Discover more about life at Barham Lakes. From the homes and community to the lifestyle and surroundings, we’ve answered some of the most common enquiries below to help guide your journey.
A Land Lease Community (LLC) is a secure lifestyle model where you own your home but lease the land it sits on, typically under a long-term agreement. You get exclusive use of the land and access to community facilities, without the high upfront costs of land ownership. LLCs are active, well-maintained communities that offer independence, security, and a strong sense of belonging.
The village is owned and operated by Barham and District Services Memorial Club Ltd (cluBarham), a not-for-profit organisation established in the late 1950s to support ex-servicemen and the communities of Barham and Koondrook. All income is reinvested into the local community. The Barham Lakes community is being developed as part of the club’s long-term vision to build a sustainable, inclusive and community-focused legacy for future generations.
Villawood Properties is proudly developing the community on behalf of cluBarham. With over 35 years of experience, Villawood has grown to become one of Australia’s most respected residential land developers. To date, Villawood has delivered more than 73 completed communities comprising over 13,472 residential lots and is currently managing the development of 29 active communities with a combined total of 21,645 lots, representing a portfolio valued at $15.5 billion.
Yes, you own your home but lease the land it sits on under a secure site agreement. This leasehold model is backed by the Residential (Land Lease) Communities Act 2013 (NSW) and associated regulations, providing strong protections and long-term security for homeowners.
Living in a land lease community offers both financial and lifestyle benefits. You can enjoy affordable home prices with no stamp duty, council rates, or typical utility connection charges (excluding usage), and may be eligible for government rent assistance. The village provides a secure, low-maintenance environment with resort-style amenities, professionally maintained spaces, and a welcoming community. Homes are brand new and designed for comfort, giving you more freedom and flexibility to enjoy the things you love.
No. There is no stamp duty on the purchase of a home in an LLC.
No. Residents pay site fees which are applied to the management and upkeep of the Village.
Site fees are anticipated to be $220 – $240 per week for couples and $180 – $200 for singles and adjusted annually. This covers council rates, water and sewerage charges (excluding usage), upkeep of shared areas and facilities and building insurance (excluding contents).
If you are a pensioner living in an over 55s lifestyle village, you may be eligible for Federal Government Rent Assistance. This can help reduce your site fees and overall living costs. To learn more, visit www.humanservices.gov.au or call 132 300.
Yes, you can sell your home at any time. You are free to choose how you sell, whether through our own sales team or an external real estate agent, and you set the price. We are here to support and help coordinate the process to make sure everything runs smoothly. Once the sale is finalised, your lease agreement ends and the new homeowner begins their own secure land lease.
We offer two options to give you financial flexibility when entering into a site agreement. You can choose either:
1) A standard site fee (rent-only) agreement with no DMF; or
2) A site agreement with DMF.
With a DMF, you still pay the same site fee, but you defer part of the home purchase price to a later date. This reduces your upfront costs. The deferred amount is then settled when the home is resold after the site agreement ends. The DMF is calculated on your original entry purchase price and deducted from your sale proceeds, allowing you to benefit from capital growth.
Yes, pets are absolutely welcome. We know they’re part of the family. Our community is pet friendly and will include an off-leash area for dogs. We just ask that residents follow the village pet policy to help keep things enjoyable for everyone.
Land lease communities typically include a range of amenities such as a community club, pool and spa, gym, cinema, games room, library, bowling greens, pickleball courts, BBQ areas, community garden, and more. Subject to final design, Barham Lakes is intended to deliver all this and more, setting a new benchmark in lifestyle living with thoughtfully designed facilities for an active and social over 55s community.
The questions and answers included in this FAQ are not intended to be exhaustive and do not constitute legal advice. The answers to the FAQs are accurate as at the date of publication and may be subject to change from time to time. The responses are intended to be helpful and provide you with general comments about commonly asked questions, however, we encourage to you to contact us directly to address areas of interest or any specific questions you may have.
