Tasmania
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you move in
The “Oak Tree Group” or “Oak Tree” is a private company group that develops and operates retirement villages. The founders of Oak Tree first started to develop (and operate) retirement villages in about 2004 and those founders are still directors and owners In the Oak Tree Group.
Our villages offer a safe, community-focused and low maintenance lifestyle that allows you to savour the finer things in life and get more out of your retirement.
We offer an affordable entry model that will help simplify the transition to your new home and lifestyle.
You will acquire a right to reside in the Village by entering into the "Loan and Licence Agreement". “Loan and Lease” or “Loan and Licence” are the most common purchase structures in the retirement village industry and one of those structures will be available in an Oak Tree village.
There are multiple benefits to those structures, including:
- No Stamp Duty or GST will be payable by you;
- Your exit fee will be deducted from your exit entitlement, and therefore is only payable once your villa has been resold to a new resident or we are required to pay your exit entitlement in accordance with the Retirement Villages Act 2004 (TAS);
- We will continue to maintain your villa and the village facilities and grounds;
- We will continue to promote the village to new residents; and
- Oak Tree does not charge any commission to resell your villa.
While you are purchasing a right to reside in the villa, your tenure is fully secure in accordance with the Retirement Villages Act 2004 (TAS).
Our communities are designed for like-minded individuals who are at a similar stage in their lives.
Residents are required to be over 55 years of age or retired, or if there is more than one resident acquiring the right to reside, one of them is required to be over 55 years of age.
Oak Tree offers independent living units. Accordingly, it is a requirement under our Residence Contract that you be able to live independently. Please do not hesitate to contact your village manager if you would like to discuss whether the community is suitable for you.
Oak Tree is a member of the Property Council of Australia and the Retirement Living Council.
We are committed to the Code of Conduct set by the council and the high standards required to be a member.
The retirement village legislation protects you in ways that include:
- a cooling-off period during the contracting process;
- restrictions on the process to determine (or vary) any recurrent charges payable by you;
- rights in relation to the resale of your villa;
- limits on your obligation to pay for ongoing fees after you leave the village; and
- rights for you in relation to payment of your exit entitlement (the 6-month rule).
Moving in Oak Tree Retirement Village
- A fully refundable $1,000 holding deposit for your selected villa.
- A contribution for the legal costs to prepare your purchase contract.
- Your legal costs for independent review by your solicitor of your choosing.
- Ingoing Contribution (purchase price) which is payable on commencement of your licence (less your deposit).
- The costs of any variations that you have agreed to pay.
If you would like further information regarding the costs associated with moving into, living in and leaving the village, you can request further documents from your village manager.
Once the deposit is paid, Oak Tree Group will coordinate the preparation of your Residence Contract and any ancillary documents to be provided to your solicitor.
We understand that you may need to sell your existing property before you can settle on an Oak Tree villa; Accordingly, if required by you, Oak Tree will make an agreement, subject to such a sale and agree a suitable time frame (normally 3 months) to enable that to occur. After documents have been finalised, we will make all settlement arrangements with your solicitor.
If you do not need to sell your property prior to settling with Oak Tree and have the funds available, you can complete the process sooner, however disclosure and cooling-off periods will still need to be considered.
It is a requirement that you obtain independent legal advice regarding the Residence Contracts and ancillary documents before you sign them. A Certificate of Independent Legal Advice will be included in the document package for your solicitor to complete and return.
Your Village Manager will help coordinate your move into the village to make the transition easier by assisting with the following:
- completion of the entry condition report for your new home;
- providing you with manuals for your appliances and keys for your villa and the village;
- completion of relevant paperwork so that, for example, we have a record of your next of kin and contact details for your emergency contact; and
- Helping you to complete the paperwork for your recurrent charges.
Living In Oak Tree Retirement Village
A major benefit of living in an Oak Tree retirement village is the hassle-free lifestyle and the range of services you can enjoy, from the community centre to the gardens and recreational facilities.
As a resident, you will pay a weekly recurrent charge to cover the costs associated with the lifestyle you enjoy in the village.
The services funded from the recurrent charges include:
- Management and administration of the Village;
- Maintenance and repair of the common areas of the Village;
- Maintenance and repair of units in the Village – subject to the Resident's obligation to repair and maintain the Resident's unit (in accordance with the terms of the Residence Contract);
- Control and eradication of pests in the common property; and
- Payment of property costs including rates, water, insurance and waste management.
Having the convenience of one easy payment means you don’t have to worry about a multitude of bills coming in each week.
Please contact us for further information regarding the funds that Oak Tree is required to maintain and the services that are funded from your weekly fees. Operational documents including the annual budget can be requested from your Village Manger.
Your weekly fees do not cover your own or personal utilities (telephone, electricity, gas – if applicable), contents and vehicle insurance policies or personal care services.
Oak Tree as the Village operator will cover any costs that we are responsible for under the Retirement Villages Act 2004(TAS).
Yes, unfortunately the retirement sector is not exempt from increases in the costs of living.
Each year we will review the village expenditure and give residents notice of any change to the recurrent charges.
Further information regarding the calculation of your recurrent charges can be found in the Residence Contract. Please contact your Village Manager if you would like to request a copy of any operational documents for the Village.
The village has an extensive policy which ensures all buildings, including communal facilities and accommodation units, are covered in the event of disaster.
You will be responsible for your private property, the contents of your villa, any alterations to your villa, and your vehicle. You will also be responsible for any accidental or deliberate damage to the villa.
We know how important family is and how much more enjoyment you’ll get out of your lifestyle with your pet at your side.
In the interest of other residents and their right to reside peacefully, we ask that you complete a Pet Application Form prior to your pet moving in. We will also provide you with our Pet Policy, and Agreement to read and sign prior to the approval of your pets.
Of course! We encourage friends and family to visit and stay for a short time period. In the interest of safety and security of our residents and to help visitors get more from their stay, all visitors and residents must comply with our visitor policy.
Our villages are community focused places that offer a relaxed, active and fun lifestyle for residents.
To ensure every resident continues to enjoy more from their new lifestyle, we have developed village rules which cover:
- Village living;
- Independent living;
- Your use of the accommodation unit;
- Maintenance of your accommodation unit;
- Visitor;
- Noise;
- Parking;
- Waste disposal;
- Gardening;
- Use of communal facilities;
- Resident meetings;
- Dispute resolution;
- Pets; and
- Village security.
Your Village Manager will walk you through your village’s rules when you move in.
Our villas are contemporary, sophisticated and inviting, with modern fixtures and fittings throughout. While most of our residents enjoy our villas as they come, there is the option to make alterations to your new home. Any alteration is subject to our approval and will be at your cost to install and maintain.
Your Village Manager is a friendly face who will help make your time enjoyable, stress-free and will oversee the daily running of the village, including:
- Coordinating contractors for services and repairs to the village;
- Managing residents moving into and out of the village;
- Managing the village budget;
- Managing the preventative maintenance program for the village assets;
- Management reporting; and
- Assisting in organising fun and unique social trips and activities for the village.
Of course! Oak Tree is all about getting more out of your retirement years. One of the best things about living in an Oak Tree community is the peace-of-mind that comes from knowing that your home will be as you left it when you return.
As your recurrent charge payments continue, we will continue to care for and maintain the village and the outside of your villa. If maintenance is required inside, we’ll make those arrangements with you before you leave.
For emergency purposes, we will ask that you inform your Village Manager of your time away.
Your health and wellbeing are important to us! Many of our residents require the services of visiting healthcare professionals, such as care providers, general practitioners, physiotherapists and podiatrists.
While we do not provide those services, you are able to access the services of external providers at your own cost.
Please note that any services provided by healthcare professionals are not funded by the ingoing contribution or the recurrent charge payable to Oak Tree.
The maintenance of village gardens is coordinated by your Village Manager and funded from the village budget.
If you have a green thumb and would like to tend to or add new plantings to your front or rear garden, we ask that you first have these approved by your Village Manager. Factors such as drainage and access for maintenance staff will be considered in the approval process.
Our residents’ wellbeing is our priority. In the case of an extreme emergency, you should contact the local emergency services by dialling 000.
In the rare circumstance that you require urgent repairs to your villa outside of the Village Manager’s office hours, we will provide you with a list of Oak Tree approved trades who can assist you.
Departing In Oak Tree Retirement Village
We understand that our residents’ needs change. If living independently is no longer an option and you require the care of a nursing home or aged care facility, your Village Manager will work with your family and chosen healthcare professionals to help make your transition smoother.
All or part of your exit entitlement may become payable if you are accepted into a residential aged care facility and require such funding to move to your new accommodation. Please see the terms of your Residence Contract for further information.
We understand that sometimes circumstances change. If you choose to leave your villa, you will need to give appropriate notice (at least one month) to Oak Tree.
Our objective is to make the process easy for your family. We will deal with your executors in relation to the termination of contractual agreements and exit entitlement.
Your direct debit payments for the maintenance and management of your village will cease after you vacate. Any unpaid recurrent charges will accrue for a maximum of 90 days (after you exit) and this accrued amount will be deducted from the exit entitlement payable to you (or your estate) when your villa is resold. If your villa is resold before the 90-day period passes, your recurrent charges will only accrue up until the date that the new resident pays his/her ingoing contribution for the villa.
Oak Tree will use best endeavours to resell your villa should you choose to leave. You will not be responsible for costs incurred by Oak Tree for advertising, promotion or commissions.
Oak Tree will recommend a price based on recent sales in the village and the current market conditions at that time. We will continue to review the resale value of the villa throughout the resale process and seek your agreement if we propose any changes.
If we cannot agree on the resale price at any stage throughout the resale, the services of an independent valuer may be required.
As your selling agent, we are committed to keeping you informed on your villa’s resale. We will provide you with a monthly update covering:
- Price comparisons and comparable resales within the village;
- The status of any reinstatement work and estimated completion date;
- Details of the marketing program (including details of all advertising of the premises or the village);
- The number of enquiries and tours completed through the villa; and
- Advice on the current resale price and any recommendations to update it.
When you vacate the village, you will be entitled to a payment which is referred to as your exit entitlement.
Your exit entitlement is calculated by reference to the amount you paid when you entered the village (your ingoing contribution), less the exit fee payable by you.
However, your exit entitlement may be increased (or decreased) if you are entitled to share in any capital gain (or loss) in the value of your villa. That will depend on the terms of your Residence Contract (because Oak Tree may offer different purchase options). There may be further deductions from your exit entitlement for outstanding costs, please refer to the residence contract or contact your village manager for further information.
Your exit entitlement is normally payable within 14 days of the date on which sale of your villa to a new resident is settled. However, if your villa is not resold within 6 months after you provide notice and vacant possession of the villa, then Oak Tree must effectively pay your exit entitlement to you.
All or part of your exit entitlement may become payable at an earlier date if you are accepted into a residential aged care facility and require such funding to move to your new accommodation. Please see the terms of your Residence Contract for further information.
In the event of your death, your exit entitlement will be paid to your estate. In order to make this payment to your personal representatives, we will require a certified copy of the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration.
Your exit fee is calculated on a daily basis in accordance with the terms of your Residence Contract. The Exit Fee is payable when the right to reside in the Villa is resold to a new resident and is then deducted from your exit entitlement.
This will depend on the terms of your Residence Contract. For further information please see the Village factsheet or contact your Village Manager.
Reinstatement work will be completed in your villa in preparation for resale. Replacement and repairs are undertaken to bring the villa to a marketable condition and we will provide you with written quotes for approval. We will share the reinstatement costs in the same proportion as we are to share in capital gain.
Further information regarding the resale process can be found in the Residence Contract.
