Frequently Asked Questions about retirement villages

The Essentials

What is a retirement village?

A retirement village is a community of homes and facilities designed for anyone who is over 55 years old and still active enough to live independently in their own home. As a resident of one of our retirement villages, you will benefit from added security, a community environment and additional features like community facilities and customisable services.

Further reading: Wellbeing benefits of living in a retirement village

Who can live in a retirement village?

A retirement village is suitable for a person who is 55 and over, whether retired or still working part-time.

Can you still work and live in a retirement village?

Yes, absolutely. We have many residents who are still actively working while living in their retirement village.

Further reading: Here's an article about a resident who is a practising GP.

How do retirement villages work?

Retirement village operators in Australia might be privately owned, not for profit or publicly listed companies. Each state has its own Retirement Villages Act for the operation of villages within that state.

Keyton is a highly credible, publicly listed Australian company, that has been building communities since 1966.

Are retirement villages aged care facilities?

A retirement village is designed for people over 55 who can live independently in their own homes while enjoying the shared facilities and benefits of village living. In contrast, residents who live in residential aged care facilities (including nursing homes) require a level of daily care for their health and safety. Entry into government funded aged care is based on an assessment by a government-appointed Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT).

Further reading: Retirement villages: they’re not aged care!

How to choose a retirement village?

There are a few questions you can ask yourself to help you find a village that's right for you. These include your preferred home design, how active or social you'd like to be; what facilities you’d like to enjoy and your preferred geographical location; be it urban, regional or coastal. Keyton has over 75 villages across Australia, from established villages to brand new developments and our premium Ardency option. To get started, find a Keyton retirement village near you or contact our friendly customer service team on 1800 550 550 and we can help you find your perfect option.

Further reading: How do I choose a retirement village?

Can visitors stay with me in the retirement village?

This is your home, so friends and family are most welcome to stay with you. Of course, other residents appreciate the fact that they know who their neighbours are, so for extended stays, residents need to talk to their Village Manager and let them know who is staying and for how long.

For example, if your visitor is staying more than 30 days, it will need to be documented and discussed with the Village Manager.

Can I visit a retirement village to see if it’s right for me?

Absolutely. We offer personalised and private tours that allow you to explore the village and become familiar with the facilities on offer. Call us on 1800 550 550 on click here to arrange your personalised appointment.

How will my life change if I move into a retirement village?

Moving into a retirement village can have a positive impact on your life. Research tells us that strong social relationships can help us live longer and have a better chance of resisting and fighting disease.

Village life is designed for socialising, with a year-round calendar of events and common spaces for connection. Of course, relaxation and downtime are a valued necessity so you can be involved as much or as little as you like. Villages are typically situated close to amenity, making life more convenient and residents have access to a range of health and wellness initiatives including the service provider of their choice.

Further reading: How will my life change if I move into a retirement village?

What to look for in a retirement village?

When trying to find out which are the best retirement villages, you should always focus on what is most important for you. Whether that is a specific location, available units, certain amenities or even friends and family who are already living in a retirement community, the choice is yours to make. If you don't know where to start, we recommend speaking to our friendly customer support team who can guide you in the right direction.

You can call them on 1800 550 550 or send them a message.

Cost & Ownership

Do I own my house or apartment?

When you buy into a Keyton retirement village, typically Keyton owns the land and homes. The “right to reside” in the home on a lease or licence is then sold to you, as the resident.

A resident might own a lease, purple or strata title over the home. The ownership options available range from village to village, so the easiest way to gain clarity is to ask the Sales Manager at the village you’re thinking of moving to.

Further reading: Do I own my home and will it be liveable for years to come

What are my contract options for moving into a retirement village?

When you choose to move into a Keyton retirement village, you can usually choose from four different ways to buy your new property.

These options are the Prepaid Plan, The Deferred Management Fee, Refundable Contribution and Pay as You Go, available in select Serviced Apartments. View further information on these contracts.

Further reading: Retirement living on your terms.

What are the costs of living in a retirement village?

The cost of living in a retirement village will vary depending on the contract you choose and the size of house you choose to live in.

There are also several costs associated with living in a retirement village besides the price of your home. The main costs to consider are service fees, establishment fees, and management fees.

When and how you pay these will depend on the contract you choose to take out. Further costs to take into account include legal fees, reinstatement costs, selling costs, GST and stamp duty.

Can you rent in a retirement village?

We do not offer rentals, however we do offer a range of contract options, including the Pay As You Go contract. Available at select villages only, Pay As You Go requires you to pay a security deposit, a non-refundable establishment fee, monthly service fees and monthly instalments. Your security deposit will be returned to you within 60 days after you permanently vacate the village. You won’t need to worry about potential capital gains or capital losses in relation to the property, or have any selling pressures.

There are also some Keyton villages where a resident might own a freehold, purple or strata title over the home. The options available range from village to village, so the easiest way to gain clarity is to ask the Sales Manager at the village you’re thinking of moving to.

It is always best to speak with the village Sales Manager regarding contract options so if you’d like to know more, contact us on 1800 550 550.

What if we move to a Keyton retirement village and then decide it’s no longer for us?

We want you to be confident that you’ve made the right decision. That’s why if you buy into a leasehold village and decide that retirement living is not for you within your first 6 months, you can end your contract, move out, and we guarantee to refund the price you paid plus any upfront fee.

All you’ll pay is service fees and fair market rent for the duration of your stay and costs to repair any damage above fair wear and tear. Depending on which state you live in, the Retirement Villages Act and your contract will allow you a settling in period during which you may decide to leave the village, without paying a management fee.

For example, this may be a 90-day period, or as long as 12 months. Should you decide to leave during this time, you will have to pay your maintenance fees (or equivalent “rent”) and you will have to leave your home in good condition, paying for any damage that may have occurred during your occupancy. You will however not receive any money for your home until it is re-sold.

What are exit fees?

Exit fees most commonly refer to the Deferred Management Fee or DMF. A contract with a DMF allows you to defer payment of the Management Fee until after you have left the village, suiting those who wish to buy a retirement home at a more affordable price and defer part of the cost of living in a village to a later date.

The amount of the Deferred Management Fee (or exit fee) is dependent on the price of the home, how long you live in the village, and whether you opt to share in any capital gains or not. Keyton retirement villages offer a range of contracts, including no exit fee contracts. Find out about our contract options or contact the Sales Manager at your village of choice to find out more.

Further reading: Retirement living on your terms

Can I be forced to leave the village?

While it is possible under the Retirement Village Act, it is not a decision made lightly. Sometimes circumstances change and it is no longer the best option for someone to be living in a village, especially because the ability to live independently is a fundamental requirement. Any situation like this would involve the resident, their family and their doctor, if appropriate.

What is the Retirement Villages Act about?

It’s important to know your rights when living in a retirement village. The Retirement Villages Act is the state-based legislation created to protect your rights. It informs all owners and operators of their obligations to residents and requires them to conduct their business within a strict framework.

If you would like a copy of the Retirement Villages Act, please contact the appropriate legislative body in your state or call us on 1800 550 550 and we can help you find it.

What happens if I have an issue or a complaint?

Each state has its own legislative requirements in relation to dispute resolution and complaints handling. A copy of our complaints and internal disputes resolution processes are readily available at each village. In accordance with NSW legislation and regulations, a copy of our complaints and internal disputes resolution processes for our NSW village is available here. In most villages, there is also a Resident's Committee which operates on behalf of the residents.

Services & Facilities

What amenities and facilities are available in Keyton retirement villages?

Keyton retirement villages connect you with the best wellness initiatives, amenities and facilities to help you make the most out of your retirement. Each village is different, but facilities at your village may include swimming pools, hairdressing salons, bar areas, bowling greens, billiards rooms and business centres equipped with computers and internet access.

Every village is designed with convenience in mind, so facilities are easy to access from residential areas. Health and happiness are an important part of village life at Keyton, so many villages run group activities including yoga, Tai Chi, gentle movement, circuit, walking groups, cycling groups, social groups, sports and other excursions.

To find out exactly what’s on offer at the village you’re looking at, contact your sales manager.

What type of care and support services are offered?

One common misconception is that a retirement village is a de facto aged care facility with nursing staff on call 24/7. They are not, as all our villages are designed for independent living. However, recognising that once living in a village, the last thing a resident want is to leave because of a health-related problem or a loss of mobility.

So Keyton has formed partnerships with care service providers who offer support to residents when needed. Having care delivered to village homes (including meals-on-wheels) helps residents continue living independently in the village for as long as possible.

Are transport services available?

The beauty of Keyton villages is they are mostly located within close proximity to public transport, medical facilities and shopping centres. Most villages have a resident mini-bus which has a busy weekly roster of social trips and shopping outings.

Is there caravan storage?

Part of the benefit of living in a Keyton retirement village is being able to lock up and leave to travel. Many of our villages have dedicated parking for vans or trailers, but it’s important to check this before you move in, as each state is different.

Further reading: Life without limits: the retirement travel boom

Can I bring my pet to a retirement village?

Small to medium sized pets are usually welcome at Keyton retirement villages. Each pet must be approved by the Village Manager before taking up residency.

There are some cases in which pets are not allowed, so check with the village you’re looking at moving to before you make any decisions.

What if I require emergency assistance?

Keyton has teamed up with a world-class emergency call system provider to establish new in-home emergency call systems. Please check with individual villages for further details. Not only for emergencies, this system provides residents with immediate connectivity to skilled operators, who can talk through a problem or take action to send assistance. There may be a cost associated with establishing and running this system. The village manager can provide more information.

Home Design

What kind of homes are available at Keyton Retirement Villages?

You can choose from a variety of home styles at Keyton retirement villages. These vary from village to village, but generally consist of apartments, freestanding or attached homes, and Serviced Apartments. Apartments and homes can consist of one, two or three bedrooms, while Serviced Apartments are often one-bedroom units. These are available for those who would like to enjoy village life, but need a hand with meals, laundry and cleaning.

Further reading: Find out more about Serviced Apartments.

Can I make changes to my home?

Yes, you can. You will just need to have variations or changes approved by the village manager so that all the relevant standards and regulations are met.

Can I tour homes?

Yes, you can. You can view our current properties for sale here and organise a tour to find the perfect design for you.

Call us on 1800 550 550 on click here to arrange a personalised tour of a village of your choice.