Before signing a residence contract

A person considering moving into a retirement village will be provided with some important documents before they are asked to sign a residence contract. Legal and financial advice should be sought before a prospective resident signs a residence contract.

At least 10 days before a person enters into a retirement village residence contract, the operator of the retirement village must give the person a copy of the following:

the residence contract
the disclosure statement
if the contract relates to a retirement village already established:
- the financial statements presented at the last annual meeting of residents and a written statement of any subsequent changes
- a copy of the minutes of the last 2 annual meetings of residents
the residence rules
the policy regarding remarketing of residences
any Code of Conduct to be observed by the operator or residents, and
any other document prescribed by the Retirement Villages Regulations 2017 (SA)

[See Retirement Villages Act 2016 (SA) s 22]

These documents should be read thoroughly and understood before signing the residence contract.

Some of these documents are outlined in more detail further in this chapter.

Before signing a residence contract : Last Revised: Tue Sep 23rd 2025
The content of the Law Handbook is made available as a public service for information purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal advice. See Disclaimer for details. For free and confidential legal advice in South Australia call 1300 366 424.

Legal Help for all South Australians

Refine results

Search by

Before signing a residence contract

Connect with us