Download Various Useful Documents
Below you can find various documents related to manufactured home parks and lifestyle such as a copy of The Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Act, Act Amendments, service directories and more, which are all available for you to download by clicking on the relevant button.
Legislation
The Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Act 2003
Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Regulation 2017
Note: Regulations reflecting the amendments made to the Act are being developed (20/10/2024).
Amending legislation (Building Better Futures) 2017
Proposed changes to the Manufactured Homes (Residential Homes) Act 2003
These amendments introduced into Parliament on Thursday 21 March 2024 seek to change the MHRP to improve consumer protections in residential parks balanced with reasonable industry viability.
Amendments are based on information gained from the survey in 2022 and the resulting C-RIS which had a narrow focus to fit with the Queensland Homelessness Action Plan 2021-2025 (QHAP). The issues seek to be addressed with the Homes for Queenslanders, the Queensland Housing Strategy 2017-2027 (QHS) released in February 2024, a re-release of a Strategy issued under Mick DeBrenni.
Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Amendment Bill 2024
AMHO Committee Submission Manufactured Homes Amendment Bill 2024
Living In a Residential Park
People often ask … “why would I live in a Residential Home Park?” Well, that depends what you want at this stage of your life.
The concept of residential park living is an excellent housing model. It offers a place to live where you can find like-minded people, who will become neighbours, acquaintances, or maybe good friends, and we know that social connections become even more inportant as we age in place. Of course, depending on the park you choose, there may be many social activities and interest groups – you can be as involved as you wish – the choice is always yours.
However, before you take the plunge, you must do your research. The advertising of the recent concept of the “Over 50’s Lifestyle Village” might show middle-aged people sitting laughing and socialising with friends, over a glass of wine at sunset but you might actually find that residents are between their mid-sixties and nineties – but we all know that age is just a number and so many older people are full of life. They are furiously independent and do not consider themselves old at all!
They are drawn to this housing model with no Entry or Exit fees, no land stamp duty, where you own your home which you maintain and insure, plus when you sell any profit comes to yourself or family. Because you pay rent on the land this includes the right to use the facilities offered in the village and if you are on a pension, you may be entitled to some rent assistance.
However, owning a manufactured home in a residential park is different to owning a house and land in the wider community.
Firstly, this housing model comes under The Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Act 2003.
Secondly, you do not own the land. Homeowners in residential parks need to understand the concept of the business.
The Park Owner
• rents the land to the homeowner for the home purchased to stand upon;
• agrees to supply and maintain the communal facilities for homeowners use on a non-exclusive basis; and
• provides access to utilities.
The residential park is usually a gated community and therefore considered safe – usually there will be CCTV cameras and a manager on site. The homeowner pays a weekly site fee to rent the land on which the home sits and this fee is subject to an annual increase. There are no Entry or Exit fees, no stamp duty when you sell your home with the homeowner retaining all the capital gains. Also, if you are in receipt of a pension, you may be eligible for rent assistance – this offsets the weekly site fee.
The following information may assist you as you make the decision on where you will live in your retirement years.
Buying into a residential park – RSU provides a great deal of information about what to consider and the documents the Park Owner must supply – click here
Site Agreement – this is your contract with the Park Owner providing the conditions and park rules under which you live – click here
Living in a residential park – information about rent, park rules, responsibilities, Committees and utilities is available – click here
Selling your manufactured home – while the Park Owner may be happy to list your home for sale, you do have the right to appoint any real estate agent to sell your home. You could even sell it yourself! If, however, you do appoint an outside agent, you should make sure that they understand the process of selling a manufactured home in a residential park – click here
Dispute Resolution – click here
COTA Better Rights for Retirement Living Booklet
Review of site rent increases and sale of homes in residential parks
