Retirement Living

There are a few different types of costs for living in a retirement village with Southern Cross Care. There is the cost of the home, which is lower than the average price of a stand alone house in the area. There is also a maintenance fee which covers the cost of rates and taxes, insurance, repairs, painting and maintenance of buildings and equipment, use and maintenance of shared facilities, administration costs, cleaning of common areas, rubbish removal and replacement of hot water services. As these costs vary depending on where you live, there is a different maintenance for each village.

A retirement village provides a supportive community for people over the age of 55. In many cases a village also provides affordable housing for older people with supports they need to stay healthy as they age and continue to live at home instead of moving into a nursing home.

Retirement living is independent living in your own home, surrounded by a community of retired people over the age of 55. A retirement village is a supportive environment for older people but it doesn't come with aged care services automatically. Aged care services can be provided as home care, where you live at home and pay for services to help with health, social wellbeing and housework, or aged care can be delivered in a nursing home with 24/7 support to keep you safe and healthy.

Each site is designed for retirees or those over 55 years that are able to live independently. At least one person in the home must be retired from paid work. Living in any one of Southern Cross Care’s communities enables residents to enjoy all the normal aspects of living in your own home but without the burdens of home and garden maintenance that are required in your standard residential property. Southern Cross Care is committed to providing all residents with a secure, peaceful, friendly, private environment as a restful setting for its residents.

Residents pay an ongoing contribution to Southern Cross Care. This ongoing contribution is paid as a refundable deposit fee of between $500 and $5,000 when an application for a home is made and accepted. The balance of the ingoing contribution is paid on the date specified for settlement. The amount of the ingoing contribution varies depending on the home size, the number of bedrooms, floor plan style, location, aspect, flooring type, etc.

Nil. This is a considerable saving compared with a typical residential property purchase or a community title. Southern Cross Care is the owner and whilst residents have full occupation rights in respect of their home, there is no transfer of title at the Lands Titles Office and as a result, there is no stamp duty payable.

All residents living at a Southern Cross Care site will occupy their homes under a Leasehold arrangement, which is often referred to as a Licence to Occupy. Whilst Southern Cross Care maintains the title ownership of the property, The Retirement Villages Act and the Residence Agreement protect the residents’ tenure. Your interest in the home is secured by a lifetime lease. The rights and obligations of residents are clearly set out in the lease, and cannot be changed without the residents’ consent. This means that although the residents do not have the title to their home, each resident will have the exclusive right to occupy their home for his or her lifetime if they wish, subject only to certain exceptions set out in the Retirement Villages Act. Continuity of management is ensured by this form of contract.

Yes, in most cases. This is quite common. Our recommendation is to seek an appraisal of your home from up to three real estate agents experienced in your local area, prior to progressing with your application. By doing this you will gain an understanding of the potential value of your home, the market conditions and expected timeframe required to prepare and sell your home. Plus, it will assist you in choosing an agent you feel comfortable with.

Yes, you may choose to withdraw from the arrangements within 10 business days after signing the Residence Agreement, provided written notice is given to Southern Cross Care. Southern Cross Care will refund any money paid by you in full.

The maintenance fee is designed to simplify household budgeting by incorporating many of the typical household costs into one regular charge. Additionally, it also funds the ongoing operation of the facilities

and services provided as detailed in your Agreement.

The fee is levied to meet the cost of:

• Rates and taxes – e.g. council, water, emergency services levy
• Insurance (excluding contents) of building, common areas, plant and equipment
• Public lighting
• Repairs, painting and maintenance of buildings and equipment
• Use and maintenance of all common facilities
• Administration costs – wages for manager, administration, gardening and maintenance staff.
• Cleaning of common areas, rubbish removal
• Replacement of hot water services.

The maintenance fee is charged per week and is payable every four (4) weeks.

Residents are responsible for internal cleaning, general housekeeping, personal phone bills, contents insurance, emergency call system (in most communities), and if required, pay-TV and internet services (cabling provided).

Yes, exit fees are payable at all Southern Cross Care Retirement Living communities. As we offer a range of financial models across our retirement living portfolio, details of these costs can be discussed with the relevant Sales Consultant particular to the community you are considering.

Yes, of course. There is nothing to prohibit family and friends from visiting you in the same manner that you are accustomed. Overnight guests are also welcome.  Prior written consent is required by Southern Cross Care if those guests stay with you for more than 10 days in any one-year period.

Domestic pets are welcome in the majority of our communities, as long as prior written consent has been provided by Southern Cross Care. The organisation reserves the right to withdraw such consent should such pets cause inconvenience and annoyance to others, and the consent automatically lapses upon the death of the nominated pet.

At Southern Cross Care, we recognise that moving into a Retirement Living community is a significant decision that requires considerable effort, including research, visits, and financial considerations. Our residents often consider it their best decision. With our refer-a-friend program, you can now turn your best decision into your best advice by referring a friend to join our community, benefiting both of you with our rewards program.