How land lease living works
A secure, transparent way to downsize — without hidden fees or complex retirement contracts.
If you’re considering downsizing, one of the first questions you likely have is:
“How does this actually work?”
And just as importantly:
“Is this secure for my future?”
At Bayway Village, land lease living is designed to be simple, transparent and financially predictable — so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
Want to explore the model at your own pace? Request our Bayway Information Pack.
First, the most important things to know
You own your home.
There are no entry fees.
There are no exit or deferred management fees (DMF).
You don’t pay stamp duty.
You don’t pay council rates.
When you choose to sell, you keep 100% of any capital gain.
For many of our residents, understanding these fundamentals is what makes everything else fall into place.
“Moving to Bayway Village was the best decision I’ve ever made.”
— Regina, Bayway Resident
So what is land lease living?
In a land lease community, you purchase and own your home, and lease the land it sits on through a secure long-term agreement.
Instead of paying stamp duty, strata levies or deferred management fees (which are common in traditional retirement villages), you pay a simple, transparent weekly site fee.
That site fee contributes to:
Maintenance of shared spaces.
Community facilities, including the Clubhouse.
Common area gardens, including your front garden.
The village’s onsite management team.
Site fees are designed to be clear, predictable and easy to budget for — with no surprises down the track.
If you’d like to see exactly how the numbers work — including a full breakdown of inclusions — you can request our Information Pack below or reach out to our team with your questions.
How is this different from a retirement village?
Many people exploring downsizing assume all lifestyle communities work the same way. They don’t.
Here’s what makes land lease living at Bayway different:
You own your home.
Not a licence to occupy — full ownership.
No deferred management fees.
You won’t forfeit a percentage of your home’s value when you leave.
No complex exit formulas.
When it’s time to sell, the process is straightforward.
You keep your capital gain.
If your home increases in value, that growth belongs to you.
Government regulated.
Land lease communities operate under state legislation designed to protect homeowners.
For many families — especially adult children supporting the decision — seeing the structure laid out plainly can help address common financial concerns and provides a greater sense of security.
For those who prefer to see the differences clearly set out, here’s a simple comparison*:
| Land Lease Living | Traditional Retirement Village | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry cost | Home price only | Home price + stamp duty |
| Stamp duty | None | Payable at settlement |
| Council rates | None | ~$2,000 per year |
| Exit / DMF | None | 25–35 % of sale price |
| Capital gain | You retain 100% | Often shared with operator |
| Ongoing fees | Predictable site fee (CPI-linked) | Maintenance levy + other charges |
*This comparison is illustrative and based on commonly observed industry structures. Actual costs, fees and arrangements vary between communities and states. Always refer to individual contracts and disclosure documents and seek independent advice before making any property decision.