Frequently Asked Questions about Aevum Retirement Village Living

What is different about Aevum Living?

How many villages do you have?

What types of accommodation do you offer?

What is the minimum age to move into an Aevum Retirement Village?

What happens if I'm not ready to accept an offer on a property?

What are the benefits of moving into an Aevum Retirement Village?

Can I reserve my new home with a refundable deposit?

Can family and friends stay?

What does the maintenance fee cover and how is it determined?

How does government legislation protect the rights of village residents?

Do Aevum villages have a Residents' Committee?

Should I seek advice?

Are pets welcome?

What is the Village Manager's role?

Will I own my unit or serviced apartment?

What is the Deferred Management Fee and how does it apply?

Is there carparking available for residents and visitors?

Is there parking available for boats and caravans?

What communal and recreational facilities are offered at Aevum Villages?

Do Aevum Villages provide medical facilities? Can I keep my own doctor?

Q: What is different about Aevum Living?

For more than 35 years Aevum Living (formerly Hibernian Friendly Society NSW) has been a key developer and operator of retirement villages and aged care facilities. Our point of difference is that we own and operate our villages and facilities, which ensures we are able to provide a higher level of service and quality care, for both our residents and in the day to day operation of our properties.

Q: How many villages do you have?

We own and manage 3,108 retirement units and 367 aged care beds across 30 villages nationally in New South Wales, Western Australia, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia.

Q: What types of accommodation do you offer?

Depending on seniors' needs, we provide five levels of care:

Independent Living: In Aevum's independent living apartments, residents enjoy an active and independent lifestyle with the convenience and security of on-call assistance and without the worry of household and garden maintenance.
Assisted Living: Aevum's serviced apartments are designed for residents who require extra support and care. This includes help with day-to-day tasks, medication assistance, preparation of all meals, transportation and heavy laundry. Serviced apartment living provides residents with the assistance they require in an independent and caring environment.
Low Care: Seniors are provided with accommodation and enhanced personal care, in addition to occasional or limited nursing services.
High Care: Aevum's two nursing homes provide high level care, 24 hour skilled nursing for less independent or frail seniors and those with more complex round-the-clock care needs.
Respite Care: Short-term stays are offered for seniors who may require help after a hospital visit, during an illness or when family members need a break. It also enables potential residents to evaluate Aevum's communities.

Q: What is the minimum age to move into an Aevum Retirement Village?

The minimum age to enter our retirement villages is 55.

Q: What happens if I'm not ready to accept an offer on a property?

Your position on the waiting list is unchanged should you decline a particular property, or the timing is not suitable for you. You will continue to be offered your property type preference when one becomes available. Your position on the waiting list remains unchanged until otherwise advised by you.

Q: What are the benefits of moving into an Aevum Retirement Village?

It is widely recognised that Aevum residents enjoy many benefits which would not be available in a large family home. Some of these include:

The reassurance of knowing that assistance is never more than a phone call away. Our villages have emergency call systems that are monitored 24 hours per day.
The burden of routine home and garden maintenance is taken care of.
The economy of sharing costs and the ability to budget on fixed outgoings for the year takes out much of the uncertainty of financial planning.
The benefit of living in a village with people who consider security, companionship and care as primary lifestyle considerations.
You can enjoy as much privacy as you desire and continue to welcome the company of family and friends into your home.

Q: Can I reserve my new home with a refundable deposit?

Yes. Aevum requires a minimum of $1000 deposit so that we can reserve your villa or apartment. We then allow you reasonable time to sell your home. Please enquire at the village of your choice for further details.

Q: Can family and friends stay?

Aevum Living Villages regard families as a natural part of village life and friendship is similarly valued. Friends and family are welcome to stay with you for a time and may use the communal facilities while in your company. However, we would appreciate that you inform the management that you are expecting house guests.

Q: What does the maintenance fee cover and how is it determined?

The regular maintenance fee covers the running costs of the entire village. These costs include the upkeep of village facilities and services, the payment of staff, statutory charges such as council and water rates, security costs and insurance including public liability and building insurance for the entire village. Details of the charges applicable and the costs they cover are available at the Aevum village of your choice. Charges are reviewed annually as management plans the budget for the financial year ahead. The budget is discussed with residents through their representatives on the residents' committee.

Q: How does government legislation protect the rights of village residents?

The Retirement Villages Act sets clear standards for the supply of information to residents, from the earliest public advertising and disclosure of details about the village, through to the supply of a clear explanation for calculating settlement deductions and refunds. All Aevum villages are compliant with the current legislation.

Q: Do Aevum villages have a Residents' Committee?

Most Aevum villages have a residents' committee that work with management to maintain the quality of village life. It is your choice whether you participate, but many of our residents bring with them a lifetime of experience and may enjoy a significant contribution to whatever facet of village life most interests them.

Q: Should I seek advice?

It is useful to discuss your decision with relatives and friends. Your solicitor can also provide independent advice on our documentation.

Q: Are pets welcome?

We recognise the value of pets and the companionship they provide, however we also recognise that domestic animals should not intrude on anyone's quiet enjoyment of their home and the village amenities. Some of our villages may exclude pets, so please enquire.

Q: What is the Village Manager's role?

Our Village Managers are responsible for the day to day administration of the village, the hiring and supervision of staff and contractors and are usually the primary contact for our residents.

Q: Will I own my unit or serviced apartment?

There are various forms of legal tenure under which our residents reside in our villages; these include registered lifetime leases, loan and license agreements and strata title. All forms of tenure are controlled by specific legislation to ensure your right to occupy is secure. Please enquire at the village of your choice.

Q: What is the Deferred Management Fee and how does it apply?

This is the term used to describe those funds deducted by the village at the time of settlement of the sale or the re-occupancy of your villa. It is the main return to Aevum Ltd for managing the village and/or providing the use of communal facilities during the course of your residency in the village.

This payment is deferred until the end of the occupancy to allow our residents better use of their cashflow throughout their life in the village. The amount of the fee varies from village to village. Our village management will be happy to provide you with an explanation of our terms relevant to the village of your choice.

It is essential that your family also understand the nature and terms of the fee to avoid any problems in the future.

Q: Is there carparking available for residents and visitors?

Most of our villages offer a choice, ranging from common car park areas to private car ports or lockable garages. All Aevum villages provide visitor parking areas.

Q: Is there parking available for boats and caravans?

A number of our villages have a secure boat and caravan parking area, but please enquire at your village of choice, as space may be limited.

Q: What communal and recreational facilities are available at Aevum villages?

Our residents treat the facilities of our villages as an extension of their own personal living space. They enjoy the convenience of a variety of facilities that may include a dining room, swimming pool and spa, coffee shop, croquet lawns and bowling greens, vegetable gardens, workshop areas and many more. There are many aspects of village living; a clubhouse or community centre are a standard feature in all of our villages, and these may include billiard rooms, internet access and libraries. Many of our villages offer services such as Doctors, Podiatrists, and hairdressing salons.

Q: Do Aevum villages provide medical facilities? Can I keep my own doctor?

Most of our villages have established relationships with local doctors who utilise our consulting rooms to visit residents in the village. This is a service of convenience for our residents but the choice of doctor remains yours at all times. For medical emergencies, 24 hour call systems are provided in villages and apartments.

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