"Stuck in a financial prison" - that's how some residents describe being a part of residential gated communities on land lease sites run by the company Lifestyle Communities.

Now, 80 residents are taking the publicly listed company to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

The residents claim contracts they've signed are deceptive and misleading and accuse the company of questionable conduct.

• Guest: Adele Ferguson, Investigative Reporter, ABC
• Producers: Joe Sullivan and Madeleine Hanger