What are retirement village exit fees?
Retirement villages usually include an exit fee when selling your home - but not all contract options include them. Read on to learn more about exit fees.
Navigating retirement village legislation and regulations
Friday, 12 December 2025
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.
In this article, we will explore the key aspects of the Retirement Village Acts, their objectives and how they vary across the different states in Australia. We will also look more closely at the Retirement Living Code of Conduct to give you a comprehensive understanding of how protected you are when moving to a Keyton retirement community.
The Retirement Village Acts
The individual state-based Retirement Village Acts were established to provide a clear 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:
- Protect the financial and personal interests of residents
- Ensure transparency in the management and operation of retirement villages
- Provide a framework for resolving disputes between residents and operators
Anne, a resident of The Aerie at Narrabundah and Secretary of the ACT Retirement Village Resident Association (RVRA), says, "I am a lawyer by training, but as a retirement village contract was not my area of expertise, we employed a lawyer to review the Keyton contract and advise us. The lawyer prepared a fantastic summary of the key provisions of the contract, and she took us through the provisions one by one. We had a few options to choose in terms of the upfront fees and exit fees and we sorted out with the lawyer what the best arrangement for us was."
Talking about her own experience, Anne says, "I advise people who are considering moving into a retirement village not to make a snap decision – but to do a lot of research and check out a number of retirement villages to see what is available. But because The Aerie was so beautiful, the view from our 2-story villa was going to be so magnificent and we didn’t have to spend months looking for a suitable place to purchase – we just signed up!"
Key provisions of the Retirement Village Acts across Australia
State-based Retirement Village Acts regulate various aspects, including:
- Entry and exit fees
- Maintenance and management of the village
- Rights and responsibilities of residents and operators
- Dispute resolution mechanisms
Read more: Residents have a say in village life
Anne highlights the importance of these provisions, noting, "I know that the ACT has legislation that provides a large measure of protection for residents of ACT retirement villages. I am also aware however that there are a range of legislative provisions in the NSW retirement villages legislation, for example, Schedule 3A ‘Rules of Conduct for Operators of Retirement Villages’ that I think would be a welcome addition to the ACT RV legislation."
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. 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 Leading Age Services Australia (LASA).
The Retirement Living Code of Conduct includes guidelines and standards that operators must follow to ensure a high quality of living and fair treatment of residents. It covers all aspects of a residents’ experience in a retirement village: from signing the contract 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!
Navigating the legislation and regulations for retirement villages can be complex, but the notion that these communities are under-regulated is far from the truth. The Retirement Village Acts provide a robust legal framework that ensure the protection of residents' rights and the accountability of operators. 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.
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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