Questions to Ask on a Retirement Village Tour
A good retirement village tour should leave you with clear answers in three areas: daily life and community (what an ordinary week actually looks like), the financial and contract terms (entry payment, weekly fees, exit costs), and future care (what happens if your needs change).
The best approach is to write your questions down before you arrive, ask the same questions at every village you visit, and request everything in writing rather than relying on memory afterwards.
At The Botanic Hibiscus Coast, prospective residents are welcome to bring this list along to the Rimu Apartment Open Evening on Saturday 27 June (4pm to 6.30pm) or the Spring Open Weekend from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 September, and the sales team will work through every question with you in detail.
Introduction: Why the Right Questions Matter More Than the Brochure
By the time you book a retirement village tour, you have probably already done a fair amount of homework online. You have read the website, looked at the floor plans, and perhaps compared a few villages on paper. But the tour itself is where the real decision-making happens, because this is where you get to ask direct questions and see how honestly and thoroughly they are answered.
This matters more than people sometimes expect. A retirement village is not a short-term decision. More than 53,000 people currently live in retirement villages throughout New Zealand, and most are planning to stay for a decade or longer. Getting clear, specific answers before you commit is one of the most important things you can do to feel confident in your choice.
Yet many people find that once they are standing in a beautifully presented show home, with a friendly sales manager and a tempting morning tea on offer, it’s easy to forget the practical questions they meant to ask. That is completely normal; it happens to almost everyone. The solution is simple: write your questions down in advance, bring the list with you, and ask the same questions at every village on your shortlist so you can compare the answers fairly.
This guide sets out the questions worth asking in three key areas, plus a printable checklist you can take with you on tour. We will also tell you exactly how The Botanic Hibiscus Coast answers each of these questions, and how you can put these questions directly to the sales team at one of two upcoming open events: the Rimu Apartment Open Evening on Saturday 27 June, 4pm to 6.30pm, or the Spring Open Weekend, Friday 25 to Sunday 27 September.
Section 1: Daily Living and Community Questions
This is where most people start, and for good reason. Day-to-day life is what you will actually be experiencing, so it deserves the most attention on your tour.
What does a typical week look like for residents?
Ask the sales manager to walk you through an actual weekly activities calendar, not a generic description. Are there clubs and groups that residents themselves have started? Is participation optional, or does it feel like there is pressure to join in?
At The Botanic, the activities programme is largely resident-led. The Hub hosts regular sessions including art classes, a Ukulele Group, a Travel Club, card and board games such as Bridge, 500, and Mahjong, and a variety of exercise groups – from Armchair Yoga to Strength, Balance and Agility and Dance Fitness classes. The Clubhouse Cafe runs Tuesday@Two events featuring guest speakers on topics ranging from health to travel and history. A wide range of social events in The Clubhouse are put on by residents, including regular events such as the Whiskey Appreciation Group and Housie. Ask to see the current month's calendar; if a village cannot produce one readily, that tells you something.
Can I talk to current residents, without a staff member present?
This is one of the most telling questions you can ask. A village that is confident in the experience it offers will have no hesitation in letting you speak to residents directly, ideally without a sales representative hovering nearby. You’ll find residents are actually the people who meet, greet and show you around at The Botanic, with Sales team members available to chat to in each of the showhomes.At The Botanic, The Clubhouse Cafe is open to the public seven days a week from 8am. This means you do not need to schedule a formal appointment to experience the atmosphere; you can simply visit, have a coffee, and observe how residents and staff interact naturally.
Studies show that sharing meals doesn't just address issues of loneliness; it may also help to increase nutritional intake, so it’s worth asking whether communal dining is available and, if so, whether you can try it during your visit. The Botanic has an official village communal table on Saturday evenings, so book in for dinner and ask if you’re able to join!
What are the floor plans actually like, and how do they compare?
Ask to see a genuine range of floor plans, not just the show home. Pay attention to storage, natural light, indoor-outdoor flow, and whether the bathroom and kitchen are designed with future mobility needs in mind.
At The Botanic, homes include one, two, and three-bedroom single-level duplex villas with internally accessed garages, and one, two, and three-bedroom Rimu apartments. If you are touring during the Rimu Apartment Open Evening on 27 June, you will be able to walk through the apartment floor plans in person and ask detailed questions about layout, finishes, and specifications on the spot. You may wish to make some changes to a villa or apartment – for example, creating a painted or wallpapered feature wall, changing two dish drawers to one larger dishwasher, or adding a wine fridge or changing a cupboard’s layout etc. Village management staff welcome efforts to make your villa or apartment your own, and are very accommodating of these at The Botanic, but be sure to talk them through with the Sales team.
What security and safety measures are in place?
Ask specifically about 24-hour emergency call systems, after-hours contact arrangements, and how the village handles things like a resident not answering a wellness check. Is there overnight security personnel on hand, is the village gated or secured somehow from vehicles or non-residents walking around?
Are pets welcome?
For many people, this is a non-negotiable. Ask about any restrictions on type, size, or number of pets, and whether there are facilities like a dog walking area.
Can family and grandchildren visit and stay?
Ask whether overnight guest accommodation is available, and whether there are any restrictions on visitors, including grandchildren staying over school holidays. At The Botanic we are often asked, ‘are they allowed to use the pool?!’ The answer of course, is yes!
Section 2: Financial and Contract Questions
This is the section where it pays to be the most thorough, and where the answers you receive can vary significantly from village to village. Every registered retirement village in New Zealand operates under the Retirement Villages Act 2003, but the specific financial terms within that framework differ considerably between operators.
What is the entry payment, and what exactly does it include?
Ask for a clear, itemised breakdown rather than a single headline figure. The exact fees and inclusions vary between villages, so it is worth asking the sales manager for a breakdown of what is covered.
What is the weekly fee, and is it fixed for life or variable?
This is one of the single most important financial questions you can ask, because it has a direct and ongoing impact on your budget for as long as you live in the village. Weekly fees are required to increase with proper notice if the village's terms allow for increases, so it is worth establishing upfront whether your fee is fixed or can change.
Ask specifically whether the weekly fee covers interior maintenance of your home, or only the exterior and grounds. Weekly fees typically go towards costs like insurance, rates, and exterior home maintenance, as well as amenities, staff wages, and other village services, but the exact inclusions vary between villages.
At The Botanic, the weekly Village Fee is $185 per week (discounted from $215 while the Manuka Care Centre which will offer hospital-level, rest-home and memory care is under construction) and is fixed for life. It includes rates, water rates, building insurance, upkeep of the grounds, both internal and external maintenance of your home, upkeep of all communal facilities, rubbish removal, security, and the salaries of all staff who deliver village services. Even a 20% discount at The Clubhouse Café is built into the fee.
What is the Deferred Management Fee, and is there a cap?
Ask for the exact percentage charged per year, the maximum cap, and whether there are any additional exit costs such as refurbishment or marketing fees on top of the DMF. Industry guarantees vary - so make sure you understand the terms of the DMF and what this will mean for you and your loved ones in the future.
At The Botanic, the DMF is calculated at 10% per year for three years, capped at a maximum of 30% of the entry payment. There are no refurbishment charges on exit, excluding wilful damage or deterioration beyond fair wear and tear.
What happens if I want to leave shortly after moving in?
Ask whether there is a money-back guarantee period, and exactly what conditions apply. At The Botanic, a 90-day money-back guarantee applies: if a resident decides within 90 days that the village is not the right fit for them socially, they receive a full refund with no DMF charged.
How long would it take to receive a refund if I left the village?
Ask about the typical timeframe for resale and refund. This is an area currently under review by government. The Retirement Villages Amendment Bill is expected to be introduced into Parliament by mid-2026, with proposed changes including a maximum repayment timeframe to give residents greater certainty.
Am I exposed to any capital loss, and do I share in any capital gain?
Under a standard Occupation Right Agreement, the village operator is responsible for costs such as rates, insurance, and exterior maintenance, and typically retains the capital gain when a unit is resold. Ask directly whether any capital gain-sharing arrangement applies, and under what conditions.
Is the village registered, and who is the Statutory Supervisor?
The Retirement Villages Act requires all retirement villages to be registered with the Registrar of Retirement Villages, and residents are not protected by the Act if they are living in an unregistered village. You can verify a village's registration directly at the Companies Office retirement villages register. Ask who the Statutory Supervisor is and what role they play in protecting your interests.
Am I required to get independent legal advice?
Yes, this is a legal requirement, not an optional extra. The Retirement Villages Act requires lawyers to provide advice to intending residents on the general effect of the agreement before you sign. Ask whether the village facilitates this process and whether you will be given a disclosure statement to take to your lawyer well in advance of signing.
Section 3: Future Care and Support Questions
This is the area many people are reluctant to think about during a tour, but it is one of the most important to address upfront. Choosing a village that can support you well into the future avoids the stress and disruption of needing to move again later on.
Does the village offer a continuum of care?
A key consideration when comparing villages is whether they provide several levels of care so that residents do not need to move elsewhere if their needs change. Ask specifically whether resthome, hospital-level, and dementia or memory care are available on site, or only at a separate facility.
At The Botanic, a future Manuka Care Centre on-site with an aged care home with hospital-level care and specialist memory care suites is in development, aiming to be completed in 2028. This means residents who choose The Botanic can plan with confidence, knowing that a higher level of care will be available within the same familiar community if it is ever needed.
Is there a registered nurse or clinical support on site now?
Ask whether there is qualified clinical support available day to day, separate from any future care facility. At The Botanic, an on-site Registered Nurse with more than 20 years of hospital and community nursing experience is available for appointments and general health queries. She can see you in her clinic at The Botanic, or visit you in your home.
Our Sales Manager Michelle provides guided tours
What home-based support services are available?
Residents who are assessed as needing care can typically receive home-based support in almost every village, but the scope and cost of this support varies. Ask what services are available, how they are arranged, and what the additional costs would be.
How does the village handle changing mobility needs within a home?
Ask whether homes are designed with features like step-free access, wider doorways, or adaptable bathrooms, and whether modifications can be made later if needed.
What is the process if my partner needs a higher level of care than I do?
This is a sensitive but important question for couples. Ask specifically how the village supports couples where one partner's needs change before the other's, and whether they can remain close to one another within the same community.
Section 4: Printable Tour Question List
Print this list, or save it to your phone, and bring it with you to every village you visit. Asking the same questions everywhere makes it far easier to compare your options fairly afterwards.
Daily living and community
What does a typical weekly activities calendar look like?
Can I speak to current residents without a staff member present?
Is communal dining available, and can I try it during my visit?
What security and emergency call systems are in place?
Are pets welcome, and are there any restrictions?
Can family stay overnight, and are there restrictions on visitors?
What floor plans are available, and how do storage and natural light compare across unit types?
Financial and contract
What is the exact entry payment for the home I am considering, and what does it include?
Is the weekly fee fixed for life, CPI-linked, or variable at the operator's discretion?
Does the weekly fee include interior maintenance, or only exterior and grounds?
What is the Deferred Management Fee percentage and the maximum cap?
Are there any additional exit costs beyond the DMF?
Is there a money-back guarantee period, and what conditions apply?
What is the typical timeframe for resale and refund after I leave?
Do I share in any capital gain, or am I exposed to capital loss?
Is the village registered with the Companies Office, and who is the Statutory Supervisor?
Will I be required to get independent legal advice before signing?
Future care and support
Does the village offer a continuum of care on site?
Is there a registered nurse or clinical support available now?
What home-based support services are available, and what do they cost?
How are mobility needs accommodated within the home design?
What happens for couples if one partner needs a higher level of care before the other?
Download: If you would like a print-friendly version of this list, please click the link below, and you will be able to download and print our list of questions to ask on a retirement village tour, wherever you plan to visit.
Free Download - Questions to Ask on a Retirement Village Tour
Bring This List to The Botanic Hibiscus Coast
There are two upcoming opportunities to put these questions directly to The Botanic's sales team and see the answers for yourself.
Rimu Apartment Open Evening: Saturday 27 June, 4pm to 6.30pm. This is a focused opportunity to walk through the Rimu apartment floor plans in detail, ask specific questions about layout and finishes, and meet the team in a relaxed evening setting.
Spring Open Weekend: Friday 25 to Sunday 27 September. This larger event gives you the chance to tour the full village, including the villas, the amenities, and the wider grounds, and to speak with current residents about life at The Botanic. Special offers are often available exclusively over open weekends, so it is worth asking the sales team what is currently on offer.
At both events, Michelle and Kathryn will be on hand to work through every question on your list in as much detail as you need, with no pressure and no rush. Independent legal and financial advice is actively encouraged before any commitment is made, and the $5,000 hold deposit required to secure a home is fully refundable if you choose not to proceed.
To register for either event or to arrange a private tour at another time, call 0508 268 264 or visit the contact page at thebotanic.co.nz. The Botanic is located at 17 Small Road, Silverdale, Auckland.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important question to ask on a retirement village tour?
There is no single most important question, but if you only had time for a few, focus on whether the weekly fee is fixed for life, what the Deferred Management Fee structure and cap are, and what level of care is available now and in the future. These three areas have the biggest long-term impact on your financial position and your peace of mind.
Should I bring someone with me on a retirement village tour?
Yes, this is strongly recommended. Bringing a family member or trusted friend means you have a second set of ears, and someone to discuss your impressions with afterwards. It is always useful to discuss your options and decision with your immediate family, other relatives and friends before making a final choice.
How many villages should I visit before making a decision?
There is no fixed number, but most guidance suggests visiting several villages, ideally more than once each, and at different times of day, before narrowing down your shortlist. Asking the same set of questions at each one is the best way to compare your options on equal terms.
Can I attend an open day or open evening without committing to anything?
Yes. Open days and open evenings, including The Botanic's upcoming Rimu Apartment Open Evening and Spring Open Weekend, are designed to be a relaxed, no-obligation opportunity to explore the village, ask questions, and get a genuine feel for the community. There is no expectation that you will make a decision on the day.
What should I ask the sales manager about fees specifically?
Ask for a complete, itemised breakdown of the entry payment, the weekly fee and what it includes, the Deferred Management Fee structure and cap, and any additional costs that might apply on exit. A good sales manager will be able to answer all of these clearly and provide written documentation to take away.
Is it normal to feel pressured during a retirement village tour?
No, and if you feel pressured, that is worth taking seriously as a signal. A reputable village will give you time to think, encourage you to visit more than once, and actively support you in seeking independent legal and financial advice before you commit to anything.
What documents should I ask for before I leave a village tour?
Ask for a disclosure statement, a copy of the village rules, a written breakdown of all fees and costs, and a sample Occupation Right Agreement to take to your lawyer. At The Botanic, this documentation is provided as standard as part of the sales process.
To register for the Rimu Apartment Open Evening on Saturday 27 June or the Spring Open Weekend on Friday 25 to Sunday 27 September, call Michelle or Kathryn on 0508 268 264 or visit thebotanic.co.nz/contact-us. The Botanic is located at 17 Small Road, Silverdale, Auckland.
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