Understanding Land Lease:
The Modern Way to Own

At Champlain Village, we utilize a Land Lease model. It is a simple, proven way to make high-quality homeownership more affordable while ensuring a professionally managed, cohesive community.

How It Works

  • In a land lease community, you own your home outright, but you lease the land it sits on.
  • The Home: You hold the title to your brand-new, modern duplex. You build equity in the structure, just like a traditional house.
  • The Land: You pay a monthly land lease fee to Champlain Village. This fee covers your right to use the lot and contributes to the maintenance of the community’s infrastructure.

What it means for you

Lower Upfront Cost

You aren’t paying $200,000+ for a plot of land. This keeps your purchase price significantly lower, leaving more money in your pocket for retirement or travel.

Professional Management

Because the community owner retains ownership of the land, they have a vested interest in keeping the roads, landscaping, and common areas in pristine condition.

Predictable Living

Land lease communities often provide more stability than traditional condo boards, with clear rules that protect your home’s value and your quiet enjoyment.

Estate Rights

Your home is your asset. You can sell it or pass it on to your heirs, just like any other piece of property.

Frequently Asked Questions:
Living at Champlain Village

Do I really own my home?

Yes. You own your home 100%, just like a traditional house. You hold the title to the structure and have the same rights to sell, renovate (subject to community standards), or pass it on to your heirs as any other homeowner. The only difference is that you are leasing the lot from Champlain Village rather than buying the “dirt”.

How am I protected by Ontario law?

Champlain Village is a “Land Lease Community” as defined under the Ontario Residential Tenancies Act (RTA). This is a major benefit for you, as it provides:

  • Security of Tenure: You have a legal right to occupy your lot as long as you pay your fees and follow community rules.
  • Maintenance Standards: The RTA mandates that the community owner must keep all infrastructure (roads, water, sewage, common areas) in a good state of repair.
  • Dispute Resolution: You have access to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) to resolve any disagreements, providing a fair and regulated environment.

What happens if I want to sell my home?

You have the right to sell your home at any time. Under the RTA, the landlord cannot prevent you from selling your home or reasonably refuse to “assign” the lease to a qualified new buyer. This ensures your home remains a liquid and valuable asset.

Who is responsible for maintenance?

  • The Community Owner (Summerhill Resorts): Responsible for the “big stuff”—maintaining the roads (including snow removal), the water and septic systems, and ensuring the common grounds are safe and clean.
  • The Homeowner: Responsible for the interior and exterior of your home and the general cleanliness of your immediate lot.

Is it hard to get a mortgage for a land lease home?

Not at all. Many major Canadian lenders provide “Chattel Mortgages” for manufactured homes in land lease communities. Because you are borrowing a smaller amount (since you aren’t buying the land), your monthly mortgage payments are often significantly lower than they would be for a traditional freehold home.