FAQS
Download the Frequently Asked Questions in the PDF below.1a. FAQ_formatted_Brookfield_v38_23_09_2011.pdf (94kb)
Buying a home | |
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Is finance available to buy a home in a Lifestyle community? |
| A | You will need to speak to your financial institution to see if finance is available to you. |
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Is there stamp duty or a search fee when I buy or sell a home? |
| A | When you buy or sell your home there is no stamp duty or search fees payable. |
Q |
What does the home price include? |
| A | When you buy a home at a Lifestyle community you can move in right away because everything is included in the price. All homes include built-in wardrobes, kitchen with cooking appliances, dishwasher, tiled bathroom and carpets. Homes are decorated throughout according to your selection from one of our interior design packages. Outside, the price also includes landscaping around your home such as fencing, paths, clothesline and a carport that comes with its own storeroom/work shed. |
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Do I own my own home at a Lifestyle Communities village? |
| A | Yes. Unlike other villages where you never own your home, at Lifestyle Communities village you own your home but you lease the land. |
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Security of tenure | |
Q |
What happens with the rent in the case of a deceased estate? |
| A | In the unfortunate circumstance of a deceased estate, at Lifestyle Communities we try to make it as easy and simple as possible for the family at this difficult time. The site fees are not required to be paid until the home is sold. When the home is sold, the accrued site fees and DMF will be then deducted from the sale proceeds. The balance of the proceeds can then be distributed to the beneficiaries. |
Q |
Do I pay body corporate fees? Council rates? |
| A | As we have taken land out of the cost equation, there are no body corporate fees at Lifestyle Communities villages. Council rates are paid by Lifestyle Communities. |
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Do I own the land where my home is situated? |
| A | One of the reasons that Lifestyle Communities are so affordable is that we separate the ownership of the land from the ownership of the home. Therefore, when you buy a home at a Lifestyle Communities village, you enter into a long-term lease of the land on which your home is situated. The lease gives you an exclusive right to occupy the land and to use and enjoy the village’s facilities and services during that time. You do not own the land but you have exclusive occupation of it for the duration of your lease. You pay a site fee on the lease each fortnight. |
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Who pays for utilities such as water and gas? |
| A | At Lifestyle Communities villages the resident has to pay for usage costs associated with electricity, telephone, gas and water, which are separately metered at each home. |
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Living | |
Q |
What about health service? |
| A | All of the services you need including hospitals, doctors, dentists, pharmacies, Medicare and other Government services are located within close proximity of your community. If you need access to other community services, for example, Meals on Wheels, they will have easy access to servicing your needs within the village. |
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Are Lifestyle Communities villages connected to public transport? |
| A | Lifestyle Communities have a community bus that is operated by the village manager and social committee for the benefit of the residents. The community bus is available to take residents and their visitors to the local shops, golf club and other venues. There is also public transport in the area with close access to the bus and train outside the village. |
Q |
What happens when I go on holidays? |
| A | Just let the village manager know that you are going on holidays and we can arrange for your mail to be collected for you. The gates and video surveillance in the community ensure a high level of security to give you added peace of mind while you enjoy your holiday. And of course we maintain your front garden the whole time. |
Q |
Where can I store my caravan, boat or trailer? |
| A | Lifestyle Communities villages have a specific area for storing trailers, boats and caravans. Spaces are limited and a weekly fee applies. |
Q |
Who collects my rubbish? |
| A | Each home has two rubbish bins (household and recycle) that are collected once a week. |
Q |
Where is mail delivered? |
| A | Each home has its own mailbox at the Clubhouse. Australia Post delivers mail directly to the mailboxes at the clubhouse. |
Q |
Can my visitors use the Clubhouse, pool & spa and other facilities? |
| A | Visitors are welcome to use most of the Lifestyle Communities' facilities when accompanied by a resident. In the case of the swimming pool and spa, this is available for the exclusive use of residents. |
Q |
Do I have to retire before I can become a resident? |
| A | Absolutely not. Lifestyle Communities villages are not retirement villages and therefore there is no need to be retired. At Lifestyle Communities we only ask that you or your partner is over 55 years of age. You can live at a Lifestyle Communities village and work full-time, part-time or not at all. |
Q |
Where do I park my car? |
| A | Each home has a carport. Additional parking for visitors is located at the front of the carport and throughout the village and around the clubhouse. |
Q |
Are pets allowed? |
| A | At Lifestyle Communities we understand that your pet is part of your family and small pets are very welcome for all pet owners. There will be some common sense rules to follow as we are conscious that we need to respect the rights of all residents at Lifestyle Communities, including those without pets. |
Q |
What is the difference between an over 55's residential village and a retirement village? |
| A | Lifestyle Communities are not retirement villages. At Lifestyle Communities we believe that people never retire and therefore Lifestyle Communities have been planned for people over the age of 55 who are looking for an enjoyable and active environment in which to live. The facilities at a Lifestyle Communities village have been carefully planned with this aim in mind. Your day may start with a catch up with friends for a walk to the local cafe followed, for example, by a game of bowls or a workout and swim at the spa complex. In the evening you may enjoy a BBQ with friends on the spa terrace overlooking parkland before retiring to the clubhouse to watch a latest release DVD in the village theatre. The opportunities are endless and designed to ensure that you maximise the benefit of living in a vibrant and active community that Lifestyle Communities villages provide. |
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Can visitors stay? |
| A | Of course. Visitors are welcome at Lifestyle Communities villages and can stay at no additional cost for a period of up to 30 days. After 30 days you will require the approval of the village manager and a small charge may apply subject to the ongoing usage of the village facilities. |
Q |
Can I rent out my home? |
| A | Lifestyle Communities have been planned around creating a strong and vibrant community for owner/occupiers. We want to build long-term relationships and friendships between residents so home rental is not encouraged. However, in some exceptional circumstances and with the written approval of the village manager you can rent out your home for a limited time. |
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Maintenance | |
Q |
Who looks after my lawn and garden? |
| A | Lifestyle Communities takes care of mowing and maintainance of the lawns and gardens in the front of all homes. Residents are responsible for maintaining their garden at the rear and side of their home. If you wish, the village gardeners can look after your garden for an agreed weekly fee. |
Q |
Who maintains my home? |
| A | As it is your home, you are responsible for its maintenance. To ensure that Lifestyle Communites villages are attractive places to live now and in the future, we ask residents to ensure that the exterior of their home is maintained in keeping with the community standards. |
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Customising your home | |
Q |
Can I customise my home? |
| A | It is your home and you can make whatever changes you desire once you move in. Any changes to the exterior façade of the home must be in keeping with the overall look of the village and must be approved by the village management before work starts. |
Q |
What can I add to my garden? |
| A | Provided your addition is consistent with the landscape plan of your Lifestyle Communities village and you have written permission from the village manager, you can add almost anything to your garden. |
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Facilities | |
Q |
Is there an emergency alarm system? |
| A | You can choose to fit your new home at a Lifestyle Communities village with an alarm system linked to an external siren and blue light. Please contact your agent regarding installation and charges for this. |
Q |
Can I get Pay TV and Internet access? |
| A | Yes. At a Lifestyle community you can have Internet access and Pay TV connected to your home or use the existing facilities in the clubhouse. When you have your home connected, usual charges from your service provider will apply. |
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Leaving | |
Q |
How do I resell my Lifestyle Communities home? |
| A | You can sell your home at a Lifestyle Communities village at any time, though you must give the village manager at least seven days written notice. You can sell your home through the village sales team, yourself or via a local real estate agent - the choice is yours. When you have sold your Lifestyle community home, Lifestyle Communities will provide a new lease to the purchaser. |
Q |
Can I move my home elsewhere? |
| A | Yes. All you need to do is give the village manager written notice of your intention to move your home. Of course, you must bear the removal costs yourself. It is important to note that if you decide to move your home, you are still responsible for the site fees until your notice period expires. After this notice period, your lease is set aside and Lifestyle Communities is free to re-lease the site to a new resident. |
Q |
I have a house to sell - can you help me? |
| A | Lifestyle Communities can put you in touch with a licensed real estate agent in your area who will look after your specific needs. You can then discuss with them how to best sell your current house to meet your objectives. When you sell your current house you should ensure that settlement is between 60 and 90 days so your new home at a Lifestyle Communities village is ready for your arrival. |
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More information | |
Q |
Where can I find more information? |
| A | Visit our Fees page for more information about the fees and rebates for this village, and to download a pdf copy of the FAQ. |
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