Retirement Living is about independence, freedom and community.
At this time in your life, you may be considering a Lifestyle change, you maybe wanting to simplify your life by reducing the workload around home, it maybe the security of living in a community that you are looking for, or the ability to lock up and leave and travel without the worries of who will look after your home.
Whatever the reason there is no shortage of available high standard living choices throughout Western Australia, many of which can be found right here on our website.
This publication answers some commonly asked questions about the 3 key periods for residents and their families when considering entering a retirement village, Looking, Living and Leaving.
Retirement Villages and Over 55s Villas
Most people who move into a retirement village live in independent units. These villages can be structured a few different ways, licence, long term lease ‘lease for life’, strata title and company share. Retirement villages are regulated by the Retirement Villages Act 1992 (the Act) and the Current Code of Practice for Retirement Villages.
Developments for over 55s are different from retirement villages, they are usually smaller strata titled villa developments with age restrictions, operating under the Strata Titles Act 1985.
Lifestyle Villages for Over 45s
Lifestyle communities generally offer units for sale to people over 45, The Act does not apply to these communities even though the average age of residents is over 55.
Many retired people chose to live permanently in a caravan or park home in a residential park. The Residential Parks (Long-Stay Tenants) Act 2006 aims to provide greater contractual certainty to park residents however this is not specific to over 55s and is not covered by the Act.
Whatever your choice
Our best advice is not to leave it too long to make the move. Give yourself time to enjoy your new lifestyle, establish new friendships and make use of what your new home and community has to offer.