Ashton Gardens - FAQs
How close to local shops and attractions is the Resort?
Ashton Gardens is situated only 400 metres from the recently renovated Greenhills Shopping Centre, which boasts a comprehensive range of shops to choose from including Big W, Woolworths, Best & Less and quality health services. The Molly Morgan Motel is just across the road and there is a brand new private hospital diagonally opposite.
Is there transport available from the Resort or nearby?
Regular buses leave, every half hour, (week days) within 100 metres of Ashton Gardens to Greenhills Shopping Centre with connecting services to Maitland, Newcastle & Singleton.
How much is the Entry Fee?
There are two bedroom units, two bedroom luxury , and two bedrooms with alterations starting from $300,000.
What do I pay weekly?
The current rates of recurrent charges are as follows and will vary depending on the size of the premises. Two bedroom units are $62.00 per week and two bedrooms with sunroom or alterations are $64.00 per week .
What are the services and benefits covered by the Recurrent Charge?
This charge covers the cost of council and water rates, insurance and maintenance of all buildings, plant and equipment, common areas, gardens, lawns, energy costs of public and common property areas, resort management and other general costs of running the resort.
How is the Recurrent Charge determined?
These charges are determined in consultation with the residents. Resident representatives meet with Resort management on a monthly basis to review expenditure and the financial management of the resort. Recurrent charges are set annually, and upon review can only be increased if the resort residents’ association agrees to it.
What other expenses am I responsible for?
You would pay your own electricity, your own phone bill and contents insurance.
Can I bring my pet?
We welcome most dogs, cats and other small pets. There are a few rules about keeping control of your pet to protect the safety & comfort of other residents.
What happens if I need a little extra care?
Extra care can be arranged by the Resort Management Team with local organizations to suit your personal requirements.
Can I have family and friends come and stay?
Absolutely. Just as you would where you are now.
Why leasehold works for you.
The major advantage for a resident in a Leasehold Title retirement resort is that the operator has a long-term financial interest in the continuing success of the resort. The operator is therefore obliged to achieve and maintain high standards in the provision of facilities and services to maximise the reputation of the resort and ensure the operator’s equity is maintained.
Another big advantage becomes apparent at resale. Under leasehold the operator pays for and completes any necessary refurbishment of your villa before it is offered for resale. However under Strata Title either you or your family would have to organise and pay for any refurbishment and in reality Strata units are often end up being sold in an as is condition, which usually means that they can take longer to sell.
The operator of a leasehold resort is the party bound to provide the services, facilities and maintenance. In a Strata Title resort, the body corporate must enter into a service agreement with a management company for the maintenance and the provision of services. Problems can arise when the interests of the body corporate and the resort overlap.
The rights and obligations of residents are clearly set out in the lease, and cannot be changed without your consent. Strata Title residents are subject to the whims of the body corporate, who may impose regulations or abrogate rights from time to time, which may be done with or without your consent.
Continuity of management is ensured by leasehold. However, residents of a leasehold resort need not be concerned with management issues and the resort infrastructure if they do not wish. A reason for entering a retirement resort may be the desire for less involvement in domestic management.
A resident can also appoint the operator to ‘sell’ his residence right. Who better than the operator, who has an intimate knowledge of the resort, its workings and the documentation? There are no agent’s fees or selling commissions on entry or exit. A considerable saving on stamp duty is achieved. For a unit costing $300,000, stamp duty payable on a lease is around $950. By comparison, the same unit attracts stamp duty of around $9,800 under Strata Title.
Generally, leasehold documentation is simpler than Strata Title. Security of tenure is guaranteed by registration of the leasehold interest at the Land Titles Office. Your lease is for a term of 99 years.
All in all, Leasehold Title is much simpler to understand and use than other forms of tenure. The costs associated with Leasehold Title are less, which are reflected in the low management costs payable in the residents’ recurrent charges.
For more information about Ashton Gardens:
- Select one of the Related Information items at right.
- Contact us so we can discuss your specific questions regarding Ashton Gardens
| 
