Retirement villages vs aged care
Retirement villages and aged care aren’t the same thing.
Our Pay As You Go contract explained
Friday, 12 December 2025
If flexibility and financial freedom sound good to you, our Pay As You Go contract could be just the thing.
When it comes to retirement living, finding a contract that suits your lifestyle and financial situation is just as important as choosing the right community.
We know that not everyone wants to commit large sums of money upfront - and that’s where our Pay As You Go option comes in.
If you're looking for a flexible way to enjoy retirement living without the need to sell your home or part with significant capital, Pay As You Go could be the perfect fit.
What is Pay As You Go?
Think of Pay As You Go as your ticket to retirement living without the long-term commitment. Available at select villages and on certain homes, it gives you the freedom to move in without selling your house or other assets first.
All you need to get started is:
- A fully refundable security deposit
- A one off, non-refundable establishment fee
- Ongoing monthly payments
When it’s time to leave, your security deposit comes straight back to you.
How does Pay As You Go work?
It’s simple. You pay an upfront amount, then cover your stay with regular monthly payments. It's a bit like renting, but with all the perks of village life.
There’s no need to sell your home before moving in and when you decide to leave, there are no exit fees or deferred management fees (DMF) to deal with. Just your security deposit returned in full.
Is Pay As You Go available everywhere?
Not quite. It’s only available in select villages and on certain homes, so it’s best to check with the sales team about availability in your preferred location.
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How is Pay As You Go different to other contracts?
We offer four different ways to move into one of our retirement communities - to give you choice when deciding how to buy your new home. The power is in your hands to enjoy retirement exactly the way you want it.
Pay As You Go stands out for being low commitment and flexible. Here’s a quick look at how it compares:
What are the exit fees with Pay As You Go?
None. Zero. Zip. That’s the beauty of Pay As You Go - no exit fees when it’s time to leave.
If you’re looking at other contract options, it’s worth keeping exit fees in mind as part of your decision making.
➡️You can read more about the exit fees that apply to some Keyton contracts (but not Pay As You Go!).
Does Keyton offer rental options?
Retirement village rentals aren’t part of Keyton's offering. Instead, we have a range of contract options so you can choose what works best for you in the long run. Pay As You Go is the closest contract type we offer to renting.
➡️Read more about why Keyton doesn’t offer retirement village rentals.
Are there any hidden fees?
There are no hidden fees. At Keyton, we pride ourselves on being upfront and transparent. With Pay As You Go, you get full access to village amenities, services and community events - with no hidden costs.
And when it’s time to leave the village, you won’t be hit with any exit fees or deferred management fees. Plus, your full security deposit simply comes back to you.
Is PAYG right for me?
Pay As You Go has many great benefits, but also a few things to keep in mind.
It’s always a good idea to chat with a financial adviser before making any big decisions about your retirement plan.
➡️Read our blog about finding the right financial advice for retirees.
Why do so many retirees choose the Pay As You Go contract option?
- Flexibility: Perfect if you’re not ready to commit long-term
- Financial freedom: Keep your money working for you
- No surprises: Clear, simple costs with no hidden fees
Whether you’re testing out retirement living, waiting for the right time to sell your home or just prefer to keep things flexible, Pay As You Go gives you the freedom to live life your way.
Want to find out more about village life?
Everyone’s retirement journey is different. For Helen, Satya, Kate and Bert – four of the 15,000 residents who call a Keyton village home – making the move to a village was life changing.
They’ve shared their stories about what led them to take the leap, how they found their feet and why they now call their Keyton village the best move they ever made.
➡️ Take a look at how they made retirement living their own.
The information contained in this article is general in nature and is not specific to you. You should obtain your own independent legal advice before entering into any of our contract.
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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