What is meant by 'over 55's accomodation'. This is very common in Australia?

Question

What is meant by 'over 55's accomodation'. This is very common in Australia?

Answer 1

It simply means that the unit or dwelling is meant to be occupied by at least one person aged 55 or over. This is a common method here in the U.S. meant to sell housing to older persons who can take care of the unit successfuly.

That means that only the older person(s) can live there. ANyone can visit, though.

Answer 2

Over 55s accomodation shouldn't be confused with retirement villages. RVs usually have a resident nurse and a community centre with some organised activities. They often also offer more than one level of accomodation e.g. fully self contained town house type apartments, serviced apartments and even nursing homes in some villages. RVs are not normally bought and sold like normal houses. They're often leasehold or have some other conditions that can make them fairly difficult to sell.

Over 55s accomodation on the other hand, is usually not nearly as organised as a RV. They usually consist of a gated complex with many fully self contained town house like 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments each with its own garden area and perhaps a patio or deck. Only over 55s can live there, but the over 55 thing is a marketing tool to attract older (usually cashed up) residents as it guarantees them a secure and quiet lifestyle without loud parties and kids running around everywhere. Most have no community centres or formally organised activities. They are bought and sold in exactly the same manner as any other house or apartment and in fact, apart from the over 55 covenant, are identical to normal housing. Units in good over 55 complexes are reasonably easy to sell for good prices.

Answer 3

We have these in the UK as well.

These properties can only be occupied by people aged 55+ It's OK for younger friends or relatives to visit for short periods.

They will be fitted with alarm systems so that the occupant can summon assistance in an emergency. Usually they are in a complex of similar properties and have a resident warden to assist.

The properties are almost always leasehold and relatively cheap to buy but the monthly charges can be very high.

For this reason they can be tough to sell.

Generally they are not a good buy.

Ian M

Answer 4

It's actually not all the common but is growing as the average aged citizen is getting older.

These are places for couples with at least one partner or a single over 55yrs of age. It is designed to meet the older persons needs and be peaceful and tranquil instead of hearing kids screaming all day long.