15 Questions to Ask When Visiting a Retirement Village
Village visits can involve a lot of information in a short time. A consistent question list makes it easier to compare answers later and reduces the chance that an important practical detail is missed.
These questions are conversation starters rather than a substitute for reading the disclosure material and contract. Ask for key answers in writing and seek independent legal and financial advice before signing.
1. What will I pay to enter, live here and leave?
Ask for a complete explanation of entry amounts, recurrent charges, optional services and all potential departure deductions.
2. What legal arrangement am I entering?
Find out whether the arrangement is a lease, licence, strata title, loan and licence or another structure, then have an independent lawyer explain it.
3. Who maintains what?
Clarify responsibility for the building, garden, appliances, urgent repairs and modifications inside the home.
4. What is included in the facilities and services?
Ask which facilities are included, which cost extra, their opening arrangements and whether guests can use them.
5. Who manages the village day to day?
Understand who is on site, how maintenance or concerns are raised and how management communicates with residents.
6. How are residents involved?
Ask about resident committees, meetings, activity planning and how feedback is considered.
7. What are the rules for pets?
Check approval, size or number limits, fencing and what happens if circumstances change.
8. Can family and friends stay?
Ask about overnight visitors, longer stays, children and use of guest accommodation if available.
9. What parking is available?
Inspect resident, caravan and visitor parking and check any restrictions or fees.
10. What activities are offered—and are they optional?
Ask who organises activities, typical participation and whether residents can initiate their own groups.
11. Can I modify the home later?
Check approval and responsibility for rails, ramps, bathroom changes, mobility equipment or other accessibility modifications.
12. Can outside support providers visit?
Confirm arrangements for cleaners, carers, allied health providers and Home Care Package services.
13. What happens when I decide to leave?
Ask about notice, sale or relicensing, ongoing charges, exit entitlement timing and who controls the process.
14. Who pays for refurbishment or reinstatement?
Clarify the required standard, approval process, quotes and how costs are allocated.
Before the visit
Choose your five most important questions and send them ahead if the answers may require documents or another staff member. Bring a simple note template with one page per village. Decide who will ask, who will take notes and which parts of the community you want to see.
During the visit
Ask follow-up questions when terms are unfamiliar and distinguish current practice from what is guaranteed in writing. It is reasonable to say that you need time to consider the information. Avoid trying to read a full contract while also touring the home.
After the visit
Within a day, record your overall impression, practical fit, unanswered questions and next step. File brochures and documents together. If visiting as a couple, write individual impressions before discussing them so one person’s immediate reaction does not replace the other’s.
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Questions for yourself afterwards
Once the formal questions are answered, ask yourself: Did I feel comfortable asking for detail? Can I picture an ordinary week here? Which compromise would I be making? What was genuinely important and what simply looked impressive? Would I still consider this village if the display home had been less polished?
These reflections are subjective, and that is appropriate. Contract facts and personal fit are different forms of information; both deserve a place in the decision.
15. What happens if my care needs change?
Understand the limits of village support, nearby services and what practical options residents usually consider if independent living no longer suits.
How to use the answers
Immediately after each visit, mark each response as clear, unclear or needing professional advice. Compare villages under identical headings rather than relying on memory or overall impressions.
Need help preparing?
Retirement Living Navigator can help you adapt these questions to your own priorities, prepare for visits and organise the answers afterwards. The role is independent guidance—not legal, financial or medical advice—and the choice remains yours.
Frequently asked questions
- Should a village answer these questions in writing?
- You can ask for written information, particularly about costs, rules and processes. The contract and formal disclosure documents remain important.
- Do I still need a lawyer if I ask these questions?
- Yes, independent legal advice is strongly worth considering before signing a retirement village contract.
- Should I ask every village exactly the same questions?
- Using a consistent core list improves comparison. Add questions specific to your priorities, home and circumstances.
Need independent guidance before making a retirement living decision?
If you're feeling overwhelmed by retirement village options, fees, contracts, or family decisions, a 90-minute Retirement Living Clarity Session can help you understand your options and feel more confident about the next step. Ongoing Transition Support is also available if you'd like help beyond a single conversation.
Not sure what you need yet? You're welcome to request a complimentary 15-minute introductory call — a short, no-obligation conversation about where you're at.