Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Downsizing Community?

• A downsizing community is a place where independent people 50+ can live in a secure and vibrant residential environment. 
• Downsizing Communities are also known as Land Lease Communities, Lifestyle Communities and Lifestyle Villages.
• In Australia there are around 900 Land Lease Communities with over 100,0000 homeowners.
  

What amenities are available in a Downsizing Community

Downsizing Communities come with a range of amenities for homeowners to use. Depending on the community you choose you can enjoy accessing your own:

• Homeowners clubhouse
• Indoor pool and spa
• Gymnasium
• Wellness centre
• Sauna
• Cinema
• Tennis court
• Bocce or croque lawn
• Workshop
• Bowing green
• Craft and art studio
• Function space
• Some communities even have fishing boats!

What kind of houses are available in Downsizing Communities?

You can pick from an extensive range of new home styles in a Downsizing Community. Depending on where you choose you can select a brand new contemporary home or a more traditional understated design. Most homes come with ready-to-move in inclusions like luxury kitchen appliances, heating and cooling, floor coverings, window furnishings, landscaping and more. If you don’t want a brand new home there are usually pre-loved homes also available for sale.

What are the benefits of living in a Downsizing Community?

There are so many great reasons to live in a LLC.  Here are just a few:

Financial Benefits:
• Pay no stamp duty on your purchase
• Eligible homeowners can access Government Rent Assistance
• No more council rates to pay each year
• Enjoy the opportunity to reduce your cost of living with many communities offering discounted electricity & insurance options
Lifestyle:
• Enjoy a range of lifestyle & wellness amenities on your doorstep
• Upscale your social life – if you choose
• Live in a secure environment – often with live-in managers & gated entries
• Free up time maintaining the old home and garden to do better things
• Luxuriate in a brand new sparkling low maintenance home

How do Downsizing Communities Work?

Most Downsizing Communities work on the Land Lease model where you buy your own home and lease the land on which it sits via a Weekly Fee.  To safeguard residents the land leases are typically for extremely long periods and in some cases are perpetual. The Weekly Fee varies depending on the community you choose and whether you are single or a couple. If you are eligible for the pension you can also take advantage of government rent assistance to make the Weekly Fee even more affordable.

Why do people live in Downsizing Communities?

• Affordable home prices mean you can free up money tied up in your old home to do better things – like travel!
• You don’t have to be retired – working and semi-retired people over 50 are also welcome
• To enjoy an active and engaged lifestyle in a vibrant community  

What form of consumer protection is available for homeowners?

Land Lease Communities are supported by state government regulations and legislation which provide strong levels of protection and security for homeowners.

What fees and charges are applicable to living in a Downsizing Community?

Because fees and charges vary from community to community you should ask these important questions when assessing if a Community is right for you:

• What are the fees and charges?
• What are the ongoing costs to live in the community?
• Are there any exit fees payable?

Can you bring your pets into these communities?

Pets are part of the family and are welcome in most land lease communities.

What is the difference between this kind of community and a Retirement Village?

Downsizing Communities are independent living communities where working, semi-retired and retired people over 50 enjoy low maintenance living in a secure community setting. Because Downsizing Communities are home to younger people they provide access to a range of lifestyle amenities like pools, gyms, cinemas, tennis courts and more.