Fixed Fees at 75: Why Cost Certainty Matters in Retirement
- Longridge Country Estate
- Jun 4
- 4 min read
Retirement Living Without the Rate Shock: Why Locked-In Costs Make All the Difference at Longridge.
One of the biggest concerns for people planning their retirement isn’t just where to live. It’s how much that living will cost year after year.
At Longridge Country Estate in Paeroa, we offer something increasingly rare in New Zealand: a weekly fee that stays the same once you turn 75. For couples, it applies when both partners are 75 or older. From that point, it’s locked in for life.
No increases.
No inflation adjustments.
No surprises.
Why Fixed Fees Matter More Than Ever
Across New Zealand, the cost of living is rising fast. And council rates are leading the charge. Just look at Hamilton. Under its 2024 to 2034 Long-Term Plan, Hamilton City Council has signalled an average 15.5 percent increase in rates for the 2025–26 year. That’s not a one-off. Projections show up to four years in a row of 14.1 percent rate rises due to changes in how water services are funded. Hamilton City Council Long-Term Plan
For retirees living on a pension, steep rate increases like these can quickly stretch a limited budget and make it even harder to plan ahead.
At Longridge, the pressure of rising costs is taken off your shoulders. Your weekly fee is locked in for life once you’re 75. If you’re a couple, it’s fixed once you’re both 75. Simple as that.
Zooming Out: National Rate Rises Are On the Way
It’s not just Hamilton feeling the pressure. According to the Office of the Auditor-General, councils across New Zealand are forecasting significant rate increases in their 2024 - 2034 Long-Term Plans. In fact, the average rise predicted for 2026 alone is 10.4 percent.
These increases reflect the growing financial strain on local councils as they try to fund infrastructure and essential services. But for retirees, they also represent a creeping, long-term threat to affordability, especially when added to insurance, maintenance and utility costs.
This is where fixed weekly fees, like those offered by Longridge, can make a genuine difference. Cost certainty isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a real safeguard against a future of rising, unpredictable expenses.
Now imagine those increases alongside insurance, maintenance, lawn care and surprise repairs. It adds up fast. At Longridge, you avoid all of it. Your fee stays fixed once you’re eligible, and nearly all of those costs are already included.
What the Weekly Fee Actually Covers
This isn’t just a service charge. It’s a comprehensive weekly cost that covers nearly everything you need to live well and comfortably at Longridge:
Council rates
Water rates
House insurance
Exterior maintenance
Lawn and garden care
Access to shared amenities like the recreation centre, spa, library, gym and more
Ongoing village support and security systems
Want to know more? View our FAQs.
These are things that would typically add up quickly in a standalone home and fluctuate over time. Here, they’re bundled into a simple, reliable amount. That’s real cost clarity.
Real Savings, Less Stress
Living in your own home might seem cost-effective at first, until you factor in rising rates, insurance renewals, maintenance, gardening and unexpected repairs. A leaking roof. A new heat pump. Tree trimming. It all adds up.
At Longridge, these responsibilities and their costs are taken care of. You get to enjoy your home, your garden and your retirement without the stress of what might break next or how much it’ll cost to fix.
And while electricity and internet are your responsibility, even there you’re looked after. At Longridge, power is supplied through an embedded network. That means electricity is purchased in bulk and passed on at reduced rates, without hidden markups. It’s not just more efficient — it’s one more way we help keep everyday costs manageable for our residents, especially compared to a traditional home setup.
Security for Singles, Certainty for Couples
Whether you’re moving in solo or as a couple, the benefit is the same. Once you reach 75, the weekly fee is locked in. For couples, both partners need to be 75 to qualify, which makes planning ahead all the more important.
It’s not just about saving money. It’s about being able to confidently plan your future knowing your living costs won’t spiral.
A Simpler, Smarter Way to Retire
Retirement should be about enjoying life, not worrying about fluctuating bills or what the next council meeting might bring. At Longridge, we’ve taken the guesswork out of ongoing costs so you can focus on what matters most.
No hidden extras. No worrying what rates will be next year. Just a single, straightforward weekly fee that keeps things simple.
A Good Time to Act, Especially If You’re 75 or Close
Right now, the weekly fee at Longridge is $149 (as of June 2025). If you're 75 or older when you sign an ORA, that rate is fixed for life, even if your villa hasn't been built yet. It’s one of the few ways to secure genuine cost certainty, especially with living costs rising across New Zealand.
If you or your parent is nearing 75, it’s worth talking to us now about how to make the most of this structure.
Visit our Affordable Living page or contact us today to see why Longridge isn’t just a place to retire. It’s a place to stop worrying about rising costs and start enjoying life.
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