Frequently Asked Questions
The essentials Living in the retirement village Ownership and costs Facilities Design and styling
The essentials
15 High Street, Lutwyche, 4km north of Brisbane’s CBD. For more information about the local area, please click here.
Yes, The Atrium Lutwyche is a registered retirement village with the Queensland Government’s Department of Housing and Public Works. Its ID number is RV00013398.
Most people leave the family home and move to a retirement village because they want less maintenance, less cleaning and more free time. It’s not about age but the lifestyle you desire.
We can make the purchase of your apartment subject to the sale of your home and are happy to work with you and allow sufficient time to sell. If needed, we can recommend agents in your area who successfully sold our other residents’ homes. We can also provide referrals for professionals who can assist with downsizing and decluttering.
Well behaved pets are very welcome under our Pet Ownership Rules. Your pet is sure to become a much-loved member of the village community. Read our blog about pets at the village.
Yes, of course, it is your home and family and friends are very welcome. In fact, just try keeping them away when they see all the fabulous facilities on offer! If you have guests staying for an extended period, we do ask that you apply for a guest licence.
You need to be at least 60 and may still be in the workforce. Eligibility is by way of approval to make sure we have residents of good nature who fit in with our friendly village.
Retirement village residents secure a lease over a property. In a lifestyle community the lease only covers the land – the house you purchase is required to be technically relocatable. Retirement villages are registered under the Retirement Villages Act while lifestyle communities are covered under the same laws as caravan parks. There are also differences in the costs for maintenance and repairs. Read our blog comparing retirement living options here. Â
Our retirement village residents live independently in their own modern and spacious apartments with support on hand if needed. The residents of an aged-care facility usually only have a room and perhaps an ensuite, and there are more residents who receive a higher level of assistance with their personal care and daily living.
We have a private network that is fibre to the apartments with faster speeds compared with the National Broadband Network.
Living in the retirement village
A range of medical specialists, GPs and allied health professionals are on hand, with The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital only minutes’ away. For more information about the local area, please click here.
The Atrium is perfectly located for public transport with a busway interchange only metres away on Lutwyche Road for travel to Chermside Shopping Centre or the CBD. The Albion train station is a 1.1km stroll away. For more information about the local area, please click here.
A short walk will take you to Market Central Lutwyche where you will find three supermarkets, a gourmet butcher, fresh food store, chemist and other retailers. For more information about the local area, please click here.
No, but we partner with quality in-home services provider, Five Good Friends, who can provide a range of care and support services to suit your needs. This may be a better option than a traditional serviced apartment as you only pay for the services you use and you may be eligible for government-funding for those services. Find out more about Five Good Friends’ services here.
No. Our residents are all owner-occupiers.
Independent research from the National Village Survey 2018 shows an overwhelming majority of 84 per cent of village residents were happy with their life – much higher than those who had stayed in their family home. Our residents also have the added benefit of Aura Holdings’ transfer program, so if you feel you would be happier living in another of our villages in southeast Queensland, we can help with that too.
One of the most often heard statements in our village is “I wish I’d moved here sooner.’’ Vibrant retirement villages like The Atrium Lutwyche offer numerous lifestyle and social benefits. Without home maintenance, your friends on hand and state-of-the-art facilities, residents feel like they are on holiday every day.
You will never be lonely! Residents of The Atrium Lutwyche enjoy active social lives surrounded by friendly, like-minded neighbours, all relishing more leisure time without the burden of home maintenance. Aura’s villages are purpose-built for safe ageing, with added peace of mind from security and the support of your village manager and staff.
Any time after the age of 60 and you don’t need to be retired to move in. Many people move to a village from their family home because they want less maintenance and more free time. The decision to move should not be based on age but all about the lifestyle you desire.
When you walk through the village entrance you should feel right at home. The essentials of a good village are: your own beautiful apartment, a welcoming community, modern facilities, an active social life, a friendly village manager and staff. It is a place where you are respected and treasured.
You may stay in the village for as long as you wish, after all it is your home. If your needs increase over time, our in-home support provider, Five Good Friends, can help to keep you living independently. With the right support, you may never need to move again. Click here to read our blog and find more information.
In this unlikely event, your deposit is fully refundable up to the time of settlement. You can leave the village at any time. When you exit the village, the amount of Deferred Management Fee owed will be calculated on the length of your stay and deducted from the sale price of your apartment. You benefit from the capital growth on your apartment, and Aura pays both your own and our legal fees. Read more information about our DMF here.
Your contract is legislated under the Retirement Villages Act and provides you with security of tenure under Queensland Government legislation and is registered with the Queensland Land Titles Office. This ensures all services and amenities in your contract will always be available to you and that the village continues to be maintained to the highest standards.
Homecare provider Five Good Friends can provide any support you need to live happily and independently in your apartment. Whatever the task, they can provide the right person.
Residents who receive government support for their care needs are entitled to continue receiving funding when they move into our village. You can access support on-site to continue living independently through your government package or pay for it privately. A Five Good Friends Concierge can help you apply for any government assistance you might be entitled to. Find out more about Five Good Friends’ services.
We partner with quality homecare provider Five Good Friends to provide a range of support services you may need to maintain your independent lifestyle. You are, of course, welcome to use any homecare provider of your choice. Read more about Five Good Friends’ services.
General building insurance, including your apartment, is covered by Aura Holdings. You will need to purchase contents insurance to cover your personal belongings.
Yes. The village has 24-hour security and is fitted with intercoms and security cameras, while the carpark has electronic remote controls. There are security features at all building entrances. The Village Manager will ensure your home is safe, even when you are travelling. Â
Absolutely yes! Our residents can choose an apartment with a courtyard garden or grow thriving plants on their balconies. Â Read our blog about our green-thumbs residents here.
Yes. The building will be protected from termites and pests in accordance with council building regulations and Australian standards.
You should take any concerns directly to your Village Manager. If they are unable to solve any issue to your satisfaction, the village has a Residents’ Committee. Our Directors are always available and have an open-door policy.
Residents who purchase a leasehold apartment in our villages can have full confidence they have no financial responsibilities if any issues arise. Under strict legislation, Aura Holdings has full responsibility for the quality of the building and its upkeep.
If an issue arises with plumbing or electricity, or for items that were in place when you moved in, such as your oven, cooktop and dishwasher, any repairs or replacement will be covered by Aura Holdings. Learn more about the maintenance-free lifestyle offered at The Atrium Lutwyche.
Aura Holdings has the responsibility to maintain the building/s and facilities on behalf of residents. Residents contribute to the maintenance reserve fund within their weekly fees. Aura is responsible for all capital costs, including new capital improvements and capital replacement of assets over time.
Our residents determine the social calendar and you choose to engage in as much or as little as you like. Activities such as art, craft, music, book club, fitness classes, billiards, barbecues, wine tasting, guest speakers, cards and social outings are generally on offer.
Aura Holdings’ retirement communities are modern, multi-storey villages that require less land so can be constructed in prime locations close to all conveniences. Vertical villages offer residents easy access to facilities via lifts, security and privacy. Read our blog about vertical living here.
Ownership and costs
Our villages are owned and operated by experienced southeast Queensland-based company, Aura Holdings. The Directors Mark Taylor and Tim Russell have more than 35 years’ experience working within the retirement living industry. Learn more about Aura Holdings.
The Deferred Management Fee (DMF) is your contribution to the refurbishment and management of the village. It is charged on an “enjoy now, pay later” basis and deducted when your capital sum is repaid to you. It allows you to free up some capital now to enjoy your retirement. To compare our fee structure with other operators, download our DMF Comparison flyer here. You can also learn more about the DMF here.
No, but you can include your apartment in your assets and after its sale the proceeds can be distributed to your beneficiaries as per your wishes.
Yes, you can sell at any time and Aura Holdings will organise the sale of your apartment. Unlike some other villages, you will benefit from the capital gain on your apartment when you sell. Learn more here.
It’s the lifestyle, support, security and facilities that make all the difference in the village. You won’t be sharing your space with renters and Airbnb holidaymakers as you might in a regular residential complex. Aura is responsible for all capital replacement and does not charge residents for reinstatement or refurbishment at the time of resale. Owners of residential apartments must pay all capital and capital replacement costs. Download our cost of living comparison document here.
All our residents are owner-occupiers so you will need to be able to purchase your own apartment at The Atrium Lutwyche. Other expenses include the General Service Charge (the weekly fee) and residents are responsible for normal services to their apartment such as electricity, water, phone, internet and content insurance. Read more about fees here.
You will be responsible for normal services in your apartment such as electricity, phone and internet, and contents insurance.
No, in our villages you won’t pay for these services. For more information about the major benefits of maintenance-free living at The Atrium Lutwyche, please click here.
Your Village Manager can help with any maintenance issues in your apartment. If any item that was in place when you moved in needs replacing this will be done for a similarly priced product without any cost to you. To learn more about the major benefits of maintenance-free living at The Atrium Lutwyche, please click here.
The Atrium’s residents will pay their service charges monthly by way of direct debit from a nominated bank account.
These charges will rise over time as the costs of services and statutory fees increase. Aura, as the operator, is conscious of residents’ cost of living expenses so strives to deliver best value for money outcomes for them. Residents are also protected under the Qld Retirement Village Act which regulates any increases above CPI that are not statutory-based costs eg council rates. All non-statutory charges above CPI must be voted on by village residents.
This fee covers the cost of village staff, the maintenance of all common areas, plus your use and maintenance of the village facilities. It also includes building insurance, 24-hour emergency call response, council rates and water used around the village. (You will pay separately for the metered water you use in your own apartment.) Under legislation, retirement village operators may not profit from the General Service Charge. Learn more here.
At The Atrium Lutwyche, the General Service Charge ranges between $646 – $1,111 per month.* Fees are calculated by apartment size and not on the number of occupants.
*Prices correct as at July 2023 and subject to change
With leasehold you won’t pay stamp duty on your purchase and Aura Holdings, as the operator, is responsible for maintaining your apartment inside and out.
You purchase a ‘right to reside’ under a leasehold agreement overseen by the Retirement Villages Act 1999 (Qld). Your leasehold agreement will give you the right to live in your apartment for as long as you wish. The lease automatically terminates on the death of the surviving resident or when the apartment is sold.
No. Stamp duty does not apply to your retirement living apartment.
We will cater to any desire you have to own a holiday home with all the convenience and security of your current Aura Holdings village. If you buy a second apartment for a sea change or tree change at another Aura village, you won’t pay deferred management fees on the lower priced apartment. Speak to one of our sales consultants for more information.
Facilities
Yes, your Village Manager John is on hand to help with any maintenance issues that arise inside your apartment or around the village.
Your guests are most welcome to use any of the community facilities in the village when accompanied by yourself or another resident. We do expect that children are supervised, and all visitors respect the facilities and residents.
The Atrium Lutwyche provides an array of high-quality facilities including a heated pool, function room, café, wine storage, billiards and bar room, rooftop terrace, yoga and pilates area, consulting rooms for allied health professionals and library. Learn more about The Atrium Lutwyche’s facilities here.
Although there are not yet electric vehicle charging stations in our villages, Aura is looking to partner with an external provider to facilitate this service.
Design and styling
We partner with hands-on decluttering and downsizing experts who can assist you to move effortlessly from your old home into your new apartment. If you need help to furnish or style your apartment, Viera Tischljar, of VT Interiors, who styles Aura Holdings’ display apartments, can offer advice on incorporating your favourite pieces with any new purchases. Viera can be consulted for a fee.
Viera Tischljar of VT Interiors styled The Atrium’s beautiful display apartments and, for a fee, can assist with furnishing your whole apartment or placement of existing pieces. Read our blog here.
At Aura we listen to our residents and we cater to their needs, offering a wide range of apartment sizes and styles. At The Atrium Lutwyche, apartments range from one bedroom to three bedrooms. Check some of the available apartments for sale here.
We want you to feel comfortable and happy in your new home and recognise that you may wish to tailor it to your needs. Please contact your Village Manager who will endeavour to accommodate your needs and desires where possible, taking into consideration council regulations and conditions of the village’s development approval.
Residents of a vertical living development only need to hop into the lift to access all the village’s facilities. In a traditional village, you may need to walk long distances to access facilities, problematic in severe weather condition or if a resident has mobility issues. Aura is able to build vertical villages in quality locations, while traditional, sprawling villages tend to be sited in more remote areas.
If you can’t find an answer to your question by searching in this page, please email us at live@theatriumlutwyche.com.au and we’ll be happy to help you.