Owning a home not for everyone

Home ownership may not suit everyone's budget or lifestyle and it is worthwhile considering the alternatives to it

The media encourages us to fulfil the dream of owning our own home, but home ownership is not for everyone.

When thinking about the type of living arrangement that is best for you, it is a good idea to weigh up all of your options.

It is also worth thinking about how your living needs may change in the future and making sure that your choice of living arrangement can meet those expected changes. For example, you may be thinking about starting a family or moving to a job in a different suburb, or you might have elderly parents who are living with you or intend to live with you in the future.

Here are a few examples of different sorts of housing options that you may wish to consider.

Boarding and lodging

If you are a boarder, you have permission to stay at another person's property, for which you pay rent, and usually, meals are provided. Lodgers pay rent to stay at another person's property, but usually, meals are not supplied.

Advantages

The arrangement can work well if you get along with the owner and/or other housemates.
Depending on your agreement with the owner, you may only have to give the owner a short period of notice that you intend to leave.

Disadvantages

Generally you can't control who is able to live in or visit the property.
Depending on your agreement, the owner may only have to give you a short period of notice to leave.
There may be "house rules" about matters such as keeping pets, using common facilities and the amount of noise that is acceptable.

Our publication Boarders and lodgers - A guide to your rights and responsibilities [PDF 336kb] can be viewed here. Copies of the pamphlet can be obtained from our Call Centre on 1300 30 40 54.

Renting

Renters (or tenants) can generally exclude anyone, including the owner, from accessing the property or land site that they rent. However, owners may carry out inspections of the property as long as they comply with the law.

Advantages

Tenants have their rights and responsibilities set out in the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 and other laws.
You may be able to afford to rent, but not to buy a house, in your preferred suburb.
Generally, and you should check that this is the case, you don't need to worry about paying local authority (council) and water rates or doing repairs to the house that are the result of fair wear and tear.

Disadvantages

Generally owners are able to ask tenants to leave by giving them the appropriate notice required by law.
There are likely to be rules about how the property should be used, for example whether pets may be kept on the property.
You may be penalised if you leave the property before the lease expires.

Our publication Renting a Home in WA: The Essential Guide [PDF 640kb] can be viewed here. Copies of the booklet can be obtained from our Call Centre on 1300 30 40 54.

Mobile homes

Mobile homes for living (rather than holidaying) include buying or renting a caravan or park home. The land site on which the caravan or park home is placed is generally leased.

Advantages

The legal rights and responsibilities of caravan park owners and residents are set out in the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 and the Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds Act 1995.
The cost of buying a mobile home is generally less than buying or building.
The land sites are generally located in natural settings, are close to popular amenities where you may meet new people and might also be sites you may not normally be able to afford to buy.

Disadvantages

The cost of relocating a mobile home can sometimes be high.
There are often rules that may affect and how you behave on the land site, for example making noise, having visitors and pets and the use of common facilities.
If you do not own the land, the property owner can generally ask you to leave by giving you the appropriate notice required by law.

Retirement villages and over 55 complexes

There are a number of options for the over 55 age group, who may not only be thinking about "putting a roof over their head," but may also be looking to live a different lifestyle.

Advantages

Many complexes offer residents direct access to facilities that may enhance their quality of life, such as maintained swimming pools, gymnasiums and gardens.
Some complexes provide access to facilities that offer residents greater peace of mind, including security and health care.
Many complexes provide opportunities for similar aged residents to meet and socialise.
Depending on the complex, residents have their legal rights and responsibilities set out in the Retirement Villages Act 1992, the Code of Fair Practice for Retirement Villages and other law.
The units may be smaller than the current family home and therefore easier to clean, live in and maintain.

Disadvantages

If you own or occupy a unit in a complex, restrictions and/or fees may apply when selling the unit.
Complexes require that residents pay ongoing fees and sometimes these ongoing fees must still be paid even if you leave and your unit is not immediately re-sold, re-leased or occupied.
Complexes are generally designed for people to live closer together, which may sometimes create disagreements.