Frequently Asked Questions
Learn how land lease living works at Vital Communities, what you own, what you pay, and what to expect before joining a 50+ lifestyle community.
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A Vital Community is a planned land lease lifestyle community designed for people aged 50 and over. You choose an independent, architect-designed home that suits your budget and lifestyle, while enjoying access to shared community spaces, social opportunities, wellness amenities and a secure estate environment.
Vital Communities are presented as land lease lifestyle communities, not traditional retirement villages. You do not need to be retired to live here. Residents may be working, semi-retired, downsizing, rightsizing or fully retired.
The important difference is the model: you own your home and lease the site it sits on under the relevant site agreement and community documents.
No. Vital Communities are designed for a 50+ lifestyle, but retirement is not a requirement. The focus is independent living, connection, wellbeing and making the most of the next stage of life.
Pets are welcome, subject to the community rules and any approval requirements that apply to your home and site. Family and friends are also welcome to visit and stay for short periods, provided this is in line with the site agreement, community rules and use of shared facilities.
Yes. Vital Communities are designed to support a lock-up-and-leave lifestyle. The gated estate and community management can provide extra peace of mind while you travel, although you remain responsible for your own home, insurance and personal arrangements while you are away.
In a land lease community, you own your home and lease the site underneath it. Instead of buying the land, you pay a regular site fee for the right to occupy the site and enjoy the community facilities, services and shared spaces.
In Victoria, this type of arrangement is commonly handled through a written site agreement for residents who own their movable dwelling and rent the land it sits on.
Vital Communities currently describes its land lease model as a long-term site arrangement. The exact term, renewal rights, site fee review process, charges and resident obligations should always be checked in your site agreement and related documents before signing.
Before signing, you should carefully review the site agreement, community rules, home purchase documents, fees and charges, any exit or selling costs, site plans, disclosure documents and any conditions that apply to pets, visitors, alterations or use of facilities.
We recommend getting independent legal and financial advice so you understand the agreement, your ongoing costs and what happens if you later decide to sell.
The site fee contributes to the operation of the community, management, common area maintenance, shared facilities and the ongoing presentation of the estate. Your site agreement will explain how the fee is calculated, when it is payable and how it may be reviewed or increased.
Some residents may be eligible for Commonwealth Rent Assistance if they receive an eligible Centrelink payment and pay eligible accommodation costs, including site fees. Eligibility and payment amounts are assessed by Services Australia, so you should contact Centrelink or update your accommodation details through myGov to check what applies to you.
In the land lease model, you are buying the home and leasing the site, rather than buying the land. That means the usual costs associated with buying land can be different from a standard house-and-land purchase. You do not pay body corporate fees at Vital Communities.
Your site fee contributes to community operations and shared estate costs. Always check your contract documents and seek independent advice about your own tax, duty and legal position before purchasing.
Any exit fees, deferred management fees, selling commissions or other charges must be clearly explained in your site agreement and related documents. Ask our team to walk you through these before signing so you understand the costs that may apply if you decide to sell in the future.
Start by making an enquiry or booking an appointment. From there, you can explore available home designs, choose a preferred site, discuss pricing, review the community and contract documents, and confirm the deposit and signing steps that apply at the time.
Once your home and site are confirmed, you can choose façade, interior finishes and fit-out options, stay involved during construction, inspect your finished home and then settle before moving in.
Yes. You can decorate and furnish the interior of your home in your own style, and create a private outdoor space that suits how you like to live. Changes to the façade, front garden, structure or visible external areas usually need approval so the streetscape and community standards are maintained.
Vital Communities are designed for eligible 50+ residents. Any additional long-term occupant should be discussed with the team and handled in line with the site agreement, community rules and legal requirements.
Vital Communities are intended for owner-occupiers who live in and participate in the community. Renting or subletting your home is not generally permitted unless it is allowed under your site agreement and approved in writing.
When the time comes to sell, you can usually choose a licensed estate agent, sell the home yourself, or speak with Vital Communities about whether assistance is available. Any new resident will need to meet the community eligibility requirements and be approved in line with the site agreement and community rules.
Before selling, check your site agreement for any notice requirements, selling process, approval steps, commissions, fees or other costs that may apply.
These resources can help you understand site agreements and Rent Assistance. They are provided for general information only and are not a substitute for independent legal or financial advice.