Von Slater leads Serenitas, one of Australia’s largest land lease community operators, focused on creating quality, secure, and lifestyle-driven housing options for over-50s. With a background in real estate, financial services, and operations, Von is passionate about expanding housing choice and creating communities that promote wellbeing, affordability, and connection.

You’ve described Serenitas communities as being “more than just housing”—offering connection, lifestyle, and security. As Australia’s population ages, how do you see the land lease model evolving to meet the needs of future retirees? What innovations — whether social, design-based, or technological — do you think will define the next generation of communities?

At Serenitas, we believe it’s about providing Australians aged 50 and over with a housing solution that unlocks financial freedom, promotes active living and social connection, through purpose built facilities—that might not otherwise be possible without this model. This allows our homeowners to live well and age with confidence.

Our homes are aspirational, yet affordable. They are modern but homely, and most importantly, part of a welcoming community that offers safety and security.

Our communities are also well-connected—not just internally, but also to local amenities and essential services in the surrounding region. That broader connectivity is increasingly important as people prioritise accessibility, independence, and lifestyle.

Socially, we’re seeing a growing desire for purpose and engagement in later life. So we’re providing facilities like clubhouses that support diverse, homeowner-led activities, wellness programs, and community events that support mental health and foster stronger community ties.

From a design perspective, flexibility will be key. Homes and shared spaces need to be adaptable to changing health needs and lifestyles, while still feeling modern and welcoming. We’re also placing greater emphasis on sustainability, ensuring our communities are built with longevity in mind including green space, walking tracks, and community gardens, alongside the security features residents value.

Technologically, the integration of smart home features and community connectivity platforms such as our Liveability booking and comms app will be game-changers. These tools won’t just improve quality of life—they’ll support independent living for longer, offer peace of mind, and help residents stay connected.

With affordability under pressure across the board, what role can land lease communities play in addressing the “missing middle” in the housing market, especially for downsizers who don’t qualify for social housing but can’t afford traditional retirement villages?

At the heart of land lease communities is the goal of offering a smarter, simpler way to own your home and enjoy resort-style living—making this model an ideal solution for Australia’s “missing middle.” These are homeowners who may not qualify for social housing but find traditional retirement villages either unaffordable or misaligned with their lifestyle goals.

With no stamp duty, no entry or exit fees, and the potential to access Commonwealth Rent Assistance (if eligible), the land lease model unlocks genuine financial freedom. It allows homeowners to downsize affordably while retaining equity and independence.

But it’s not just about affordability. Welcoming social spaces, like our clubhouses and shared facilities, are designed to be the heart of the community, supporting a vibrant calendar of homeowner-led events and activities. These environments help foster active social groups, connection, wellbeing, and a strong sense of belonging.

At a time when housing pressure is being felt across all demographics, our communities offer to unlock a financial solution, but a lifestyle choice—where resort-style living, greater freedom, and a sense that life is better when shared come together. What we’ve created is a model built for ease, designed for lifestyle, and tailored for the way people want to live today.

What policy or regulatory changes could unlock greater impact from the land lease sector?

From Serenitas’ perspective, the land lease sector has enormous potential to provide an aspirational yet affordable housing solution to Australia’s ageing population. But several policy and regulatory changes could help unlock even greater impact:

• Planning and zoning reform: Greater recognition of land lease communities in local and state planning frameworks is essential. Streamlining approvals and zoning pathways, especially near transport and health infrastructure, would accelerate development and support better housing outcomes.
• Improved access to Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA): Increasing awareness and eligibility for CRA would make this model even more accessible—especially for those in the “missing middle” who don’t qualify for social housing but still need support
• Remove the need for the homes to be relocatable: Homes in land lease communities are currently required to be relocatable. This adds significant extra cost to construction, which is passed on to the homeowner. In reality, no one ever relocates these homes—they are built to last and remain in place for the long term. Removing this requirement would eliminate unnecessary expense and deliver more affordable pricing for homeowners.
• A suitable loan product: Currently, there are very limited loan products available for this type of home, which means most customers must rely on having the full capital upfront to purchase. This lack of financing options restricts accessibility and limits market growth. As an industry, there is a significant opportunity to expand loan availability—particularly if extended beyond over-50s into all-ages communities—similar to what we see in overseas markets. Readily available loan products would open the door for more customers and support broader industry growth.

At Serenitas, we believe the land lease model is a proven, scalable housing solution. With the right policy settings, it can play a much greater role in delivering affordable, aspirational, and well-connected communities across Australia.

Demographic shifts are already reshaping what “retirement living” looks like. What expectations are emerging among younger retirees, and how are you responding to the desire for more active, tech-enabled, and socially connected lifestyles?

At Serenitas, we’re not building traditional retirement villages — we’re creating welcoming, resort-style communities designed for over-50s who want to live life on their own terms. A key part of this is designing homes that not only look and feel like modern, well-appointed residences but are also thoughtfully created to support ageing in place.

Our homes are low-maintenance and future-proofed, with layouts that allow for easy circulation and flexibility. While they present as light-filled, contemporary homes with quality finishes, they’re also designed with the future in mind—whether that’s space to add grab rails, ensuring walkers can fit comfortably around beds, or planning for other features that help homeowners remain in their homes longer.

We’ve also invested in technology that strengthens both convenience and connection. Across all our communities, we’ve rolled out a digital platform that allows us to share updates while enabling homeowners to plan social events, build networks, and connect with a broader community. Today’s and tomorrow’s homeowners are increasingly tech-savvy, and they value the ability to stay connected both online and offline.

Ultimately, our focus is on creating communities that enable independence, connection, and wellbeing for the long term. It’s not just about moving into a beautiful home—it’s about ensuring that home continues to meet your needs as you age, so you can live well, not just longer, but better.

Serenitas now operates across multiple states and regions. What are the key differences you see in tenant needs or regulatory frameworks between metro, regional, and coastal locations—and how do you adapt your communities accordingly?

Serenitas now supports over 7,700 Australians across 31 communities, and what we consistently see is that the main drivers are the same no matter where people choose to live. Homeowners are looking for financial freedom, safety and security, and a strong sense of community. They also want a housing product that not only suits their lifestyle today but is flexible enough to meet their needs into the future.

Where we do see variation is in how these priorities are expressed across different locations. In urban areas, homeowners are often more focused on proximity to healthcare, public transport, and the conveniences of city living. Compact, low-maintenance homes and secure “lock-up-and-leave” options are particularly valued here.

In more regional and coastal areas, lifestyle and location tend to play a bigger role. People are drawn by the natural beauty and recreational opportunities—whether that’s walking tracks, national parks, or the appeal of being close to the water. Communities in these locations often emphasise outdoor living, space, and facilities that make the most of their setting.

Across all regions, our approach is the same: listen to local needs, respond to what homeowners value most, and design communities that deliver financial peace of mind, security, and a supportive lifestyle that grows with them.

Looking ahead 5–10 years, where do you see the greatest disruption or opportunity in the living sectors—whether from ESG pressures, AI and smart tech integration, or changing tenure preferences?

Looking ahead, we see significant opportunity and disruption in the living sectors, driven by evolving lifestyle expectations, financial models, and demographic shifts.

A continual trend is the growing focus on health and wellness. People are seeking more than just a home—they want communities that support their overall wellbeing, with amenities and environments that promote active, social, and connected lifestyles. That extends beyond the community gates, with a strong desire to feel part of the wider neighbourhood and local fabric.

Financial freedom is another defining theme. The land lease model—where you own the home but lease the land—continues to gain traction as Australians look for housing solutions that deliver security and lifestyle without the burden of traditional homeownership. This will expand further as more self-funded retirees enter the market, driving demand for both premium communities at the higher end and more affordable options at the other—widening the spectrum of what land lease living can offer.

Generational change will also reshape the market. As Gen X approaches retirement, their needs and expectations will look very different from baby boomers. Many will still carry home debt, making the financial structures that support entry into land lease communities—such as debt financing options—critical. These models not only create accessibility for retirees but also have the potential to open the door to younger buyers, positioning land lease as a broader, more affordable housing option for first home buyers and other demographics.

Technology and ESG remain powerful forces. Residents are increasingly conscious of sustainability—asking questions about energy efficiency, water use, and building materials. At the same time, AI, automation, and smart tech will change how communities are managed and how residents live day-to-day, from predictive maintenance to in-home safety and health monitoring.

Ultimately, the greatest opportunities lie in creating adaptable, future-ready communities that deliver on wellness, financial freedom, sustainability, and connection—while flexing to the evolving expectations of each new generation

Von Slater will be joining us at the Living Sectors Summit this November. View the brochure for details on her session and the full two-day agenda.