Purchase of Retirement village Apartment
Empowering Your Golden Years with Legal Expertise You Can Trust
We help you and your family navigate the legal decisions that matter most.
How to Get Started
Our Fees
All fees include GST. Pay within 7 days for our discounted rate — normal fees (20% more) apply after that.
| Service | Discounted fee |
|---|---|
| Retirement Village — Occupation Right Agreement (purchase of right to occupy, no land title) | $1,800 |
| Plus AML: $276 (1 person) · $322 (2 people) | |
See the fee chart for full details of extras and disbursements →
Accept Our Fees & Terms
Take a look at our fee chart and terms of engagement. If you are happy to proceed, click below — we will get started straight away.
Prefer a detailed, itemised quote first? Request your free quote →
We Handle the Rest
We review your Occupation Right Agreement, provide the independent legal advice required before you sign, and explain all key terms in plain English.
Retirement Village Purchases
A retirement village purchase is not the same as buying a house — independent legal advice is essential.
When you purchase an apartment in a retirement village, you are entering into an Occupation Right Agreement (ORA) — a licence to occupy the apartment, not a transfer of title. You have a 15 working day cooling-off period after signing, and you must receive independent legal advice before signing.
The financial structure of an ORA is very different from a standard property purchase. You need to understand the Deferred Management Fee (DMF), which can range from 20% to 30% of the purchase price and is deducted when you leave. Most agreements also mean you do not benefit from any capital gains on the property.
- Enhanced social life — communal spaces, activities, and opportunities to form new friendships
- Convenience and accessibility — easy access to transport, shops, healthcare, and on-site amenities
- Safety and security — gated entrances, surveillance, and emergency response systems
- Access to healthcare — on-site medical services and a range of care options as your needs change
- Financial predictability — maintenance, insurance, and some utilities consolidated into a single periodic fee
- Significant financial commitment — purchase price, ongoing weekly fees, and the Deferred Management Fee on exit
- No capital gains — most agreements mean you do not benefit from property value appreciation
- Reduced privacy and independence — shared facilities and village rules may restrict certain activities
- Distance from established networks — relocating may mean moving away from family, friends, and familiar community
- Uncertainty around care levels — if you need a higher level of care, is an apartment available in the village? What are the full terms and financial costs of transferring? If you need to move to another village, how do you fund it before your apartment is sold?
We provide the independent legal advice that is required before you sign an Occupation Right Agreement. We review the ORA and explain the key terms in plain English — including the Deferred Management Fee, weekly fees, what happens if you need higher care, and what happens when you leave. Our goal is to make sure you understand exactly what you're committing to, so you can make an informed decision.
Considering a retirement village?
We'll review your Occupation Right Agreement, explain everything in plain English, and give you independent legal advice before you sign.
Ready to Talk?
Request a personalised quote online, ask us anything, or if you’re a new client, book a free 15-minute meeting to meet our team and see if we’re the right fit.
The introductory meeting is a chance to meet our team — it is not for legal advice.