Retirement Village & Lifestyle Living Legal Services Across Queensland
Deciding to move into a retirement village or lifestyle community is a major life decision emotionally, financially, and legally. Unlike a standard property purchase, retirement living contracts in Queensland can be extremely complex and vary significantly from one provider to the next.
At Enterprise Legal, our team of qualified property and commercial lawyers (not just conveyancers) helps retirees and their families navigate these intricate agreements. We explain your options in plain English, ensure you fully understand your financial commitments, and help protect your future security and peace of mind.
Whether you’re looking at a leasehold retirement village, a lifestyle resort, or a manufactured home park, we’ll give you clear legal advice so you can make informed decisions. We also work closely with your accountant or financial advisor to help structure your arrangements in the most tax-effective way possible.
Types of Retirement Living Contracts in Queensland
Retirement living contracts come in several legal structures in Queensland, each with very different rights, costs, and risks:
Leasehold Retirement Villages
- You pay an upfront contribution to live in a unit under a long-term lease (often 99 years).
- You don’t own the property outright.
- You pay ongoing fees, plus a Deferred Management Fee (DMF) or exit fee when you leave.
- Governed by the Retirement Villages Act 1999 (Qld).
Licence Agreements
- No legal interest in the land.
- You pay an upfront contribution for a licence to occupy.
- You also sign a separate services contract.
- Often combined with significant exit fees or sharing of capital gain.
- Also governed by the Retirement Villages Act.
Freehold Retirement Villages or Lifestyle Resorts
- You own the property freehold, usually under a strata or community titles scheme.
- You pay body corporate fees and levies.
- Exit fees vary widely between providers. Some charge DMFs even for freehold.
- Less regulated by the Retirement Villages Act (but Body Corporate laws apply).
- Seller Disclosure Statements apply if selling this type of property.
Manufactured Homes / Residential Parks
- Governed by the Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Act 2003 (Qld).
- You own the dwelling but lease the land underneath it from the park owner.
- Pay ongoing site fees instead of traditional body corporate levies.
- No freehold title to land.
- Often attractive for lower-cost retirement living but involves unique legal issues.
Our Legal Services for Retirement & Lifestyle Living
When you engage Enterprise Legal for retirement living advice, we:
- Review and explain retirement village contracts in plain English.
- Identify hidden costs like exit fees, Deferred Management Fees (DMFs), and capital gain sharing.
- Compare different legal models to help you choose what’s right for your circumstances.
- Review and explain Disclosure Statements under the Retirement Villages Act and Body Corporate legislation.
- Check community management statements, by-laws, and proposed levies for freehold retirement villages.
- Advise on resale conditions, transfer rights, and refund entitlements.
- Liaise with your accountant or financial planner to ensure tax and financial impacts are fully considered.
- Prepare Seller Disclosure Statements when acting for clients selling freehold retirement village or lifestyle resort properties.
Moving into retirement living isn’t just a property deal, it’s about securing your financial future and lifestyle. We help you protect both.
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Why Choose Enterprise Legal for Retirement Living Advice?
Seller Disclosure Statement: Protect Your Rights!
From 1 August 2025, sellers of residential property in Queensland, including those selling freehold retirement village units or lots in lifestyle resorts, must provide a legally compliant Seller Disclosure Statement before signing a contract under the new Property Law Act 2023.
If you’re selling:
- a freehold unit in a retirement village,
- a lot in a lifestyle resort,
- or any other freehold retirement property,
you’ll be caught by these disclosure laws.
Failing to provide proper disclosure could allow the buyer to terminate the contract or claim compensation, even after signing.
At Enterprise Legal, we:
- Prepare or review Seller Disclosure Statements for freehold retirement properties.
- Ensure all documents, body corporate records, and financial disclosures are accurate and compliant.
- Protect your rights whether you’re buying or selling.
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Retirement Living FAQs
Thinking about retirement living? Book a consultation with our experienced lawyers today and make sure your lifestyle and your finances are protected.
What’s the Difference Between a Lease and a License in a Retirement Village?
Are Exit Fees Negotiable?
Do I Own My Unit in a Retirement Village?
• own it outright (freehold),
• lease it long-term, or
• occupy under a licence.
We’ll help you understand exactly what you’re buying.