Testimonials

What are the main benefits of life at Heritage Gardens Retirement Village?
Our residents enjoy many benefits that we believe are unique to Heritage Gardens. These include:

• A total of 51 villas and apartments spread over three acres of award-winning garden environment, fully maintained by professional gardeners.
• All villas and apartment are owned by our residents freehold on a strata title basis, giving you the security of ownership, not a “right to occupy” or leasehold basis.
• Heritage Gardens is incredibly quiet!. Handy to major roads and shopping centres, we still provide real peace and quiet
• You have access to a wide variety of amenities and activities to share with like-minded people if you choose. For example, we have a billiards room, a superb in-ground swimming pool, lounge and reading rooms, Wi-Fi, a community barbecue area and a media/activities room.
• Stockland Cairns Shopping Centre is an easy walk away, providing you with Coles and Woolworths supermarkets, Big W and Target, variety stores, specialty stores, restaurants and cafes.
• We are next door to a tennis club, large parklands, and a short distance to golf and bowls clubs, race course and other sporting facilities.
• The convenience of sharing costs among all residents and the ability to budget fixed outgoings takes away financial uncertainties.
• You live independently and yet can be an active part of village life.
• Help is at hand – on site. Heritage Gardens Retirement Village has an emergency call system, monitored 24/7 by our manager and backed up by a local Security company should the manager be unavailable.

How do we know that Heritage Gardens is right for us?
We recommend that you take as much time as you need to reach a decision and visit the retirement village as often as possible. That way you will build up a detailed and accurate picture on which to base your decision.

We are sure that our residents will be helpful in making your decision.

Remember also that, unlike many retirement villages, Heritage Gardens offers villas for sale on a freehold strata title basis. Many villages offer only a licence to occupy or leasehold arrangement.

Can we visit Heritage Gardens to inspect villas and amenities?
We encourage all prospective residents to take a full tour of our lifestyle village. Family, friends, relatives, and all other interested parties are welcome to join you in an inspection. To arrange an inspection, simply call Tony, our helpful Manager.

When is the right time to join a retirement lifestyle community?
The decision to enter a lifestyle village is one only you can make. Many of our residents joined us soon after retiring while others took longer to reach a decision. Many tell us they wish they had made the decision earlier.

It’s a big, life-changing decision, so do your homework. Talk to a legal professional, ideally one with experience of the retirement living market, as there are some areas of difference to regular real estate. It also makes good sense to consult your accountant.

Who can purchase at Heritage Gardens Lifestyle Village?
Residents are required to be over the age of 50 and can join the village either as a couple or on their own. If you are part of a couple, only one of you need be over the age of 50. As Heritage Gardens Lifestyle Village offers independent living, it is also important that you be able-bodied and of satisfactory health.

How much do the villas cost?
Heritage Gardens has a variety of one and two bedroom self-contained villas, as well as two bedroom units.  Prices start for the one bedroom villas from less than $175,000. Click HERE to visit our sales page to see villas and apartment currently on offer.

What are the first steps if we want to purchase a villa?

Whether you have found the villa that is right for you or you simply want to take the first step and start looking, make an appointment with Tony, our Village Manager, to discuss the purchase process.

Once you have found something you like, we will provide you with a Village Comparison Document (VCD) that contains information about the facilities, fees and charges, maintenance reserve fund and capital replacement fund, residents rights and obligations, resale process as well as village and accommodation information. In Queensland you are required to sign a VCD along with a Residence Contract, an agreement between you and the Scheme Operator.  You will also sign an REIQ contract to purchase the villa from the existing owner at a price agreed between you and the existing owner.

Before you sign these documents, or any document, we advise that you seek legal advice.  We do allow a two week cooling off period after the Residence contract is signed so you have time to carefully consider your decision.  You are also entitled to seven days cooling off period on the REIQ contract.

Once you are satisfied with all of the documents and have selected your new villa, the normal real estate process follows.

What is the deferred management fee scheme?
The Deferred Management Fee (DMF) scheme is a popular purchase model in retirement villages throughout Australia. It offers an affordable accommodation option without escalating property costs, and allows you to retain the full value of your home whilst you occupy it.

Under the DMF model, the Heritage Gardens operator receives the deferred management fee (DMF) for the villa only after it is resold.

Will I/we own our villa?
Yes. We are very different from most lifestyle villages in that you purchase your villa or apartment freehold under a strata title. Most retirement villages offer only a “right to occupy” or a leasehold arrangement. We encourage you to ask about the difference when you are looking at options for your retirement lifestyle.

Are the villas furnished?
Purchasing your villa or apartment is very like buying your current home. Your new home is sold to you unfurnished. You will no doubt prefer to bring much of your own furniture that you have treasured for years so you can add your own sense of style.

What other costs are involved when buying into Heritage Gardens Lifestyle Village?
As with any real estate purchase, the main costs – after the price of your villa – are the normal legal expenses and government charges for Stamp Duty and title registration.

Is there 24 hour emergency assistance available?

An emergency call system is available to every resident and is a pendant which can be worn around your neck if you wish or left in a handy spot in your home.  Calls are monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days per week and call outs are attended to by our on-site manager as well as a local security firm.

Can I secure a bank loan to purchase a villa in the community?
This will depend on your personal circumstances but there is no legal impediment to your mortgaging your property. Unlike most other retirement villages, Heritage Gardens offers our villas and apartments on a freehold basis, so you have title to the property and should be able to secure a bank loan.  Your title deed is held in Escrow and you will need to inform your lender of this.

What other ongoing expenses am I responsible for?
Residents pay quarterly fees to the Body Corporate and the village operator.  These range from $658 per quarter for a one bedroom villa up to $1,144 per quarter for a two bedroom villa.  These fees consist of: a general service charge which covers office administrative and operating costs including insurances and the village manager’s wages;  a maintenance reserve charge which goes towards the maintenance and repair of the community hall;  Body Corporate charges for administration and sinking funds which cover expenditure for repairs and maintenance of the common grounds and buildings.

On sale of their home, residents also pay a Deferred Management Fee, or exit fee.  Residents are responsible for their own electricity charges and council rates.  There is also a minimal contribution to water usage which is currently $10 per month per unit/villa.

You are also responsible for your own telephone, personal contents insurance, and other chosen services you may wish to connect to your villa such as Foxtel and Internet.

Am I responsible for the maintenance and repair within my home?
The Body Corporate is responsible for everything on the exterior of the unit and the grounds, whilst the resident is responsible for the interior of the unit. There are however a number of government initiatives available to assist retirees with home maintenance, and our manager would be happy to provide these details.

Can I get Foxtel/Cable TV connected?
Yes, at your cost. You should first check with our Village Manager as a connection may already exist in the villa. Simply contact the relevant providers once you have moved into the village and they will arrange connection.

Do I need to sell my home first?
Not necessarily, but many residents have found the affordability of Heritage Gardens has allowed them more financial freedom having sold their previous homes.

On the other hand, if you have a house to sell, your contract may be signed subject to the sale of your home. If you do not sell your home within a reasonable time frame then if both parties agree, you may terminate the contract or you may be able to get an extension to your contract.

What are the standard fixtures and fittings in a villa?
Your purchase contract will include a complete list of fixtures and fittings. Variations of fixtures and fittings may apply between villas. It will depend upon a previous occupant.

Can we make alterations to our villa?
You can make alterations to the interior and exterior of your villa within reason.  External changes that can affect the overall look and/or value of your villa, such as awnings and patio enclosures, do need approval from the Body Corporate. Alterations involving electricity, gas, plumbing also need the approval. Council approval may also be required for some works.  Residents are encouraged to improve the standard of their accommodation as it maintains the standard of the village and may lead to attractive capital gains for the owner when selling.  Obviously there are policies in place to protect the safety and comfort of all residents and to safeguard the aesthetic qualities and integrity of the retirement village.

How far away are local amenities?
Heritage Gardens is located in a quiet cul de sac at Earlville, with Stockland Cairns a comfortable 165 meter walk away.  Right next door is Barr Street Markets where there is a large medical centre, discount chemist, pathology, restaurant, and a fabulous butcher. It is less than 10 minutes’ drive to the Cairns CBD and there are numerous transport options with public transport close at hand and ComLink and St Johns providing regular services to the village.

Are pets allowed?
Yes, of course. We welcome pets, but small ones preferably. We do have a few rules about keeping control of your pet to protect the safety and comfort of other residents and the local wildlife. We ask that you seek approval from the Body Corporate before bringing a pet into the village.

Am I able to have family and friends come and visit and stay with me?
Of course. Visitor car parking is available along with community barbecue facilities, a fully-equipped community kitchen, the swimming pool – everything you might need to entertain family and friends, just as you would in your present home.

Can our grandchildren use the community facilities?
Yes, of course. Our large pool is a big hit with the grandchildren.  We just ask that young children are adequately supervised for their own safety whilst swimming.

Can I store a boat/caravan at the retirement community?
This will vary depending on the size and facilities available with your villa or apartment. Most have a lock-up garage but that is usually used for car parking.  Please contact our Village Manager to discuss this.

Can we garden outside our villa?
Of course you may, with the Body Corporate’s permission. Each villa has its own garden in front on the common land and in the rear on your exclusive use area of common land there are also gardens established.  If you are a keen gardener, have a chat with the Village Manager about taking care of the garden outside of your villa. Otherwise all lawn and garden maintenance is the responsibility of the Body Corporate.

Can we sub-let our villa?
Because Heritage Gardens is designed to provide a sense of security and stability, we do not permit rental or sub-letting of villas.

Do we need household insurance?
It is advisable, but your choice. You do not need building insurance but you should consider insuring your personal contents.

Does Heritage Gardens have facilities for visiting healthcare professionals?
Heritage Gardens is an independent living environment so we do not have medical professionals on site. However, we welcome the services of visiting healthcare professionals such as general practitioners, physiotherapists and podiatrists.  With a large discount Chemist, Doctors surgery, and Blood collection right next door to the village, as well as Xray clinic opposite, your health will be well looked after.

If I go away on holiday, will my home be okay?
At Heritage Gardens, we pride ourselves on security. Any resident leaving for an extended period is asked to notify the Village Manager as a further precaution.

What does the Body Corporate Committee do?
The committee works with the village management to maintain and enhance the retirement community lifestyle. Committee members are nominated and elected by residents annually.

What happens to our home if we decide to leave? How is the resale price calculated and are there any restrictions on who can buy?
The market determines the value of any residential property but, in a retirement village, there are some factors which add value to resale potential. Stable management, attractive surroundings and relevant services and activities all influence buyers. The only restriction is that buyers must be aged 50+.

How do you calculate exit fees?
The Deferred Management Fee, or exit fee, is based on the sale price of your villa when you leave. It is a sliding scale, ranging from 6 percent in the first year to a maximum of 25 percent after 10 years based on the outgoing sale price.

Who is responsible for the sale of my villa?
We can help you sell your villa, and our manager is a Licenced Real Estate Agent who only sells our properties and therefore has a good understanding of this market  You can of course choose to use other agents, the choice is yours.  We have regular enquiry from people who would like to move into the village so, once you decide you would like to sell your villa, we can contact enquirers to see if we have any possible buyers. Agent commission costs and any other selling costs will be your responsibility and of course, we list your villa on our Units For Sale page as a free service.

Does government legislation protect the rights of retirement village residents?
Retirement village legislation (Retirement Villages Act) exists in every State and Territory of Australia. While it is not uniform, it addresses a range of common issues and reflects the input of retirement village residents, community groups and the retirement village industry. Your tenure at Heritage Gardens Lifestyle Village is protected by this and is designed mainly to protect the rights of residents. It covers such areas as resident consultation about community management and re-selling entitlements.

Can I pass my villa on to a family member?
Yes. When you purchase at Heritage Gardens, you do so on a freehold strata title basis. Should you transfer the title to a close relative, we establish an agreed value of the property to establish the Deferred Management Fee, or exit fee, payable to the Management.

What happens to my villa if Heritage Gardens enters administration?
You own your villa freehold. The village will always be a village, operated in accordance with the Retirement Villages Act, and your tenure will always be protected. A statutory charge is held over the village, which means should Heritage Gardens go into administration, the bank, or an alternative operator as elected by the bank, will take over the running of the village, but you will always own your home.

What does the Village Manager do?
The Village Manager is responsible for the day-to-day running of the village. They oversee all maintenance issues, ensures the village is running on budget, and looks after the general well-being of the village residents.