WHAT IS A LAND LEASE COMMUNITY?

Ballina Pacific Palms & Southern Cross Villages is a land lease community for people over 50. It means that you own your home and lease the land which is covered by a simple weekly site fee. The benefits of owning a home in a land lease community is that it gives you access to all the community recreation and leisure facilities whilst allowing you to claim Commonwealth Government Rent Assistance (if eligible) to cover a significant portion of the weekly site fee. For more information, please visit humanservices.gov.au/rentassistance.

WHAT ARE THE ONGOING COSTS?

When you move into your home at Ballina Pacific Palms & Southern Cross Villages you pay a weekly site fee of $240.00 which covers the lease of the land. Weekly site fee payments are scheduled fortnightly and completed by direct debit. Annually the weekly site fee is adjusted 5%.

You are responsible for normal service charges of your homes such as metered electricity, water, phone, internet, house and contents insurance. If you could please share with Ballina Pacific Palms & Southern Cross Community Management a copy of your insurance certificate each year it would be appreciated.

WHO MAINTAINS YOUR HOME?

Your home is your asset which means you are therefore responsible for annual pest inspections and any pest control requirements. Ballina Pacific Palms & Southern Cross Villages provides homeowners with equipment to maintain their lawn and gardens which are the responsibility of the homeowner.

DO YOU OWN THE LAND?

A land lease community means you lease the land instead of ownership. This model allows you to avoid paying stamp duty and the ability to claim Commonwealth Government Rent Assistance (if eligible) to cover a significant portion of the weekly site fee. (Please contact Centrelink directly for further information).

Your lease of the land is secure at Land Lease Community Act 2013. This legislation limits a community owners ability to terminate a site agreement and protects homeowners if a community is sold with the new owner required to continue your lease.

ARE PETS ALLOWED?

Yes! We welcome pets!

CAN GUESTS STAY WITH YOU?

Yes, you are welcome to have family and friends stay with you, provided guests abide by community rules. Community management approval is required for longer stays. Children staying with you must always be under adult supervision.

ARE THERE ENTRY OR EXIT FEES?

No, there are no entry or exit fees which means you retain any capital gains when it comes time to sell your home.

DO I RECEIVE A TITLE FOR MY HOME?

Because you do not own the land you do not receive a title. You do receive a purchase contract which articulates your ownership of your home.

CAN I RENT OUT MY HOME?

Ballina Pacific Palms & Southern Cross Villages is owner occupied only.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO SELL MY HOME IN THE FUTURE?

You have the freedom to sell your home at any time, simply notify the Community Manager in writing.

If you would like to understand the potential sales price of your home please speak to the Community Manager. They have a wealth of experience in sales and can provide you with a guide on comparable sales in the community and they can also outline ways we can promote your home to our buyer database.

CAN I BEQUETH MY HOME?

Yes, your home becomes part of your estate. It can be sold or your beneficiaries can reside in the home if they meet the community criteria.

IS PAC+SU 1 or 2 villages?

Technically they are 2 villages with 2 separate titles of land. However, Serenitas own both villages and treats it like one villages. This means utilities can be used on both villages.