Frequently Asked Questions

We welcome most dogs, cats and other small pets. There are a few rules about keeping control of your pet to protect the safety and comfort of other residents, but we have several residents with small pets that live happily within the village. Pets are not permitted at Leisure Lea Gardens.

• Is this village accredited?” This is the first question to ask before deciding on a particular retirement village because accreditation confirms the village has been independently assessed for quality.
• All Living Choice villages are Accredited.
• Why is this so important? The benefit of knowing that a village is accredited provides prospective and existing residents with the peace of mind that their village is being managed and operated professionally and ethically at all times.
• For a village to be accredited it has to meet stringent criteria that cover 27 quality standards. This confirms the operator and management of the village are committed to exceeding resident expectations with their dedication to quality provision and village practices.
• This village operates to these standards of performance which are continually monitored and evaluated to ensure their practices are second to none.
• Accreditation is important for residents because it ensures all village processes and procedures are effective and that the village has a safe and harmonious environment with continuous improvement at its heart.
• Accreditation guarantees that members of the village staff are competent, professional and ethical in their village roles and provision of care to residents.
• The decision to move into a retirement village is a significant financial and lifestyle investment; therefore residents need to be confident that their next home is comfortable, safe, well-maintained and managed.
• A village that is accredited makes your decision that much easier because you are assured the village provides quality facilities with quality staff to both manage and maintain your new lifestyle.

For the latest price lists, please see the "Homes available" page for the village you are interested in.

Living Choice through its unique Living Choice care program provides a range of care options to you in the comfort and privacy of your own home. Detailed information on the Living Choice program is included in the section entitled “Choice Care".

Absolutely. Just as you would in your own home. 

Regular buses leave from right outside Alloura Waters and Broadwater Court, and the street corner near Deepwater Court to Gosford, Erina Fair and the rest of the Central Coast. Our own village buses make regular shopping trips, trips to Sydney and are available for group trips organised by residents. Glenhaven has its own Hi-Ace and the village has a bus stop at the entrance to the village which is well serviced by the local bus company. Leisure Lea Gardens has government buses at the door, running seven days a week for local trips or into the city, and also offers transport to local medical appointments. Kawana Island and Twin Waters have a village bus for shopping trips and outings, while transport is provided for local medical appointments by the village staff. Fullarton also has its own Hi-Ace for regular shopping trips and outings and at Woodcroft, buses run regularly along Pimpala Road.

Alloura Waters surrounds an active RSL and bowling club with championship bowling greens, indoor sporting facilities, cafe and restaurant. Woy Woy and all its amenities is only a short ferry trip, the wharf being a flat stroll from the village. Saratoga neighbourhood shopping centre is situated only 1.5 kilometres away, while Erina Fair boasts a comprehensive range of shops to choose from including Myer and Woolworths.

Broadwater Court is literally across the road from the Kincumber Village Shopping Centre which includes a Coles supermarket, fresh food shops, chemist, post office, banks, coffee shop and restaurants. Adjacent is a hotel and a number of fast food outlets. The village has its own on-site medical centre.

Deepwater Court is a short, level walk to the Woy Woy town centre and Deepwater Plaza Shopping Centre. The Centre includes Coles supermarket, fresh food shops and boutiques.

Glenhaven is just a short walk to the Glenhaven Village Shopping Centre. Buses to Castle Hill and Round Corner run past the village regularly.

Leisure Lea Gardens is only a short bus trip away from the Macquarie Shopping Centre and an easy trip into the city either by train or bus. A local doctor is on the premises several days a week.

Kawana Island is a short distance to Kawana Shopping World, Mooloolaba Esplanade and the Mooloolaba Wharf and Harbour. Just across the water is the Nicklin Way with all the facilities and shops, and the new hospitals and medical precinct are nearby.

Twin Waters is adjacent to the Twin Waters Golf and Tennis Club, Twin Waters Shopping Village and Novotel Twin Waters Resort. Our village is also close to North Shore Shopping Centre, including Coles supermarket, and only a short distance from Sunshine Plaza, one of the largest shopping centres in Queensland.

Fullarton is within walking distance of the Duthy Street shops and close to Unley and King William Roads with their dozens of shops, Coles, IGA and Woolworths supermarkets, medical centres and specialty stores.

Woodcroft is within walking distance of Woodcroft Plaza shopping centre. The Woodcroft Town Centre, Vines of Reynella Golf Club and Happy Valley Bowls Club are also close by.

Upon the resale of your unit, a Deferred Management Fee (exit fee) is usually retained by Living Choice. This is calculated on your in-going contribution or the next in-going contribution depending on the lease type you have selected.

The Deferred Management Fee allows residents to enjoy the lifestyle and facilities at the village without having to pay for them upfront.

Note: At some of our villages, there are different Lease Types to suit choose from. For further information, please consult the relevant sales consultant at the village you are interested in.

Levies are set annually, following consultation with the Resident Committees, and usually depend on the size of your villa/apartment. They are usually payable monthly. There may be additional charges for personal services if required.

This charge usually covers the cost of council and water rates, maintenance of buildings, plant and equipment, common areas, gardens, lawns, energy costs of public and common property areas, village management and administration and other general costs of running the village. At Fullarton, Council rates are excluded from the monthly levy and are payable by the resident.

These charges are determined in consultation with the residents. Resident representatives meet with village management on a monthly basis to review expenditure and the financial management of the village. Recurrent charges/levies are set annually and take into consideration the needs of the village.

All villas/apartments within our villages are held by way of a long-term lease or lifetime licence to occupy the home and are granted by Living Choice or a wholly owned subsidiary (Living Choice is a public unlisted company). New Living Choice leases are lifetime leases of 99 years.

The lease or licence agreement is registered with Land & Property Information (NSW), Department of Environment & Resource Management (Qld) or the Land Titles Office (SA).

The major advantage for a resident in a leasehold or lifetime licence village is that the operator has a long-term financial interest in the continuing success of the village. The operator is therefore obliged to achieve and maintain high standards in the provision of facilities and services to maximise the reputation of the village and ensure the resident’s and operator’s equity is maintained.

The operator of a leasehold or lifetime licence village is the party bound to provide the services, facilities and maintenance. The rights and obligations of residents are clearly set out in the lease or licence agreement, and cannot be changed without your consent.

Continuity of management is ensured in Living Choice villages. Residents need not be concerned with management issues and village infrastructure if they do not wish. A reason for entering a retirement village may be the desire for less involvement in domestic management.

A considerable saving on stamp duty is also achieved under a leasehold or lifetime licence arrangement. No stamp duty is payable on leases in New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia. This presents a considerable saving when compared with the purchase of a typical residential property or a strata, community or torrens title home.

Living Choice provides residents with a right to choose their agent of choice when it comes time to sell. A resident can use a licensed real estate agent of their choice or appoint LCA Sales Pty Ltd to ‘sell’ his or her residence right. The advantage of appointing LCA Sales is the company's intimate knowledge of the village, its workings and the documentation, and the fact that Living Choice supports a professional sales team working for LCA Sales Pty Ltd to specifically promote the sale of residents' homes.

Living Choice always recommends that prospective residents seek independent legal advice prior to signing a lease or licence agreement.