Frequently asked questions

LET US BREAK IT DOWN FOR YOU

We've compiled a list of the topics you're most interested in when considering the lifestyle at a Ryman village.

If you have further questions or you would simply like to talk through the options available, please contact us we would love to hear from you. 

 GENERAL LIVING

"I have a grandson at boarding school, and he likes to come and visit and eat me out of house and home and sleep for hours. That’s been lovely as we’ve become quite close."
- Rosemary Brownie, Ryman resident

Ryman villages offer a range of living and care options. These include independent living in apartments and townhouses, assisted living in serviced apartments, resthome care and, in most villages, hospital and specialist dementia care. 

Learn more about Ryman living and care options  

Our villages are designed for residents aged 70 and over.

Yes, apartments and townhouses can have garages attached, covered parking, or basement parking available to buy. Or, if you're happy leaving your car outside, we have parking areas that are well lit and security patrolled.

Yes, as long as the village manager and sales advisor approve your pet as being suitable for the village.

Yes, we have weekly inter-denominational church services at our villages.

Our village services include a hairdressing service, a visiting podiatrist, physiotherapist, beauty therapist, and dry-cleaning service available at your own cost.

Yes, for short periods of time.* As a courtesy, we ask that you consult with the village manager first.

*Please click here for the latest Covid-19 guidelines. 

You’re always welcome to raise any concerns directly with any team member, including the village manager. Alternatively, Ryman villages have a formal complaints procedure and a resident advocate. We hold regular meetings with residents to discuss any concerns.

No. Ryman is proud to  have created thriving retirement villages in New Zealand. Our residents love living there – which is why we’ve been voted New Zealand’s Most Trusted Brand for Aged Care for a 9th time. We understand a need for retirement rentals but have no plans to offer this as retirement village payment option at this time.

Yes. There is legislation that covers you when you buy a retirement property as well as once you move into one of our retirement villages. At Ryman we also understand you might change your mind after moving into one of our villages, so we offer a 90-day money-back guarantee*.

Under the Retirement Villages Act 2003, if you change your mind within 15 working days of signing your occupancy agreement you can cancel your agreement and we guarantee to refund your deposit in full.

*Conditions apply

 CARE

"I’ve got to say the care that my husband has had all the way through has been absolutely marvellous. The girls that look after him, they’re angels, they really are."
- Margaret McDermott, Ryman resident

There are no set visiting hours.* This is your home, so visitors are welcome any time. The amenities are available for you to enjoy with your friends and family. We just ask that you respect the privacy of other residents.

*Please click here for the latest Covid-19 guidelines. 

As well as independent living, Ryman villages also offer assisted living in serviced apartments, resthome care and, in most villages, hospital and specialist dementia care. So, even if your needs are different you can still be near your partner or friends. Should an immediate space be unavailable, we will do our best to accommodate you at another Ryman village until a space becomes available at your preferred village. 

Learn more about our living and care options.

Yes, residents will enjoy priority access over non-Ryman residents at the time of transfer to assisted living in serviced apartments, resthome, hospital and specialist dementia care. Should a space be unavailable at the time of your transfer, we will do our best to accommodate you at another Ryman village that provides the level of care you need until a space becomes available at your preferred village that provides that same level of care.

Many of us will be unsure about where to begin when the time comes where care is needed. We’ve put together a step-by-step guide to provide you with a simple guideline. From assessing your care needs and costs to moving into a care centre, we’ve got everything covered.

Typically, the care centre opens within a year of the first residents moving in. You can contact the village manager for more information.

 FINANCIAL

Good question. At Ryman, we have many different living options to suit your budget and your retirement needs. Independent living in a townhouse or apartment gives you the freedom and independence of being in your own home but still be part of a thriving retirement community. You may find assisted living apartments are the best option for you or a loved one – with more support and help plus a daily main meal. There’s also rest home care at Ryman , hospital care and specialist dementia care in some retirement villages. We also offer aged care respite at Ryman Healthcare. If you are unsure which retirement living option is best for you or a loved one then please get in touch with us or explore retirement villages nearby.

Prices vary dependent on each village, so we recommend that you ask for the price of apartments or townhouses that are currently available in your preferred village. An interest-free advance gives you the right to occupy your apartment or townhouse for life and access to community amenities.

Yes.  When you purchase an occupation right to an independent townhouse, apartment or serviced apartment in assisted living in a Ryman village we charge a deferred management fee (DMF). It’s referred to as a departure fee or exit fee that’s payable when you permanently vacate your retirement townhouse or apartment. Our fees are capped, with our standard fee of 20% one of the lowest in the industry. Try our DMF calculator to see how we compare to other village operators. Wondering if there are retirement village payment options? Talk to one of our helpful sales advisors when you are looking to purchase and discuss your payment options.

Often referred to as a departure fee or exit fee, the deferred management fee (DMF) is an amount that becomes payable when you permanently vacate your unit.

The deferred management fee gives you the right to occupy your unit and enjoy the village amenities. It is calculated as a percentage of your occupancy advance (entry payment) that you pay when you move into your unit.

At Ryman villages, the standard deferred management fee is capped at 20% - one of the lowest in the retirement sector. 

We pay for the building insurance, as well as the general rates and water rates. You are responsible for insuring your contents and personal effects.

We’re happy to say that in nearly 40 years this has rarely happened. However, if you change your mind after moving in, we will honour our 90-day money-back guarantee.*

*Some conditions apply

You are charged a base weekly fee that covers maintenance such as rates, gardening and community amenities as well as services in the village, exercise programmes and some social activities. This fee should be factored into your retirement village cost when you’re looking to move in. The actual fees differ among living options and villages. However, when you move in – your base weekly fee is fixed for the entire time you occupy your apartment or townhouse in the village.

Find out what’s included in your living option package when you are looking at retirement village prices. Assisted living apartments at Ryman include housekeeping, morning and afternoon tea and a daily main meal plus there are regular outings to the shops and further afield. There are optional extras around care and extra meals that will incur a cost. Independent living residents will have utility costs such as broadband, phone and power. However, your weekly fees cover expenses like rates, water and building insurance as well as ground maintenance.

You and your family aren’t exposed to any capital loss of an apartment or townhouse when it is on-sold. Plus, if you vacate your independent retirement living apartment or townhouse, your retirement village weekly fees stop immediately. Find out more in our Peace of Mind Guarantees.

 ACTIVITIES AND ENTERTAINMENT

"We’ve just had a cocktail party and a roast dinner night. How do you choose what’s your favourite? There’s always something happening."
- Rosemary Brownie, Ryman resident

Triple A (Ageless, Active, Aware) is Ryman’s bespoke exercise programme that is available to all Ryman residents. The programme improves strength, flexibility, balance, and agility through classes such as functional fitness, circuit and, if you’re less mobile, a ‘sit and be fit’ class.

In addition to Triple A, you can also take advantage of various village amenities such as the heated indoor swimming pool, gym and bowling green. 

Our Engage activities programme creates social opportunities and fun activities for you to take part in. From musical entertainment, and a variety of outings, to arts and crafts, the village workshop and our weekly Happy hour, there’s something for everyone.

Absolutely. We maintain strong links with our surrounding communities because we want you to continue being involved in the activities and clubs you’ve always enjoyed. Therefore, we support bowls clubs and various sports clubs and groups in our local communities.

You can be as involved in activities and events as much or as little as you like. It’s entirely up to you.

 HOSPITALITY

Ryman residents look forward to mealtimes because the food tastes great – and it’s nutritious. Our Delicious menu is prepared fresh on site by village chefs, with a choice of three main courses, including a vegetarian option. Residents living in our care centres have their meals fully catered for, and assisted-living residents enjoy a main meal and morning and afternoon tea every day. Independent residents can book a meal at their village any time.

Absolutely! Our Delicious frozen meals are a great option if you’ve had a busy day or if you’d simply like a night off cooking. These individually frozen meals are made from scratch using fresh, natural ingredients and can be purchased from your village reception, shop or café.

Our village vans schedule regular outings to the shops and further afield. Plus, we are introducing Ryman eCabs to our villages. You can book this service and feel safe in the knowledge that you’ll be driven to appointments or outings by our dedicated driver. This is an ideal service if you’d rather avoid driving in peak traffic or parking in city centres.