Moving into retirement living? Make the move with clarity, confidence and a fixed price. Selling the family home and moving into a retirement or lifestyle village is one of the biggest decisions you and your family will make. River City Conveyancing takes care of the legal side, from selling your home to reviewing your village contract, so you can focus on the exciting next chapter. Get Your Fixed-Fee Quote: Call 07 3013 2300
Retirement and lifestyle villages don't work like buying a regular home. The contracts are long, the fee structures can be complex, and the costs you agree to today can affect your finances, and your family's inheritance, for years to come.
Before you sign, you should know (Our team explains all of this in plain English, so there are no surprises down the track):
We handle the complete legal process of selling your home, including preparing your seller disclosure statement and required certificates, which Queensland sellers must provide before a buyer signs. Getting this right protects your sale, and your move.
1. Reviewing your village contract: We review your retirement or land lease village documents and explain the fees, your rights and your obligations, and flag the key questions to ask the village operator before you commit.
2. Coordinating your move: We work with your real estate agent and the village to line up your settlement and move-in dates, so you're not paying for two homes or left without one.
3. Keeping your family involved: Family members are welcome at every meeting. We know this decision often involves the whole family, and we're happy to answer everyone's questions.
Land lease villages: You typically own your home but lease the land it sits on, paying ongoing site fees.
Leasehold retirement villages: You usually buy a long-term lease over your unit, and exit fees may apply when you leave.
Each is governed by different Queensland laws. Whichever you're considering, we'll make sure you understand exactly what you're signing.
River City Conveyancing is a division of Horrocks Solicitors, giving you the legal protection of a law firm. Over 30 years of experience. Led by John Horrocks, our team has settled more than 60,000 conveyancing matters across Queensland. Fixed, upfront pricing. You'll know exactly what you're paying from day one, with no surprises on the bill. Plain-English advice. We take the time to explain everything clearly, to you and your family.
Queensland-wide service. Based in the Brisbane CBD, we act for clients anywhere in Queensland.
Simple, Fixed-Fee Pricing Selling your home: $1,100 (including GST, all inclusive)
Retirement village contract Review Free
Buying residential property: $1,400 (including GST, excluding searches)
How Retirement Conveyancing Works
1. Get in touch. Call us or send an enquiry, and tell us about your plans.
2. We review your documents. Send us your village contract and details of your home sale.
3. We explain everything. We walk you and your family through the fees, your rights and your options.
4. We manage the process. From your seller disclosure to settlement, we handle the legal work.
5. You move in with confidence. Your sale settles, and you start your next chapter with peace of mind.
What Our Clients Say / Queensland Conveyancing Case Study: From the Family Home to Retirement Living
A Brisbane couple selling their home of 30 years came to us unsure about the new seller disclosure rules, confused by their village's fee structure, and worried about coordinating two moves at once. We prepared their seller disclosure, explained their village contract in plain English to them and their children, and lined up settlement so they moved straight into their new home with no gap and no double costs.
They had three big concerns. First, they had heard about Queensland's new seller disclosure laws and weren't sure what they needed to provide to buyers. Second, they didn't fully understand how the village's fees worked, both now and when they eventually leave. Third, they needed the sale of their home to line up with their move so they weren't paying for two properties at once, or left without somewhere to live.
Challenge One: Getting the Seller Disclosure Right Since 1 August 2025, Queensland sellers must give buyers a seller disclosure statement, along with prescribed certificates, before the buyer signs the contract. If the statement is missing information or is inaccurate, the buyer may be able to terminate the contract, which is the last thing a downsizing couple needs when their move depends on the sale. Our team prepared their seller disclosure statement and gathered the required certificates before the home went to market, so the sale could proceed with confidence and no nasty surprises.
Challenge Two: Understanding the Village Fee Structure Land lease villages and leasehold retirement villages work very differently from buying a house. In a land lease village, you typically own your home but lease the land it sits on, paying ongoing site fees. In a leasehold retirement village, you usually buy a long-term lease over your unit, and exit fees may apply when you leave. Different Queensland laws govern each type, and the contracts can be long and detailed. We walked the couple and their children through the village documents in plain English, explaining the ongoing fees, how increases were calculated, and what costs could apply when they leave in the future. We flagged the key questions to put to the village operator before signing, and made sure the answers came back in writing.
Challenge Three: Coordinating Two Moves at Once We worked with the couple's real estate agent and the village to line up settlement dates, so they could move straight from one home to the next with no gap and no overlap in costs. With PEXA electronic settlement, funds from the sale were ready when they needed them.
The Outcome: A Smooth Move and Complete Peace of Mind
The family home sold and settled within days of their move into the village. Our clients signed their village contract knowing exactly what they were paying and what to expect in the future. Their children told us the biggest relief was knowing their parents fully understood the commitment they were making, and that nothing was left to chance.
Prepare your seller disclosure early.
Getting your disclosure statement and certificates right before you list protects your sale, and your move.
Understand the village fee structure before you sign.
Ongoing fees, increases and exit costs can have a major impact on your finances over time. Ask for everything in writing.
Know what type of village you're entering. Land lease villages and leasehold retirement villages are governed by different laws and work very differently.
Coordinate your sale and your move. Having one experienced team manage the legal side helps avoid gaps, double costs and last-minute stress.
Do I need a lawyer to move into a retirement village in Queensland? It's strongly recommended. Retirement and land lease village contracts are complex, and understanding them before you sign can protect your finances and your family.
Can you sell my home and review my village contract at the same time? Yes. We can handle both, and coordinate the timing so your move is smooth and well-managed. Can my children or family attend meetings? Absolutely. We welcome family involvement and are happy to answer everyone's questions.
Do you help clients outside Brisbane? Yes. We act for clients buying and selling property anywhere in Queensland.
How much does it cost? Selling your home is a fixed $1,100 including GST, all inclusive.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Talk to River City Conveyancing today and move into retirement living with clarity and confidence.
Phone: 07 3013 2300 Email: reception@rivercityconveyancing.com.au Visit: Level 4, 26 Wharf Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice.