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What is a land lease community?

If you’re over 50 and ready for less maintenance and more lifestyle, land lease communities might be just what you’re looking for.
A land lease community (LLC) is a housing type that delivers a lot of value. You own your home outright and lease the land it sits on, with your right to live there protected by law. It’s a smart way to rightsize, release equity and boost your lifestyle – without the heavy costs of traditional retirement options.
How does it work?
Buying into a land lease community means:
- You own a brand-new, high-quality home
- You lease the land and pay a modest weekly site fee
- There’s no stamp duty
- You keep 100 percent of any capital gains when you sell
- There are no entry or exit fees
And if you are eligible for the Age Pension or Department of Veterans’ Affairs support, you might be eligible for rent assistance, making things even more affordable.
Financial benefits
No stamp duty or fees: Purchase your home without upfront government taxes or ongoing body corporate costs.
Modest weekly site fee: Your weekly site fee takes care of all the behind-the-scenes work that keeps your community looking great and running smoothly. It covers council rates, garden maintenance, upkeep of all those amazing resort-style facilities. The fee is adjusted each year in line with CPI, which means you can plan ahead with confidence and keep your budget in check.
Equity release: Rightsize from your family home to move into a luxurious, low-cost lifestyle with full ownership perks.
Lifestyle benefits
You own your home: At a more accessible price point and in a land lease community, Living Gems homes are designed for how you want to live now. That means premium home inclusions like high ceilings, ducted or split system air conditioning, solar panels, premium benchtops, quality appliances, walk-in robes, double vanities, ceiling fans and more.

Before you sign on the dotted line, it’s worth doing your homework. Not all communities include the same features as standard. So be sure to check what’s included and what’s extra to make sure you’re getting good bang for your buck.
Some typical home inclusions you may find at Living Gems are:
- High ceilings
- Solar panels
- Ducted air conditioning
- Ceiling fans
- Generous pantries
- Premium kitchen benchtops
- High-quality appliances
- Window furnishings
- Quality floor coverings
- Walk-in wardrobes
- Double vanity ensuites in the master bedroom
- Alfresco areas
- Front landscaping
Resort living without the hard work: Think of Living Gems as a lifestyle upgrade. You’ll live in a fuss-free home that is designed to make maintenance low and easy. Want to travel? Just lock up and go. Your home is secure, and your community looks out for each other. It’s that easy!
Premium facilities: At all Living Gems resorts, you get to enjoy first-class facilities like pools, gyms, cinemas, clubhouses, games rooms, workshops and more — right on your doorstep. This is a great way to stay active and connected with a like-minded community.

How is Living Gems different from a retirement village?
Here’s the simple truth — land lease communities are easier to understand and much better value.
| Land Lease Community | Retirement Village | |
| Ownership | Own home 100%; lease land | Lease or strata with complex fees |
| Fees | Weekly site fee only (CPI-adjusted) | Entry/exit, deferred management |
| Contracts | Two simple agreements | Often 200+ pages of fine print |
| Capital Gains | Keep 100% on sale | Shared or reduced by fees |
| Flexibility | Sell anytime; no refurb fees | Restrictions and penalties common |
Plus, you’re not dealing with complicated contracts full of fine print. There are two simple contracts:
- One for the build of your brand-new stylish home.
- One for the weekly site rental.
And you’re not hit with big fees when you leave, either. When it comes time to sell, all capital gains are yours.
Downsizing that makes sense
The government even offers incentives for downsizers, like the ability to contribute up to $600k from the sale of your home into super, even if you’re over 70. What’s more is because home operating costs are usually lower, you save more over time.
Discover simply lifechanging Living Gems
A land lease community is exactly that — a community. With like-minded neighbours, social events, group activities and shared interests, there’s always something going on if you want to join in. And when you want peace and quiet, you’ve got that too.
At Living Gems, we’ve created a lifestyle that lets you focus on what matters most to you — with less stress, more fun, and a whole lot of value. Need more information? Read the low-down on land lease communities article that takes a deeper dive!
Now is the right time for something that’s simply lifechanging!
Contact our team if you want more details on Living Gems resorts.

