Common questions, clear answers

You’re welcome to make your unit feel like home, but what you can change - and what needs approval - depends on the type of unit and the scale of the changes.

New units

If you’re buying “off the plan” or moving into a brand-new unit, you may be able to choose from a selection of colour schemes, fittings and finishes before construction is completed. Some villages also allow limited customisation.

Refurbished or existing units

For units that have already been lived in, décor such as carpet, paint colours and curtains is usually refreshed by the village as part of the refurbishment. If you would prefer alternative colours or finishes, this is often possible but may need to be discussed with the operator before you move in. 

Changes after you’ve lived there for a while

You can personalise your home with your own furniture, artwork and soft furnishings.

If you want to make bigger changes, for example repainting walls, replacing carpet, or installing a new kitchen or bathroom, these generally require approval from the village operator. This is to make sure changes meet safety requirements, future maintenance needs, and any reinstatement obligations when you leave the village. 

Many operators are happy to work with residents on improvements, as long as they’re planned together and completed to an agreed standard.

You can continue to go to work while living in a retirement village. If, however, you intend to work from home you should make sure the village rules allow this and ask the manager what the village policy is. One reason for this is possible council restrictions on residential dwellings used for places of business. Increased visitor traffic may also inconvenience other residents, as will any noise associated with a trade. Many residents will be spending much of their day at the village, and will want to protect its peaceful environment.

When you choose to live in a village, you will be asked to enter into an ORA that sets out your rights and obligations and those of the operators and managers of the village. If another organisation buys the village, they are obliged to honour these arrangements.

Most villages do not allow sub-letting or rental of a unit as it is contrary to the philosophy of village living, which promotes a constant and secure environment. It is comforting to know that all residents are permanent occupants of their units.

Residents may enjoy the convenience of a variety of facilities. These vary from village to village but can include a library, dining room, swimming pool, club house or leisure area including billiard and card rooms, a café and more.

Some villages have bowling greens, workshop areas, vegetable gardens, craft-rooms, gyms, caravan parking and other features. Many villages also offer services such as doctors, physiotherapists, hairdressers and banking. Before committing to a village you should carefully check what facilities are available and are promised.

You should ask the village about storage if this is important to you. Many villas come with their own private storage areas, but this depends on the location, size and age of the village. Some villages offer communal storage facilities.

Friends and family may be welcome to stay with you in your unit for a time and to use the communal facilities while in your company. This depends on the terms of your ORA.

Most villages offer a choice ranging from common car park areas to private carports or individual, lockable garages. There may be an additional charge for these. Villages usually provide some visitor parking.

A number of villages have boat and caravan secure parking areas, often at no charge. As space may be limited, always ask about availability.

Most village residential units have gardens immediately around them and, in most cases, you will be able to maintain the garden yourself. However, you should check with the village manager about whose responsibility it is for the maintenance of the garden or any ongoing concerns. Many villages have a residents’ workshop where people share their tools and skills.

Many villages do allow residents to bring their pets, but there are usually some conditions to make sure pets fit well within the village community. 

Your pet will normally need to be approved by the village operator and listed in your Occupation Right Agreement (ORA). Villages often have guidelines about things like pet size, behaviour, registration and how pets are managed in shared areas. 

If you’re thinking about bringing a pet, or adopting one later, it’s important to talk with the village early so you know what’s allowed and what the process is. 

Many residents find their pets bring companionship and most villages will try to accommodate that wherever they can. 

Yes. Village life brings security and freedom to travel. You can go on holiday knowing that your home and garden will be cared for while you are away. Most villages recommend that you notify the manager of a planned absence.

Many villages will have consulting rooms to allow a local doctor to see residents at the village. However, the choice of a medical practitioner remains yours, and you are not pressured to transfer to any village doctor.

For medical emergencies, many villages offer call systems in their units, and larger villages may offer 24-hour monitoring services where any emergency call is attended by a person whose experience may range from first-aid certification to full nursing experience.

All villages have rules about using the common facilities and maintaining a positive environment for everyone’s benefit. Ask for a copy of the rules before you make a decision.

Many villages have a residents’ committee that works with management to maintain or enhance the quality of village life. To participate or not is a matter of personal choice, but residents may enjoy making significant contributions to whatever facets of village life most interest them.

If a dispute arises, management works with the resident to try to resolve the issue. The Retirement Villages Association has a disputes resolution process and a more formal system is set out in the Retirement Villages Act.

The regular ‘outgoings’ or weekly fee contributes to some running costs of the village. These costs may include the upkeep of the village facilities, maintenance of the village grounds and gardens, staff wages and salaries, statutory charges such as council and water rates, security costs, ACC and public liability insurance, and common area insurance for the entire village.

The basis of calculating the ‘outgoings’ or weekly fee varies from village to village and is fully explained in your ORA. The fee is generally reviewed annually as the village operator plans the budget for the year ahead. Some villages offer a weekly fee fixed for life.

The Retirement Villages Act requires operators to provide residents with annual financial statements and budgets. These are usually presented and discussed at the village’s Annual General Meeting.