Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions |
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What is the history of the Village? The development of Pakuranga Park Village began in 1984. The Village is one of New Zealand’s largest and longest standing Villages. We offer a long history of consistently high quality service within the Retirement Village industry.
Who owns and operates the Village? The Village is owned and operated by Villages of New Zealand (Pakuranga) Limited. (VONZ). VONZ owns and operates the Village as trustee for the Pakuranga Park Trust, a non charitable trading trust established in 1984.
Are you a member of the Retirement Villages Association (RVA)? Yes we are. Choosing an RVA member Village brings assurance that the Village must comply with the Retirement Villages’ Code of Practice. This is designed to ensure that RVA members operate their Villages in a professional manner.
What is a Disclosure Statement? The Disclosure Statement provides the information about the ownership, management and supervision of the Village. It includes information about the occupancy tenure, the state of the Village, the services and facilities offered and the arrangements for maintenance and refurbishment. The costs of entering, living in and what you can expect to get back after you leave are explained in the Disclosure Statement.
What is an Occupation Right Agreement (ORA)? The ORA is the legally binding agreement between the resident and VONZ as the Village operator. The ORA sets out the terms and conditions of your right to live in the Village, including what happens if you decide to leave the Village.
Should we seek advice and, if so, from whom? It is useful to discuss your options and decision with relatives and friends. Also, under the Retirement Villages Act 2003 you must receive independent legal advice before signing the ORA. The same lawyer who witnesses your signature on the ORA must also certify that they have explained to you the general effect of the ORA and its implications.
Is there a cooling-off period? Yes, there is. Should circumstances dictate, or you decide the Village is not for you, the Retirement Villages Act 2003 gives you the right to a refund if you cancel during a 15 working day ‘cooling-off’ period. The cooling-off period starts from the date you sign your ORA. Any money you have paid is held by our statutory supervisor until the cooling-off period expires.
Are there any refurbishment costs? No, unless there is damage beyond fair wear and tear.
Do I pay an extra fee when I terminate my ORA? There is no selling fee, but you will have to pay any amounts that are overdue for payment.
What is a Deferred Management Fee and how does it work? The Deferred Management Fee is effectively a onetime payment that every resident makes towards the cost of establishing the communal facilities in the Village, including the Lodge, recreation facilities, gardens and management structures. Essentially it is payment for the things that distinguish living in your own home from living in the village community with all the additional amenities you can enjoy here. The Deferred Management Fee is deducted by the Village upon the sale of your unit. It is calculated by taking 10% of your secured deposit for each of the first three years of your occupation up to a maximum of 3 years. It is prudent that your family also understands the nature and terms of the Deferred Management Fee, as the deduction will affect the amount you (and they) are left with when you leave the Village.
What does the weekly Levy cover? The weekly levy covers most of the ongoing running costs of the Village. These costs include, but are not limited to, the upkeep of the Village facilities, maintenance of the Village grounds and gardens, security costs, staff wages and salaries, statutory charges such as council and water rates, ACC and public liability insurance, and common area insurance for the entire Village.
What charges are not included in the Levy? The Weekly Levy for Villas and Independent Living Apartments does not include internal maintenance, power, phone and contents insurance. The weekly fee for Serviced Apartments does not include internal maintenance, phone and contents insurance.
What insurance do I need at the Village? You need to insure your own belongings. You do not need building insurance – that is something we arrange, and the cost of it is included in the weekly administration fee. If the buildings are damaged we will normally repair them, although there may be some circumstances where this does not happen.
Do you have Serviced Apartments? Yes.
Do you have a Rest Home? Yes and we take pride in the quality of care that our Rest Home provides.
Is your Rest Home subsidized? Yes. VONZ has a contract with the District Health Board that means we can provide rest home accommodation to those residents whose financial means and health needs are such that they qualify for subsidized rest home care. Those who do not qualify for subsidized care must pay for their own care.
Are there any plans for future development? Yes. Our Village is fortunate to have space for expansion and development. At the beginning of 2011 we completed an extension to our Lodge building. This new wing comprises 39 Independent Living Apartments, a new Community complex with indoor heated swimming pool, spa, sauna, gym, library and function area which are available for the enjoyment of all residents.
What is your point of difference to other Retirement Villages? Set on over 30 acres Pakuranga Park Village has a spacious feel. Most people think the Village is just another part of the surrounding suburbs and are pleasantly surprised to find out that it is a Retirement Village. The site is predominately flat so it easy to walk around. We offer a range of accommodation types. The self care Villas are single level and most have internal access garaging. The new Independent Living Apartments are ideally located in relation to the new communal facilities. We offer progressive forms of accommodation to service Resident’s ongoing needs with our Serviced Apartments and Rest Home. The most frequent comment we hear from our Residents, once they have moved in, is that they wish they had made the decision years ago.
You can continue to go to work while living in our Village. We do not, however, allow you to work from home. The reasons for this include council restrictions on residential dwellings used for places of business, increased visitor traffic inconveniencing other residents and noise associated with a trade. Many of our residents spend much of their day at the Village, and we protect the pleasant and peaceful environment we are proud of.
Are pets welcome? We value pets and the companionship they provide. However, we also recognize that domestic animals must not intrude on anyone’s quiet enjoyment of their home and village amenities. Pets are allowed in our Villas subject to Village management approval. Animals are not permitted in The Lodge building which includes the Independent Living Apartments, Serviced Apartments and Rest Home.
May we come and go as we please and leave our unit unattended if we are away on holiday? Village life brings security and freedom to travelers. You can go on holiday knowing that your home will be watched and cared for while you are away. All we ask is that you notify us if you are intending to be away for an extended period.
What is the Village Manager’s role? The Village Manager is responsible for the Village’s day-to-day administration, employing and supervising staff and contractors, maintaining buildings and common property, arranging leisure and social activities, ensuring rules are adhered to for everyone’s benefit and maintaining contact with residents.
Does the Village have a residents’ committee? Yes, our Village has a resident’s’ committee that works with management to maintain and enhance the quality of Village life. To participate or not is a matter of personal choice, but many residents enjoy making significant contributions to whatever facets of Village life most interest them.
How does government legislation protect the rights of Village residents? The Retirement Villages Act 2003 and its regulations are designed to protect residents’ interest and set out basic standards for operating a Village. These include disclosure of information to intending and existing residents, protections around residents’ financial interests, the details of termination arrangements, the relationship between the owner, resident and manager including the methods of dispute resolution, and residents’ rights.
Will we receive a regular statement of the Village’s finances? The Retirement Villages Act 2003 requires management to provide residents with annual financial statements and budgets. These are presented and discussed at the Village’s Annual General Meeting. Full Disclosure Documents are available on request. The Retirement Commission also provides information about retirement villages at: www.retirement.org.nz Disclaimer This information is provided as a guide only. VONZ strongly recommends that you consult and utilise appropriately skilled professional advisors. To the fullest extent allowed by law, under no circumstances shall VONZ be responsible for any direct, indirect or special loss or damage arising from, or as a consequence of, use of, or reliance upon this document. |