Clear Answers About Vital Bendigo

Vital Bendigo is a land lease lifestyle community in Epsom designed for people who want to downsize while retaining the privacy and independence of their own home.

Residents purchase their home and lease the site beneath it under the applicable site agreement.

The community is located at 9 Golf Course Road, beside Bendigo Golf Club.

Vital Bendigo is presented as a land lease lifestyle community rather than a traditional retirement village.

The ownership and site arrangements are governed by the home purchase documents, Part 4A site agreement and other applicable community documents.

No. Vital Bendigo is intended for eligible residents within its over-50s lifestyle setting, but a person does not need to have completely retired from work.

Eligibility and occupancy requirements should always be confirmed with the team and in the current formal documents.

Yes. Prospective residents can visit the Vital Bendigo display home, explore the location and speak with the team before deciding whether to take the next step.

Appointments are recommended so the team can provide the relevant time and information.

Under the Vital Bendigo model, you purchase and own the home while leasing the site beneath it.

The home purchase and the site lease are connected but are documented through separate legal arrangements.

You own the home itself, subject to the terms of the home purchase documents and applicable law.

You do not purchase the underlying land.

A Part 4A site agreement is the written agreement covering the site rented for an eligible movable dwelling. It explains matters such as:

• Site rent
• Rent reviews
• Charges
• Rights and responsibilities
• Community rules
• Services and facilities
• Selling or ending the arrangement

The current agreement and disclosure documents must be reviewed carefully before signing.

The duration, renewal arrangements, termination rights, rent-review process and other protections are set out in the current Part 4A site agreement and applicable Victorian law.

Do not rely on a general website summary when considering these matters. Prospective residents should review the actual documents and obtain independent advice.

Vital Bendigo homes are intended to be occupied as residents’ principal homes rather than as short-term holiday accommodation.

The exact occupancy requirements are contained in the site agreement and community rules.

Site rent is the regular amount paid for the right to occupy the site beneath the home. The current site agreement and disclosure information explain:

• The starting amount
• When it is payable
• How it may be reviewed or increased
• Other relevant charges or processes

Site rent contributes to the operation and management of the community and relevant shared areas, services and infrastructure.

The formal documents provide the complete explanation of what is included and what remains the resident’s responsibility.

Vital Bendigo does not use a conventional owners corporation or body corporate structure for residents’ site ownership because residents do not purchase the underlying land.

Residents instead pay the applicable site rent and any other charges disclosed in their documents. The current agreements should always be checked for the full cost position.

Depending on the resident and home, ongoing expenses may include:

• Separately metered utilities
• Household insurance
• Home maintenance
• Personal services
• Telephone and internet
• Other ordinary household expenses
• Fees or charges disclosed in the applicable agreements

Prospective residents should consider their own budget and obtain independent financial advice.

Some residents may qualify for Commonwealth Rent Assistance if they receive an eligible Centrelink payment and pay eligible accommodation costs.

Eligibility and payment amounts are determined by Services Australia, not Vital Communities. Residents should contact Services Australia or update their accommodation details through myGov to find out what applies to them.

The current site agreement and related documents explain any administration fees, selling costs, commissions, deferred fees or other amounts that may apply when a resident sells their home or the site arrangement ends.

The exact terms must be reviewed before signing and again before a future sale.

The Vital Bendigo transaction is structured differently from a traditional house-and-land purchase because the resident purchases the dwelling and leases the site.

Any statement about stamp duty or other taxation must be checked against the current transaction documents and applicable law. Prospective purchasers should obtain their own legal and financial advice.

Start by making an enquiry or booking an appointment with the Vital Bendigo team.

The team can explain current home availability, pricing, the display home and the general process.

The exact process depends on the home and site being considered. It may include:

• Discussing available options
• Reviewing pricing and inclusions
• Receiving the relevant disclosure information
• Reviewing the home purchase and site documents
• Obtaining independent advice
• Completing the agreed deposit and signing process

A home or site is not reserved until the required written process has been completed.

Visitors can explore the home designs and opportunities that are currently available.

Availability changes over time, so the Our Homes page and information supplied by the sales team should be treated as the current source.

Available selections and changes depend on the particular home, stage of construction and approved specifications.

Interior finishes or selections may be available in some circumstances. Structural, external or streetscape changes generally require approval and may not be available once construction has progressed.

Timing varies depending on:

• Whether the home is already completed
• Construction progress
• Contract and disclosure requirements
• Finance or sale arrangements
• Settlement and handover requirements
• The purchaser’s individual circumstances

Residents are generally responsible for caring for and maintaining their own homes and personal contents.

Vital is generally responsible for relevant common areas, community infrastructure and operator-owned facilities. The complete division of responsibilities is contained in the formal documents.

Pets may be permitted subject to the current park rules, approval requirements and any conditions applying to the animal, home or site.

Prospective residents should discuss their pet with the team and review the current rules before making a commitment.

Yes. Family and friends may visit residents, subject to the site agreement, park rules and appropriate use of the community’s shared areas.

A partner, relative or other long-term occupant may need to satisfy the applicable eligibility, approval and documentation requirements.

Discuss any proposed additional occupant with the team before signing or changing the household arrangement.

Residents may travel and leave their homes for periods of time, subject to the agreements and practical arrangements they put in place. Residents remain responsible for:

• Their home
• Insurance
• Security
• Personal property
• Mail
• Utilities
• Any required absence notifications

Vital Bendigo is intended primarily for owner-occupiers.

Renting or subletting is generally not permitted unless it is specifically allowed under the site agreement and approved in writing. The current documents must be checked before making any arrangement.

No. Residents can decide how much they would like to participate.

The aim is to provide opportunities for connection while maintaining each person’s privacy, independence and choice.

Yes, subject to the process, requirements and conditions in the current site agreement, sale documents and applicable Victorian law.

Before selling, residents should review the required notice, approval, marketing and purchaser processes.

Residents may be able to use a licensed estate agent, sell privately or explore any assistance offered by Vital, subject to the current agreement and sale process.

A future purchaser will need to satisfy the applicable eligibility and approval requirements and enter the required site agreement before occupying the home.

Fees or charges may apply depending on the current agreements and the method of sale. These may include administration costs, agent commissions or other disclosed charges.

Residents should obtain the current figures and independent advice before starting the sale process.

The existing resident’s site arrangement and the incoming purchaser’s new arrangement must be handled in accordance with the agreement and applicable law.

The team should explain the current process when a resident is preparing to sell.

The applicable documents may include:

• Pre-contract or prospective site-tenant disclosure information
• Home purchase agreement
• Part 4A site agreement
• Park rules
• Home plans and specifications
• Site plans
• Pricing and inclusions
• Utility information
• Fee and charge information
• Supporting policies and notices

The exact pack will depend on the purchase and current legal requirements.

The relevant disclosure information and agreements must be supplied in accordance with the applicable legal and contractual process.

Visitors should be given sufficient opportunity to review the documents before signing.

Yes. Independent legal advice is strongly encouraged before signing the home purchase agreement or site agreement.

A lawyer can help explain the documents, obligations, costs and future sale arrangements.

Independent financial advice is also encouraged. A qualified adviser can help a prospective purchaser consider:

• Their budget
• The sale of their current home
• Ongoing site rent
• Household expenses
• Centrelink implications
• Future affordability
• Their individual circumstances

Vital Communities does not provide personal financial advice.

The current formal documents and applicable law take precedence over this general website information.

Visitors should raise any inconsistency with the Vital Bendigo team and their independent adviser before signing.