you are living in a community for retirees or over 55s. No personal services are provided, as they are in a serviced apartment, although they may be available as optional services.

      Serviced Apartment

      Retirement living accommodation, where personal services are provided to assist you with daily living, such as cleaning, laundry and meals. You may be able to access these services as optional services at other types of retirement living accommodation. This type of accommodation is also known as Assisted Living and is generally smaller in size than other accommodation types. 


      Serviced Apartment living is not to be confused with residential aged care where care services are provided.

      Rental Unit/Village

      Rather than the traditional financial model of paying an entry price (and a deferred payment commonly being charged upon departure), a rental model may be available as an alternative within a traditional retirement village, or the entire community may be a rental model, where you pay an ongoing rental for your right to occupy your unit.

       

      In a rental village (as opposed to a rental unit/s within an otherwise traditional retirement village where at least one resident has paid an entry price), you would sign a residential tenancy agreement and won’t be governed by retirement villages legislation. They’re not legally restricted to retirees or over 55s, however they may be designed and marketed towards this consumer group.

       

      On the other hand, for a rental unit within a traditional retirement village where at least one resident has paid an entry price, you may sign a lease agreement governed by retirement villages legislation.

      Land Lease Community

      A community in which you lease the land/site from the community owner, but own the building it sits on or lease the building from the building owner.

       

      The entry price is the price for the house, and departure fees may apply if you sell the house to a new owner.

       

      Land lease communities are also referred to as manufactured home parks, because the homes are moveable. They may also be known as residential parks or lifestyle communities. They operate under different legislation than retirement villages legislation. They’re not legally restricted to retirees or over 55s, however they may be designed and marketed towards this consumer group.

    • 3. What is the deferred payment?

      When a retirement village unit is resold, the owner/operator may charge the departing resident either a percentage of their original upfront entry price or a percentage of the resale price of the unit, paid for from the resale proceeds. Often called a deferred management fee (or DMF), this is the income return an owner/operator receives for developing and managing the business of a retirement village. 


      Rather than a flat amount, the fee accrues over time. It is typically calculated as a percentage per year of residency, capped at a maximum amount, for example 3% per year capped at 30% after 10 years. The percentage can vary from operator to operator and village to village, depending on the basis of the calculation (whether it is calculated on the original entry price or resale price), the capital gain share between the resident and operator and if there is an obligation for residents to contribute towards long-term maintenance.


      The industry has adopted a deferred payment so resident savings remain available to pay for ongoing living costs (the intent being that the DMF does not reduce the money available for your retirement). 

       

      There has been much debate about the DMF, however from a resident’s point of view, it should be considered as the fee payable to live in a purpose-built retirement community where you will benefit from caretaker presence, like-minded neighbours, social engagement and easy access to services and amenities.

       

      The operator receives the DMF for developing the village and providing expertise to manage the retirement living business. Unlike a residential development where the sale of units provide the developer’s profit, in a retirement village a portion of the profit is received on the first sale and the other portion is received through deferred income under the DMF contract. Residents may pay less to buy into a retirement village (compared to a residential development with equivalent amenities in the same suburb), given the DMF contract requires the resident to make another capital payment when they leave.    

       

      DMF is the main source of income for operators and in order for a retirement village business to be viable it must cover such things as corporate overheads, non-recoverable sales and marketing costs, long-term maintenance and capital improvements.* The village operations generally work on a cost recovery basis, so service/maintenance fees payable by residents reflect the costs incurred.


      *In ACT and NSW, the owner/operator is prohibited from recovering the cost of replacing capital items owned by the owner/operator from village funds contributed to by residents, except in villages where residents don’t pay an entry price.


      In the 2017 PWC/Property Council Retirement Census (more than 56,000 retirement units across Australia participated), the maximum deferred payment percentage for 60% of villages is 30% or below. In the Census, approximately half the villages reach the maximum deferred payment percentage by 5 years, with the remaining reaching the maximum percentage by 10 years.


      In relation to a not-for-profit retirement living operator, the deferred payment is not recognised as 'profit' as it must be used for its charitable purpose.

    • 4. Where can I get more information?

      The Retirement Living Council is Australia’s peak body for the retirement living industry.  A useful planning checklist of important questions to ask before deciding to move into a retirement village prepared by the Property Council of Australia can be found here.

      The relevant state and territory government departments are as follows:


      Retirement Villages

      Rental Villages

      Land Lease Communities

      ACT

      Access Canberra 

      Access Canberra

      Access Canberra

      NSW

      Fair Trading 

      Fair Trading

      Fair Trading

      NT

      Consumer Affairs

      Consumer Affairs

      Consumer Affairs

      Qld

      Department of Housing and Public Works

      Residential Tenancies Authority

      Department of Housing and Public Works

      SA

      Office for the Ageing, SA Health

      Attorney-General's Department

      Attorney-General's Department

      Tas

      Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading

      Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading

      Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading

      Vic

      Consumer Affairs Victoria

      Consumer Affairs Victoria

      Consumer Affairs Victoria

      WA

      Department of Commerce

      Department of Commerce

      Department of Commerce

  • Legal Info

    • 5. What is the industry specific legislation?


      Independent Living Unit/Villa & Serviced Apartment

      (retirement villages legislation)

      Rental Unit/Village 

      (either retirement villages legislation as on left or residential tenancies legislation as below – refer to Rental Unit/Village type in answer to Q2 of FAQs)

      Land Lease Community

      ACT

      • Retirement Villages Act 2012
      • Retirement Villages Regulation 2013
      • Residential Tenancies Act 1997
      • Residential Tenancies Regulation 1998
      • Residential Tenancies Act 1997
      • Residential Tenancies Regulation 1998

      NSW

      • Retirement Villages Act 1999
      • Retirement Villages Regulation 2017
      • Residential Tenancies Act 2010
      • Residential Tenancies Regulation 2010
      • Residential (Land Lease) Communities Act 2013
      • Residential (Land Lease) Communities Regulation 2015

      NT

      • Retirement Villages Act 2016
      • Retirement Villages Regulations 2016
      • Residential Tenancies Act 2017
      • Residential Tenancies Regulations 2009
      • Caravan Parks Act 2015
      • Caravan Parks Regulations 2012

      Qld

      • Retirement Villages Act 1999
      • Retirement Villages Regulation 2010
      • Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008
      • Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Regulation 2009
      • Residential Services (Accreditation) Act 2002
      • Residential Services (Accreditation) Regulation 2002
      • Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Act 2003
      • Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Regulation 2017

      SA

      • Retirement Villages Act 2016
      • Retirement Villages Regulations 2017
      • Retirement Villages (Fees) Regulations 2017
      • Residential Tenancies Act 1995
      • Residential Tenancies Regulations 2010
      • Residential Parks Act 2007
      • Residential Parks Regulations 2007

      Tas

      • Retirement Villages Act 2004
      • Retirement Villages Regulations 2015
      • Residential Tenancy Act 1997
      • Residential Tenancy Regulations 2015
      • Residential Tenancy Act 1997
      • Residential Tenancy Regulations 2015

      Vic

      • Retirement Villages Act 1986
      • Retirement Villages (Records and Notices) Regulations 2015
      • Retirement Villages (Contractual Arrangements) Regulations 2017
      • Residential Tenancies Act 1997
      • Residential Tenancies Regulations 2008
      • Residential Tenancies Act 1997
      • Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Moveable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations 2010

      WA

      • Retirement Villages Act 1992
      • Retirement Villages Regulations 1992
      • Fair Trading (Retirement Villages Interim Code) Regulations 2018
      • Residential Tenancies Act 1987
      • Residential Tenancies Regulations 1989
      • Residential Parks (Long-stay Tenants) Act 2006
      • Residential Parks (Long-stay Tenants) Regulations 2007
      • Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds Act 1995
      • Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds Regulations 1997



    • 6. What are the different tenures/contractual arrangements?

      Strata title or Community title (owner resident)

      You own the freehold title to your unit/lot and the lot owners are members of a strata company or body corporate/owners corporation (governed by state/territory strata titles/community titles legislation), which may appoint the retirement village operator to manage and administer the affairs of the strata company.


      Residents being lot owners have the right to use the common property on the strata plan/plan of subdivision for which the strata company is responsible.


      Your departure entitlement will be based on the resale price paid by a new resident upon settlement of the sale of your unit, less departure fees. Ongoing fees will usually continue until your unit is sold.


      Note: although you own the title to your unit, there may be restrictions in your agreement with the village owner/operator as to who you can sell/transfer it to, and departure fees may still apply even if you are permitted to transfer it to a spouse, child or beneficiary. Furthermore, you may be prevented from borrowing against the unit to ensure departure fees can be recovered.

      Lease premium (non-owner resident)

      A long-term or lifetime lease of your unit is granted in return for you paying a non-refundable entry price/premium to the village owner.


      The lease agreement would usually also include a right to use communal areas and facilities of the village. Leases may be registered on title and provide security of tenure. 


      Your departure entitlement will be based on the new lease premium paid by a new resident upon settlement of the re-lease of your unit, less departure fees.

      Loan/Lease (non-owner resident)

      A long-term or lifetime lease of your unit is granted in return for you paying a refundable entry price/loan amount to the village owner. No interest is payable to you in relation to the loan amount paid by you.


      The lease agreement would usually also include a right to use communal areas and facilities of the village. Leases may be registered on title and provide security of tenure. 


      Your departure entitlement will be based on the loan amount repaid to you by the village owner and any entitlement to capital gain and liability for capital loss, less departure fees. 

      Licence premium (non-owner resident)

      A long-term or lifetime licence of your unit is granted in return for you paying a non-refundable entry price/premium to the village owner.


      The licence agreement would usually also include a right to use communal areas and facilities of the village. Licences are not registered on title and therefore may appear to be a less secure form of tenure. However, terms and conditions of licences are usually similar to leases giving you similar rights. 


      Your departure entitlement will be based on the new licence premium paid by a new resident upon settlement of the re-licence of your unit, less departure fees.

      Loan/Licence (non-owner resident)

      A long-term or lifetime licence of your unit is granted in return for you paying a refundable entry price/loan amount to the village owner. No interest is payable to you in relation to the loan amount paid by you.


      The licence agreement would usually also include a right to use communal areas and facilities of the village. Licences are not registered on title and therefore may appear to be a less secure form of tenure. However, terms and conditions of licences are usually similar to leases giving you similar rights. 


      Your departure entitlement will be based on the loan amount repaid to you by the village owner and any entitlement to capital gain and liability for capital loss, less departure fees. 

      Company title (non-owner resident)

      You buy shares in a company that owns the village (governed by the Commonwealth Corporations Act 2001), and your shares give you the right to occupy a particular unit in the village and to use the communal areas and facilities.


      Your departure entitlement will be based on the resale price paid by a new resident upon settlement of the sale of your shares, less departure fees. Ongoing fees will usually continue until your shares are sold.

      Unit trust (non-owner resident)

      This arrangement is similar to a company-title scheme, except that you buy a unit/s in a trust that give you the right to occupy a particular unit in the village and to use the communal areas and facilities. 


      The village is owned by the trustee, who holds it for the benefit of the unit holders on the terms of the trust. 


      Your departure entitlement will be based on the resale price paid by a new resident upon settlement of the sale of the unit/s in the trust, less departure fees. Ongoing fees will usually continue until the unit/s in the trust are sold.

      Purple title (owner resident)

      An older form of freehold title, your entry price pays for an undivided tenant-in-common share/shares in the village (the total number of shares represent the number of units in the original village development plan).


      Your ownership does not give you the right to occupy a particular unit, so you would sign a residence contract granting you the right to lease or licence your unit, and to use the communal areas and facilities of the village. 


      Your departure entitlement will be based on the resale price paid by a new resident upon settlement of the sale of your purple title interest and re-lease or re-licence of your unit, less departure fees. Ongoing fees will usually continue until your purple title interest is sold.

      Rental lease (non-owner resident)

      You pay ongoing rental to lease your unit from the village owner.

      Land lease (own building, lease land)

      You own the building, but lease the land/site upon which it sits from the community owner.  The entry price is the price for the house, and you pay an ongoing site fee to lease the land. 


      Under the site lease, you would also have the right to use the communal areas and facilities of the community.


      Your departure entitlement will be based on the resale price paid by a new resident upon settlement of the sale of your home, less any departure fees. Ongoing fees will usually continue until your home is sold, leased or relocated. If you decide to relocate the house (if permitted), as against selling or leasing to a new resident, there will be costs associated.

      Land lease (lease building, lease land)

      You lease the building from the building owner, and lease the land/site upon which it sits from the community owner.  You pay ongoing rental to lease the building as well as an ongoing site fee to lease the land (you have two landlords). Usually you just pay one ongoing amount to one landlord who then pays the other their share.


      Under the site lease, you would also have the right to use the communal areas and facilities of the community.

    • 7. What is the settling-in period (if any)?

      The table below is pursuant to retirement villages legislation (and applicable retirement living types – refer to answer to Q2 of FAQs) only. 

      After you have signed the residence contract and moved into the retirement village, if it doesn’t meet your expectations or requirements, you may be entitled under the retirement villages legislation to leave the retirement village within a certain period (known as the settling-in period) without incurring all the departure fees (depending on the relevant state/territory).

      ACT

      90 days. You are liable to pay only:

      • Fair market rent for the period of your residency;
      • Cost of any repairs for damage to the unit in excess of fair wear and tear;
      • A reasonable administration fee not exceeding $200; and
      • The reasonable costs incurred in adding, removing or altering any fixtures or fittings, or making any renovations, to the unit at your request (but only if you have occupied the unit).

      NSW

      Same as in ACT.

      NT

      None.

      Qld

      None.

      SA

      90 days. You are liable to pay only:

      • Fair market rent for the period of your residency; and
      • Other amounts (if any) you are required to pay under your residence contract if you leave during the settling-in period.

      Tas

      None.

      Vic

      None. 

      WA

      None.

    • 8. How long do ongoing fees continue post departure?

      The table below is pursuant to retirement villages legislation (and applicable retirement living types – refer to answer to Q2 of FAQs) only.


      Service/Maintenance Fees

      Ongoing Fees for Personal Services 

      (e.g. Serviced Apartment Services Fee)

      ACT

      For non-registered interest holders, 42 days from permanent vacation, unless the unit is sold or occupied earlier.


      For registered interest holders, 42 days from permanent vacation, unless the unit is sold or occupied earlier. Then from the 43rd day, the resident and the operator share responsibility for payment in the same proportions in which they are to share in any capital gain, until the unit is sold or occupied.


      Residents are not registered interest holders if:

      • Their residence contract is a lease and the resident gets less than 50% of any capital gain); or
      • Their residence contract is a licence.

      In the event of temporary absence, 28 days after the resident’s absence.


      In the event of moving out, until the resident moves out.


      In the event of death, until the operator is notified of the resident’s death.

      NSW

      Same as in ACT.

      Same as in ACT.

      NT

      Legislation is silent.

      Residents must not be charged for costs which are not incurred by the retirement village in their absence.

      Qld

      90 days from vacation, unless the unit is sold or occupied earlier.  Then, from the 91st day to 9 months after vacation, the resident and the operator share responsibility for payment in the same proportions in which they are to share in the resale price (before deductions), until the unit is sold or occupied.

      Until the residence contract terminates, or if the residence contract terminates because of death, 28 days after death.

      SA

      If the resident is entitled to a refund of their entry price, 6 months after the resident ceases to reside, unless the unit is sold or occupied earlier.

      In the event of temporary absence, 28 days after the resident’s absence.


      In the event of moving out, until the resident ceases to reside.

      Tas

      Legislation is silent.

      In the event of temporary absence, if the resident has given at least 30 days’ notice to the operator of their intended absence, until the resident temporarily ceased to reside. If the resident has not given notice, and is absent for a continuous period of at least 30 days, until 30 days after the resident temporarily ceased to reside. 


      In the event of moving out, until the resident ceased to reside.

      Vic

      For non-owner residents, 6 months after vacant possession, unless the unit is sold or occupied earlier.

      28 days after the resident ceases to be a resident.

      WA

      For non-owner residents, the later of 3 months from permanent vacation, or 3 months from the date the operator is given evidence of death (in the event of death), unless the unit is sold or occupied earlier. 

      In the event of temporary absence, until the resident temporarily ceased to reside.


      In the event of moving out, until the date of permanent vacation.

    • 9. What are the aged care funding requirements (if any)?

      The table below is pursuant to retirement villages legislation (and applicable retirement living types – refer to answer to Q2 of FAQs) only.

      ACT

      None.

      NSW

      Same as in ACT.

      NT

      None.

      Qld

      None.

      SA

      A resident can apply for any refund of their entry price that is required under their residence contract, if they have been approved to move into an aged care facility, are required to pay a refundable accommodation deposit, and they do not have “ready access to funds” or their personal finances would be “seriously affected by” a requirement to make the payment. 


      The early payment is paid within 60 days of the operator receiving the resident’s application (which must be made within 60 days of the later of being approved for entry into the facility or leaving the village) and is limited to the amount needed to secure entry into the aged care facility (up to an amount that is a reasonable assessment of the unpaid refundable entry price, taking into account any capital gain entitlement, capital loss liability and departure fees). 


      Any funding towards your refundable accommodation deposit would be deducted from your departure entitlement.

      Tas

      Where a resident enters aged care, the position is similar to that in SA, however the application must be made within 10 business days of leaving the village and the early payment is made within 45 days of the operator receiving the application. The Director of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading may extend the time for payment if the early payment would cause serious financial hardship to the operator. 

      Vic

      A resident who has paid a refundable entry price under their residence contract, and has been approved to move into an aged care facility, can apply for funding of any daily accommodation payments due to the provider up to 85% of the amount of the unpaid refundable entry price (taking into account any capital gain entitlement, capital loss liability and departure fees) as reasonably estimated by the village owner calculated according to their estimate of the current market value of your residence right.


      Any funding towards your daily accommodation payments would be deducted from your departure entitlement.

      WA

      None.

    • 10. What is the refund/buyback period (if any)?

      The table below is pursuant to retirement villages legislation (and applicable retirement living types – refer to answer to Q2 of FAQs) only.

      ACT

      Residents who are not registered interest holders are entitled to any refund of their entry price that is required under their residence contract, at 6 months after vacant possession, unless the unit is sold or occupied earlier. The refund would be less departure fees, although any capital gain entitlement is not due until the until is sold or occupied.


      If the payment would cause the operator undue hardship, they may apply to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal for an order to extend the payment time, or allow the payment to be made by instalments. In making their decision, the Tribunal may consider the hardship this would cause the resident.


      Residents are not registered interest holders if:

      · Their residence contract is a lease and the resident gets less than 50% of any capital gain); or

      · Their residence contract is a licence.

      NSW

      Same as in ACT, except that the relevant Tribunal is the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

      NT

      None.

      Qld

      A resident is entitled to receive their exit/departure entitlement at 18 months after the termination date, unless the unit is sold earlier. The payment would take into account any capital gain entitlement, capital loss liability and departure fees.


      An operator may apply to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal for an order to extend the period for payment of the exist entitlement if special circumstances exist.

      SA

      From 1 January 2017, a resident is entitled to receive their exit/departure entitlement when a period of 18 months has elapsed since the resident ceased to resident in the retirement village, unless the unit is sold earlier. The payment would take into account any capital gain entitlement, capital loss liability and departure fees.


      An operator may apply to the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal for an order to extend the period for payment of the exit entitlement if special circumstances exist.

      Tas

      Residents are entitled to any refund of their entry price that is required under their residence contract, at 6 months after the residence contract is terminated, unless the unit is sold or occupied earlier. The refund would take into account any capital gain entitlement, capital loss liability and departure fees.


      The Director of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading may extend the time for payment if the early payment would cause serious financial hardship to the operator.

      Vic

      Residents who are non-owners are entitled to any refund of their entry price that is required under their residence contract, at 6 months after vacant possession, unless sold or occupied earlier. The refund would take into account any capital gain entitlement, capital loss liability and departure fees.


      However, if the clauses in Schedule 1 or 2 of the Retirement Villages (Contractual Arrangements) Regulations 2006 have been inserted into the residence contract (which give the resident more control over the sale process such as the right to appoint an independent agent and set the resale price), any refund is not due until the unit is sold or occupied, unless an earlier period is agreed.

      WA

      None.

  • Glossary

    • 11. What do the terms mean?

      Entry Fees

      Fees you pay to the owner/operator when you move in.

       

      Note: if you request to use a garage, carport or car space not provided with the unit, a separate fee may apply. Fees to third parties are not covered by the information provided on this website, e.g. any stamp duty or security deposit.

      Departure Entitlement

      What you’re entitled to receive from the owner/operator after you leave (less departure fees), e.g. upon settlement to a new resident.

       

      Refer to answer to Q10 of FAQs which outlines any statutory ‘buyback’ periods.

      Departure Fees

      Fees you pay to the owner/operator upon departure (set-off against your departure entitlement). Other fees may apply.

       

      Note: Post-departure fees may also apply, e.g. there may be a continuing obligation on you to pay ongoing fees for a certain period after you leave. Refer to answer to Q8 of FAQs which outlines any statutory caps.

      Deferred Payment

      Frequently called a deferred management fee (or DMF), this is the income return the owner/operator receives for developing and managing the business of a retirement village, which is deferred until departure instead of charged upfront, to make it more affordable upon entry. Rather than a lump sum payment, the fee accrues over time. GST may apply.

       

      The owner/operator may contribute a proportion of the deferred payment into the long-term maintenance fund.

      Long-Term Maintenance Fund Charge

      Also called Capital Improvement Fund Charge/Major Maintenance Fund Charge/Refurbishment Fund Charge/Reserve Fund Charge/Sinking Fund Charge.

      Separate charge which is paid into a fund to pay for longer term maintenance, or maintenance, repairs or replacements of a substantial but infrequent or irregular nature.

      Long-Term Maintenance Fund Fee

      Also called Capital Improvement Fund Fee/Major Maintenance Fund Fee/Refurbishment Fund Fee/Reserve Fund Fee/Sinking Fund Fee.

      Separate fee which is paid into a fund to pay for longer term maintenance, or maintenance, repairs or replacements of a substantial but infrequent or irregular nature. Instead of a separate fee being charged, a proportion of the deferred payment or service/maintenance fee may be paid into a long-term maintenance fund.

       

      Note: whether it is calculated on a pro-rata daily, monthly or yearly basis is not covered by the information provided on this website, and you will need to make your own enquiries with the village operator.

      Ongoing Fees

      Ongoing charges you pay to the owner/operator during residency, which may be subject to annual increases.  

       

      Note: other charges may apply, e.g. charges for optional services.

      Optional Services

      Additional services provided or made available by the operator to individual residents that you may choose to receive on a user-pays basis.

      Personal Services

      Services provided or made available by the operator to individual residents that you may choose to receive (e.g. by moving into a serviced apartment), which are funded from ongoing fees.

      Pre-Paid Rent

      A non-refundable upfront payment.

      Rental

      Charge for your occupancy right granted by the owner, which for a rental unit (as opposed to a rental village) may be available as an alternative to the standard contractual arrangement with an entry price (and a deferred payment commonly being charged upon departure).

      Serviced Apartment Services Fee

      Fee for personal services provided to a serviced apartment, such as cleaning, laundry and meals.

      Service/Maintenance Fee

      Contribution towards the day-to-day expenses of running the village (e.g. village staff, village insurance, maintenance of communal areas and facilities, and upkeep of communal gardens). Common practice across states is for annual fee increases to be by CPI unless approved by a majority of residents at a residents' meeting. It’s similar to a strata/body corporate fee in a strata block.

       

      Note: you may need to pay for maintenance, repairs or replacements of your unit and upkeep of any personal garden area/courtyard, and you will need to make your own enquiries with the village operator.

      Site Fee

      Fee which covers day-to-day running costs of the village and rental for the site.

      Strata Fee

      If the tenure is strata title, a separate strata fee may be charged, if it is not included in the service fee, to cover strata title costs, e.g. common property costs.

      Upfront Payment

      Instead of a deferred payment, an upfront payment (in addition to the entry price) may be charged, as an alternative contractual arrangement. 

  • Compare Retirement Villages Fees and Contracts with Compare Villages

    It can certainly be a difficult decision when it comes to choosing the right retirement village, especially when you have important factors such as fees and contracts to consider. No one wants to make the ‘wrong’ choice and be stuck in a contract you don’t understand or end up having to pay surprise costs.

    At Compare Villages, we focus on the things that matter, so that you don’t have to worry. Our website allows you to compare retirement villages’ legal and fee information, both clearly and simply. Our comparison service allows you to see and compare the entry fees when you move in, ongoing fees while you live there and departure fees when you leave. We also feature an easy-to-use departure entitlement calculator which gives you an estimate of you what you can expect to receive when you leave.

     

    Payment and Contract Obligations

    Please note that while Compare Villages provides financial information which comes directly from the retirement living operators, any extra costs or fees from third parties are not covered on our website. We simply provide you with the information you need to compare the retirement village specific contractual arrangements and fees, including ongoing service fees.

    In the same way that each village differs, so too does the retirement villages legislation in each of the states. Compare retirement villages in NSW, VIC, QLD and we’ll help you make the right choice for you. Transparency, education and simple comparison to help you make an informed decision is our number one priority when it comes to the Compare Villages offering.

     

    Contact Compare Villages for More Information

    We understand that every retiree is uniquely different, which is why we are committed to providing future retirement village residents, their families and representatives with the information they need to make this life changing and rewarding decision. With so many incredible communities to retire in Australia, Compare Villages is here to help with any queries you may have regarding what’s involved in moving into a retirement village.

    Talk to the team today for more information!