Signing contracts is something we do throughout our lives. You sign one when you get a job, when you buy a car or when you buy a house. And you’ll also sign one when you move into a retirement village. The only difference is that you’re not just buying a home, you are buying into a community and your lifestyle.
We offer three types of retirement village plans, so you can choose the buying option that suits you best. But before you sign your contract, it's important to understand the details. That’s why our sales managers are here to help you consider the options, so that you can decide which one is right for you.
Our sales managers are available to answer any questions that you may have about the different contract options.
No two people are the same. Some like to plan, and some like to go with the flow. And it's no different when it comes to retiring. That's why you can choose from our 3 ways to buy your new retirement home. The power is in your hands to plan and enjoy your retirement how you want.
You can choose from:
*The Growth Plan is not available for Serviced Apartments.
One thing to understand about moving into a retirement village is that it is not about making a profit from your property investment. But in some villages, you could have an option to share in capital gain (50%), depending on the village and type of contract you choose.
While retirement villages aren’t the same as the traditional property market, it is important to remember that you are buying a lifestyle along with your home. And you’ll benefit from retirement village life, including security, support and an active, happy retirement as part of a ready-made community.
While we’re here to answer your questions and help you understand your options, it’s important to seek your own independent professional legal and financial advice. Engaging a trusted solicitor and financial adviser and talking to your family will help you make the right decision before you sign your contract.
After weighing up the options, asking all the questions and signing your contract, we want you to be happy and confident in your decision. And with the protection of a cooling-off period between 7 to 10 business days (depending on the state), you’ll have a bit of time to sit with your decision and make sure it’s the right one for you.
Moving into a retirement village is a significant life decision that requires an understanding of the legal framework that applies to our communities.
Every state in Australia has a Retirement Village Act (RVA) that outlines the rights and responsibilities of both residents and operators, ensuring a fair and transparent environment. The Retirement Living Code of Conduct provides additional protection, offering a comprehensive guide to the legal landscape of retirement villages as well as proving an independent pathway for handling complaints.
The Retirement Village Acts
The individual state-based Retirement Village Acts were established to provide a clear, robust legal framework for the operation of retirement villages across Australia. Its primary objectives are to protect the rights of residents and ensure that operators adhere to specific standards and regulations.
The different state-based Retirement Village Acts aim to:
State-based Retirement Village Acts regulate various aspects, including:
Read more: Residents have a say in village life
As mentioned, the Retirement Village Acts vary by state and you can find more information on your state's government pages:
Additional security with the Retirement Living Code of Conduct
The Retirement Living Code of Conduct provides an additional layer of security for residents, including guidelines and standards that operators must follow to ensure a high quality of living and fair treatment of residents These guidelines have been developed by retirement living operators in close collaboration with residents of these villages and is endorsed by both the Property Council of Australia and Ageing Australia. It covers all aspects of a residents’ experience in a retirement village: from signing the plan and moving into a retirement village, the onsite living experience, to leaving a village and re-selling the unit or apartment.
Keyton is a proud signatory to the Retirement Living Code of Conduct and wholly supports its intention to make the retirement living sector more transparent and accountable, as well as providing a pathway for complaints to be heard and addressed in a fair and balanced way.
“The Code helps operators maintain open and positive relationships with residents and ensures residents are kept across news and updates about their village and that complaints can be heard and solutions actioned where required,” Keyton CEO Nathan Cockerill says.
Find out more about the Retirement Living Code of Conduct
Retirement villages under regulated? No way!
These Acts, along with the Retirement Living Code of Conduct, offer comprehensive guidelines and standards that promote transparency, fairness and high-quality living conditions. On top of this, we are also subject to federal and state consumer protection and fair-trading laws.
Understanding these regulations is essential for both current and prospective residents. By familiarising yourself with the Retirement Village Acts and the Code of Conduct, you can gain peace of mind, knowing that your interests are safe with us.
The information contained in this article is general in nature and subject to change following its publication. It does not explain all contractual terms and conditions and is not specific to you and your circumstances. Contract Plans vary across villages and some contract Plans may not be available at some villages or for some homes. We do not accept any liability for (a) any loss or damage which may be suffered by you or any other person who relies whether wholly or in part upon this article; and (b) any errors, misstatements or misrepresentations in or omissions from this article. It is not intended to be a legal or financial advice. You should seek your own independent legal and financial advice before entering into any of our contracts.
For more information about the lifestyle and support offered at our retirement villages, call our customer service team on 1800 550 550 or send us an email here.
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