The choice to move into a retirement village is an individual one, and every new resident has their own story to tell. However, the most resounding comment we hear at Applewood is that every resident wishes they had made the move years earlier.

For some, the choice is a practical one such as changing circumstances in their home becoming too difficult to maintain. Issues such as personal safety and security, and feeling a loss of community as neighbours and friends move on, are themes that are often spoken about to us. Another aspect is our health and wanting to make the most of our retirement years and maximising our time to truly enjoy life with like-minded people of similar age and interests.

We have a number of residents who are still in full time work, but who like to take advantage of the extensive facilities and amenities at Applewood while they’re young and transitioning into retirement. 

Others are in part time work or are starting to reduce their hours in preparation for the adventure of retirement. The transition to retirement can take an extended period of time, and making the decision to move sooner rather than later can make things even easier when the time comes.

In addition to the purchase price of your new home, you will be required to pay for:

• Removalists
• Connection fees
• Optional connections such as Internet
• Legal costs

All charges are disclosed in our Fact Sheets which you will be given as part of your visit to the village.

Under the Retirement Village Act (RVA) 1986 there are a number of ways in which ownership can be held. Examples include leasehold, strata, loan licence and Company Share etc. 

Examples leasehold, strata, loan licence, Company Share, etc.

Click here for a copy of the Act. 

Applewood is a leasehold village, Residents sign into a 99 year lease, whereby the right to reside is granted for a period of 99 years.

As there is no transfer of title, no stamp duty is payable, and security of tenure is provided by means of the Residence and Management Contract, which is regulated by the Act.

Applewood residents pay a monthly Service Fee and Capital Replacement Fund Contribution.

The Service Fee funds the day-to-day operation of the village, and covers expenses similar to those for an owners' corporation. Items like public liability insurances, gardening, maintenance, contracts for essential services, monitoring of the emergency call system, the costs of a Village Manager and other staff, are included in the Service Fee.

The Capital Replacement Fund Contribution is used to pay for, among other things, improvements to the village including maintenance, repairs, replacements, renovations, additions, variations and upgrades. This fund ensures that the current high standard of finish and presentation is maintained for many years to come.

Applewood residents are responsible for payment of their own rates, which are billed directly from Manningham Council.

Water is billed directly to the resident from Yarra Valley Water.

Utilities such as phone, Internet, and electricity, are set out in your monthly account and run off our embedded networks. The utilities are operated as user pays.

Eligible residents can apply for reductions in their electricity bill via the Non-Mains Electricity Concession rebate scheme.

Applewood is a Quality Innovation Performance Limited (QIP) accredited village. 

QIP is a not-for-profit independent provider of community and health service accreditation in Australia.

Being QIP accredited means that our retirement village is committed to a comprehensive program which involves:

• Engaging our team and residents to review our organisation’s systems and processes
• Opening our doors to allow a team of independent assessors to review how our organisation operates
• Assessment of our organisation and achievement of meeting a nationally recognised set of standards that focuses on quality, engagement, privacy and safety.

Living in a QIP accredited village means you have peace of mind knowing our team is committed to:

• Providing you with high quality services and support in a safe environment
• Strengthening our engagement with residents and the community
• Embracing diversity while being respectful and understanding of differences
• Constantly improving to create positive outcomes.

Look out for the QIP Accredited Symbol or our accreditation certificate. Our team and our residents are proud of this achievement, and as part of this process we continuously strive to make quality improvements to better the village environment.

To learn more about QIP accreditation, visit www.qip.com.au.