No capital loss
- You’ll never take a loss, even if the property market declines
- Any capital gain stays with Arvida
- The repayment amount is known from day one
The money side
of things
At Arvida, our rule of thumb when it comes to the financial process is no surprises.
Moving into a retirement community is a big decision, and understanding the financial side is just as important as choosing the right home.
This page explains how the process works, including the main costs, what your contract means, and the protections that are in place for peace of mind.
On this page:
How the process works
Before you move in
- $2,000 fully refundable deposit paid when you apply for a home and held in trust by the Statutory Supervisor.
- Entry payment This is the balance of the Licence to Occupy for your chosen home. The amount varies depending on the home type and community.
Move in early (if needed)
If you need to move into a Serviced Apartment of Care Suite before your family home is sold, this can be arranged:
- Simply pay a further $15,000 partial entry payment and move in immediately
- The remaining balance is payable within two months, or earlier if your family home settles sooner.
While you’re living here
Your ongoing costs may include:
- Your weekly fee (indexed or fixed – explained in the ‘Costs and Fees’ section of this page)
- Any optional extras (such as power)
- Any additional services or care you choose
- Personal living expenses, such as contents insurance or subscriptions
Everything is clearly outlined in your Occupation Right Agreement (ORA).
When you leave
You’ll receive your repayment sum, which is:
- Your original entry payment
- Minus the Deferred Management Fee (DMF)
- Minus any outstanding charges
There are no ongoing fees once you’ve moved out.
Understanding the legal side of things
Retirement community costs and fees
Weekly fees: two options, one clear choice.
You choose your weekly fee type when you sign your ORA.
Indexed weekly fee
- Starts lower
- Adjusts annually in line with NZ Superannuation
- Never increases by more than the Super rate
For example: If NZ Super increases by 3%, a $200 weekly fee would increase by $6 (3% of $200 = $6)
Fixed weekly fee for life
- Locked in from day one
- Never increases
- No inflation or operating cost rises passed on to you
What your weekly fee includes
- Community activities and events
- Resident-led wellness programmes
- Council rates (including water)
- Building and common area insurance
- Repairs and maintenance, including gardens
- Wi‑Fi in communal areas
- Regular security
- 24-hour emergency call monitoring
Deferred Management Fee (DMF)
The DMF contributes to:
- Management of the community
- Ongoing maintenance and security
- Refurbishment and resale of your home when you leave
Our standard DMF:
- Capped at 30% of your entry payment (unless otherwise agreed)
- Capped at 4 years for Villas, Townhouses, Living Well Apartments and Apartments
- Capped at 2 years for Serviced Apartments and Care Suites
There are:
- no creeping fees
- no charges once you’ve moved out
Your weekly fees and DMF stop the moment you've moved out, removed your belongings and returned the keys.
Set repayment timeframes for built-in certainty
Arvida has introduced set repayment timeframes for ORAs.
Standard repayment option
- Applies to ORAs entered into from 19 December 2025
- 12-month repayment timeframe for independent living homes
- If your home hasn’t resold within 12 months of vacating, we will repay you (less deductions) within 5 working days of the 12-month anniversary (Care Suites already operate on a 3-month timeframe.)
Optional earlier repayment
- Choose repayment at 6 months
- Higher DMF applies
- Repayment is made within 5 working days of the 6-month anniversary
All options and conditions are clearly outline in your ORA and should be reviewed by your lawyer.
Peace of mind
Statutory Supervisor protection
Each Arvida community has a licensed, independent Statutory Supervisor who:
- Holds land‑based security over the village
- Monitors financial risk and performance
- Oversees unresolved complaints and AGMs
Their role is to protect residents’ financial interests.
Flexible as life changes
If your needs change, you’ll have priority access (over non‑Arvida residents) to Arvida care centres, subject to availability and assessment.
Moving within Arvida
If life changes, your home can change too.
- Transfer within or between communities
- Move closer to family or into higher care
We’ll guide you through the process and costs
Frequently asked questions
We believe financial clarity builds trust
If you'd like to talk things through, we're always happy to help.
No pressure, just honest conversations.