Retirement villages are primarily concerned with selling permanent residents a lease or licence to occupy. Sometimes however, there may be an opportunity to rent the unit instead.
Occasionally, retirement villages may offer units for rent. These units are usually smaller and older than other units in the village and likely no longer suitable for selling under the retirement village model. Units may also be placed into a rental pool if they are located in a section of the village that is earmarked for redevelopment and the operator is winding down sales of those units.
Contracts
Residents occupy a rental unit by signing either a standard residential tenancy lease, or a version of the loan/lease or loan/licence residence contract used by permanent residents. The residence contract for a rental unit would exclude the upfront payment of an ingoing contribution, or reduce it to a comparable amount of a bond (ie, four weeks rent). It would also limit the residency to a set number of years, rather than the open-ended tenure normally provided.
The main difference between the two types of contracts is that when the loan/lease or loan/licence contact is used, the occupant is considered as a resident of the community for the purposes of voting and attendance at resident meetings. An occupant under a standard residential tenancy lease would not be considered as a resident and would not be permitted to vote on special resolutions.
Rental village operators
Approximately 300 rental retirement villages operate across Australia, primarily managed by not-for-profit organisations. These villages function similarly to standard rentals but offer additional benefits, such as health and lifestyle support. Rent is often set at 75-85% of the aged pension plus Commonwealth Rent Assistance, making it an affordable option for many.
Some of the larger operators include:
Uniting NSW & ACT
New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory
Offers rental retirement living options with a focus on community and support services.
Ingenia Gardens
Nationwide
Provides rental retirement villages with a focus on affordable and community-oriented living.
IRT Group
New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, and Queensland
Manages rental retirement communities offering various support services.
Retirement Communities Australia
Victoria
Offers rental retirement living with a focus on community engagement and support.
Southern Cross Care
Multiple States
Provides rental retirement villages with a range of care and support services.
BlueCare
Queensland
Manages rental retirement communities offering comprehensive support services
Oak Tree
Multiple States
Offers affordable rental retirement living options with a focus on community.
RetireAustralia
New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia
Provides rental retirement villages with various support services.
Eureka Group
Nationwide
An ASX-listed company managing over 40 rental retirement villages with affordable accommodation for independent seniors. Their communities emphasise social engagement, security, and convenience, with amenities such as community centres, landscaped gardens, and social activities.
Conclusion
It’s important to note that while rental retirement villages offer flexibility and affordability, availability may be limited due to high demand and limited new developments. Prospective residents are advised to research and contact these operators directly to inquire about current vacancies and specific services offered.
In summary, rental retirement villages in Australia provide seniors with affordable housing options that include community support and various services. Several operators across the country manage these villages, each offering unique features to cater to the diverse needs of retirees.
It’s important to note however, that while rental retirement villages offer flexibility and affordability, availability is extremely limited due to high demand and limited new developments. Prospective residents are advised to research and contact these operators directly to inquire about current vacancies and specific services offered.