Association CEO, Lyndel Gray, says the sector wants to help tackle the housing supply and affordability crisis.
However, the Association is in talks with the NSW Government to try and change laws and regulations hindering land lease community operators from building more greenfield developments in Greater Sydney.
Lyndel is calling on the government to:
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Remove the current restriction on manufactured home estates being built in the Sydney Region from the State Housing Planning Policy and implementing reforms increasing land availability and streamline planning pathways for these developments;
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Not limit the definition of a manufactured home to a prefabricated building manufactured away from the site at which it is to be installed, but rather allowing for manufactured homes used in land lease communities to be constructed offsite or onsite under streamlined, fit-for-purpose approval and certification processes; and
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Ensure the planning and building reforms are undertaken concurrently and in thorough consultation with the industry to avoid unintended consequences. This includes safeguarding the rights of homeowners under the Residential (Land Lease) Communities Act 2013 and their eligibility for Commonwealth Rental Assistance, as well as leasing and tax entitlements of operators, by avoiding changes that could cause manufactured homes to be considered fixtures once installed on land.
“The potential of the sector could be expanded through modernised, fit-for-purpose planning and building laws, and we welcome the sector and all levels of government coming together to focus on solutions to current barriers,” said Lyndel.
“Demand for land lease living has been growing despite outdated planning and building laws, but that is not a reason to accept the status quo. Reforms for our sector are long overdue, and NSW needs to catch up quickly if we are to have any hope of significantly increasing housing supply.”
The Land Lease Living Industry Association of NSW claims there are approximately 500 land lease communities located across NSW, housing over 34,000 people.
