The Village by the Arboretum (VBA) in Guelph is a 55+ active adult community just south of the University of Guelph occupying 112 acres. It’s a unique concept: buyers of homes in this area do not own the land it sits on- this is land leased to Reid’s Heritage Homes from the University of Guelph.
This is also not run by a condo corporation: owners at the Village by the Arboretum own the home as if it was freehold. Owners pay rent to Reid’s (not condo fees) who then pay the University.
Presently there are about 1250 Residents who call the Village by the Arboretum home.
According to the Village by the Arboretum website:
Q. Are there any special requirements to purchase a home in the VBA?
A. No, there are no special requirements, other than the normal ones, including financial. The Village by the Arboretum is an adult-lifestyle community with a restriction of two persons per residence.
Note that financing a property in the VBA can be tricky, as most major lenders have restrictions around lending on leased land properties.
Q. What are the sizes of the houses and mid-rise condominium/apartments?
A. The size of the average house is about 1300 square feet, ranging from a 1045 square foot town home, to a 2200 square foot bungalow or 2 story cottage-style. Most houses are two bedroom bungalows. The mid-rise condominiums/apartments, some of which will be designated for assisted living, range from 1000 square feet to 1675 square feet.
Q. Why have an entrance gate?
A. The VBA is an adult-lifestyle community where many of the residents have a high level of concern about security. The front entrance gate provides controlled access from 9:00 pm to 6:00 am. At all other times, vehicles can freely enter the VBA grounds.
Q. Are Guelph tax dollars paying for VBA roads?
A. The City of Guelph does not pay for VBA maintenance other than police and fire protection as well garbage collection. VBA residents pay for some services, over and above taxes; i.e. snow removal, street cleaning, road maintenance etc. In fact, the VBA residents pay normal city taxes, and pay a monthly maintenance fee as well.
Q. Are the VBA residents involved in any City of Guelph activities?
A. Absolutely. Our residents pride themselves in their community involvement in various areas such as social activities, donating to numerous charitable causes, as well as direct participation on boards of several volunteer organizations. The Village Choir performs in nursing homes in Guelph. For many years, residents have conducted an annual litter cleanup on Stone Road, the road in front of the VBA entrance gate, from Victoria Road westward to Gordon Street.
Q. Do any VBA residents come from Guelph?
A. While the majority of the residents are from the Toronto area, many come from in and around Guelph. A lot of these local individuals have downsized by moving into the Village by the Arboretum and still remain active within the City.
Q. Why do residents buy homes in the VBA?
A. The City of Guelph is an attractive and vibrant community and its location relatively close to Toronto has proven to be a positive feature. The location of the VBA adjacent to the University of Guelph has been an important factor in attracting many residents.
Q. Is the VBA a condo corporation? Why are there fees?
The VBA is not a condo corporation and is governed by the Residential Tenancy Act. As a result, owners (tenants) pay rent to cover the costs of running the community including snow removal, landscaping and the operations at the Village Centre. A portion of the rent is held for larger capital costs and is maintained by Reids and the University of Guelph.
Q. Do any of the fees cover costs of my home like a condo?
Unlike a condo, fees do not cover property specific replacements. An owner in the VBA is responsible for all maintenance and replacement of the components of the home. This includes windows, roof, doors and more. Replacement of these items must comply with the VBA exterior compliance guidelines to ensure a uniform look.
Q. Do I own the home on the land?
Yes. In the VBA, you own the home, but not the land it is on. You are responsible for all the regular maintenance of the home including HVAC, roof, windows and doors. The VBA is not a life lease community
Located adjacent to the University’s 500-acre Arboretum and between the neighbourhoods of Old University and Kortright East, the VBA offers an active adult lifestyle within the Guelph city limits and near the cultural offerings of a large university and a vibrant urban community.
There is a large Recreation Centre with an indoor pool, auditorium and many activity rooms. Outdoors and within the Village by the Arboretum grounds are tennis courts, shuffleboard, bocce and horseshoe tossing facilities.
This community rarely has homes for sale and when they do come up, they go quick! If you’d like more information on homes in the VBA, get in touch with Beth and Ryan Waller, Guelph real estate agents.
Beth and Ryan have helped buyers and sellers in this development, including:
Questions on homes in the Village by Arboretum? Give Beth and Ryan Waller, Guelph real estate agents a call. We can even give you a tour of the facilities!
