Frequently Asked Questions
Applewood - Luxury Retirement Villages
We have collated some of our most frequently asked questions about life at Applewood & over 55 living in general. Including buying a retirement home, having pets, our accreditation, costs & other independent living questions. While we hope you find this information useful, it is not a substitute for your legal documentation which will properly determine all your rights and obligations. This information is available from Applewood upon request. If you have any other questions regarding over 55 independent living, contact our friendly team.
When is it the right time to move into a retirement village?
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.
Generally, you are more than welcome to have family & friends stay with you. If your friends or family are staying for an extended period you will need to discuss this with the Village Manager.
For the protection of all our Residents and as part of our Health & Safety procedures and Evacuation processes, guests are logged with Applewood administration.
Am I responsible for council rates at Applewood?
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.
Will I own my own home at Applewood?
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 lifetime lease, whereby the right to reside is granted for the Resident's lifetime. Under the Act and the Residence and Management Contract entered into by the Resident, the Resident has security of tenure for the Resident's lifetime.
As there is no transfer of title, no Stamp Duty is payable.
Is there a resident's committee at Applewood?
Our Applewood Residents Committee (ARC) represents the interests of the wider Applewood resident population in meetings with Applewood management and work tirelessly on their behalf to introduce programs, or events that better the community.
Applewood is a vibrant community that cares for each other, and the Applewood Residents' Committee have played an integral part in developing a caring approach to community living.
What is accreditation?
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/community 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, and
- 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/community 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, and
- 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.
What makes Applewood secure?
Our residents tell us that one of the key reasons they love living at Applewood is the peace of mind and reassurance our gated community provides. Applewood offers onsite staff 24 hours / 7 days a week who are fully qualified to assist in emergency support and can escalate any medical or security issues if required.
Where can I download an Applewood Brochure?
Our new Applewood Brochure is now available for download. Full of useful information including a comprehensive overview of Applewood's relaxed lifestyle, location, services and amenities.
Click here to discover how you can enjoy your life and your lifestyle today.
Can we bring our own pet?
Applewood is a pet-friendly village. We understand that being able to bring a pet is an important factor when deciding to move and we have many residents who enjoy all of the many benefits of pet ownership and we have a soft spot for all of our furry residents.
A small dog or cat is very welcome at Applewood. Each circumstance is unique and we suggest that you discuss your pet with our Village Manager to ensure you understand the Pet Policy at Applewood.
Is there a monthly fee?
Applewood Residents pay a monthly service fee and capital replacement fund contribution.
Service fees fund the day to day operation of the Village and cover 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 upgrading to the Village. This fund ensures that the current high standard of finish and presentation is maintained for many years to come.
Is public transport readily available?
At Applewood our residents are fortunate to have public transport services located just metres from the front gate at Tram road, Doncaster. The #903 bus operated by Public Transport Victoria (PTV) takes residents directly to Westfield Doncaster bus terminus where they can then use the PTV network to transit to the various Melbourne locations including Box Hill station where they can access the Metro Train network or use the #903 to travel via the Eastern Fwy to the CBD or airport.
We also provide all our residents access to our own complimentary bus service that takes residents to Westfield Doncaster and The Pines.