Retirement villages

Decisions about retirement villages are very important. They have long-term personal and financial consequences. If you're considering retirement villages, you'll find that it's different from buying a house. Different villages are managed in different ways and offer a variety of housing, facilities and services. Legal and financial issues are also more complicated. You need to know what you're entitled to before entering a village. In many cases, residents do not share in any capital gain when they leave or transfer within the village. Deductions from the original price paid for a unit are also common. In addition there are ongoing relationships between residents, owners, management and staff to take into account, as well as the lifestyle offered.

This section of Sorted includes information based on the Retirement Villages Act 2003. You'll find helpful information from how to find the right retirement village to how to sign up.

In this section, you'll find information about:

• Getting started
  Find out what retirement villages offer, and take a brief look at the Retirement Villages Act. You'll also find some tips for starting your search here.
• Costs
  Find out about the costs involved, including entry, transfer and leaving charges, as well as the everyday costs of village life.
• Legal matters
  Learn about the different legal titles and the various ways you can buy into a retirement village.
• Village management
  A look at how villages are managed, including management agreements, the statutory supervisor, village rules, the involvement of residents and complaints and disputes processes.
• Lifestyle
  What kind of lifestyle do you want to have after you've moved in? We offer tips on finding the village that best suits your needs.
• Signing up
  Found the right village? Then it's time to sign up! Changed your mind? Find out when and how you can cancel the agreement.
• Checklists
  Our financial and lifestyle checklists make it easier to find the right retirement village for you. Don't forget to check our quick list of things to do if you sign up.