National Lifestyle Villages Questions & Answers

Hi Brian. Most facilities are for residents only. (Staff are not permitted to use any facilities). Guests are able to use the outdoor pool, mini golf, tennis court if accompanied by a villager, but indoor pool, gym, bowling green etc. are exclusive use. I've never seen any abuse of this policy. Hope this helps.

Thanks Melzie, At least one village manager seems to believe that staff are entitled to use facilities because they are Serenatas employees and as such are “insured” for use. Is there a written policy about this somewhere?

Hi Sarah. While I can't speak for every village, both Hillview (where we are), and Helena Valley(where I have an Aunt), are fabulous. As I said in my previous review, the fees are clearly explained, if you stay longer than 3 years, the exit fee is 15%. (But the houses are generally cheaper than house and land, so it frees up capital). This is instead of paying a larger amount on a fortnightly basis. The fortnightly fee rises each year based on CPI plus 2%, all clearly communicated to us, and plenty of notice given. We think the fees are worth the facilities, pools, library reading room, pool tables, clubhouse, activities, shopping bus etc. There are many single women in our complex, and no one has indicated any sense of unease. Sometimes there are two sides to a story. My suggestion is to visit Joondalup, do a tour and see how it makes you feel. Ask lots of questions. I wish you luck in your decision, but for us, it's been brilliant.

Yes you do. It's not called an Exit fee and is usually 5, 10, or 15% depending on your time in the village.

Hi Julie. Thanks so much for the heads up. I have looked at NLV Bridgewater and really liked it. I took home their info package, but have just binned it. They’ve lost an easy sale. I’m trying to escape similar treatment and dodgy management at the RV I’m in. I’m wondering if there are any RV’s out there who operate with integrity. ‍‍

Hi James, rent covers the land your mobile sits on, also covers use of ALL facilities in the village, since you do not own the land your mobile home sits on, you dont pay council land rates (as it is NLV who own the land, they pay the rates. However, you should do the figures for what per year you will pay NLV as against what you would pay in the regular world, eg. approx $10,000 per year to NLV or around $3,000 per year for council land tax, water corp etc. It all sounds very nice and if you do use ALL the facilities would be cheaper than living in the regular world - IF you use what is available. Buyer Beware, they have very slick advertising, do all your sums and figure out which way of living is to your particular way of living. Also, in the older villages many of the home are due for renovation and you MAY find out that the 15 - 20 year home you purchase needs new air cons, kitchen appliances ect. You do not get any type of warranty on these homes unless you purchase a brand new home. Any other questions, please feel free to message me.

Alex, we came into this one 8 years ago because they did not have an entry and exit fee… we had heard of so many people ending up with so little when they sold or died IF there is an entry and exit fee.

About 3 years ago this one was sold to Serenitas and our rents jumped from about $5 to $7 a week to about $20 a week in their first year, and the following year it went up about the same, and in the third year about $15 a week, taking us up to about $253 a week, which is just over $13,150 a year, which covers rates, water and sewage and the use of the facilities. If someone is on a pension, they get back about $3,000 rent assistance a year. Before Serenitas took over not only did we pay a lot less, but we had a full-time gardener who made the pools and grounds looked immaculate. There were also the managers and because of the massive amount of work to be done, the husband also worked around the ground. But now all we have is the husband-and-wife managers, (who are just lovely), but even though there is a mowing company that comes in, there is just far too much work for one guy to do alone. Not only are our rents so high, but we have to look after the land and gardens around the house even though they own the land, which was ok when rents were not so high, but people who become not well enough to mow or garden then have to pay $20 to $35 a week to have it done on top of the massive rent. You have to remember that Serenitas and other such companies are massive, and it is all about money. There is no reason to care about the people as no matter what, they still get their $13,000+ per person a year whether you are there or not.

We are telling everyone, don't buy in one of these.. Get some friends, buy a block of land, and build some units on it, then if you want the activities, then get subscriptions at a swimming pool, gym and bowls club and save yourself about $8,000+ a year.

Exactly I totally agree with you

If Serenitas sells I'm fairly sure you won't loose out, the next buyer of the business would have to take over leases. The exit fees are high, if you sell within the first year you'll be charged 5 percent selling fee, depending on which lease you take. Most of the documents I got were out of date. Be carefull, the advertising is slick, I would strongly recommend you get legal advice, once you are in there it's difficult to sell the home, very limited as to who wants to buy a mobile home in these villages. Of course if you love it you don't have to worry but if you decided village life isn't for you you'll have problems, think very carefully, buyer be ware.

Hi Did you buy? I truely hope you didn't I've been here 2 months, several single women unhappy and anxious about their treatment here.

Hello Julie which village did you buy into and what are the issues faced by single women? I am thinking of buying in but these reviews are disturbing

Oh dear, I am so sorry to hear of your situation. Is there some way you can sell and move on, as no one should be feeling intimidated and miserable in your home. I have not progressed to purchasing in any villages, I still have that nagging feeling it is the wrong thing to do! I sincerely hope you can have family help you out of this...pls take care and stay positive...

Don't know Hampshire villages, just make sure though they aren't an arm of Serenitas, Providence lifestyle village or Tasman properties.

Hi Susan what are the issues with the 3 businesses you said to avoid?

Hello, I don't want to answer any of the above questions. But what I want to say is that I am extremely happy and pleased that I made the decision to live in one of the NLVs. Meeting so many happy and friendly people (many of them living here for more than 10 to 15 years) feeling safe, having the opportunity to be entertained/dance/join the weekly Sundowner to mix with people, opportunities to make new friends, use the terrific facilities to keep me fit, all this is worth paying the fees I pay. I can't put a price on all of the above and more, my joy to be here is huge, it is priceless! I want others to know and maybe encourage others to also send their positive experiences out here!