Monthly Archives: March 2017

Vote for RVRA Petition to Change the Unjust Retirement Villages Act

The RVRA are appealing to village residents, their families and to the public at large for their support.

The Retirement Villages Act is ambiguous and unfair to village residents.

Many Grandparents are being taken advantage of in Retirement Villages.

Please click on one of the links below to read about the proposed changes.

If you are happy to give us your support, please vote for the Petition.

Equally important, after you have voted, please ask your family and friends to visit these Websites and vote.

Website Link     http://www.rvra.com.au/

Facebook Link   https://www.facebook.com/retirementvillageresidentsassociation

WANT TO CHANGE YOUR AUDITOR?

Residents and resident committees may seek to appoint an independent auditor of the village. This decision may arise if you are not satisfied with the current village auditor for reasons including non-compliance with requirements of the Retirement Village Act or familiarity and independence concerns with the operator. You may appoint an independent auditor who is more conversant with the legislation and the requirements of the village. The RVRA has prepared a protocol to be followed to facilitate change.

AppointingIndependentAuditorsFeb2017.pdf

VIC Government Inquiry into the retirement housing sector

Reforms recommended for retirement housing sector

A low cost, accessible and binding dispute resolution process is one of the key recommendations in a parliamentary report tabled today on the retirement housing sector in Victoria.

The Victorian Parliament’s Legal and Social Issues Committee has made 15 recommendations, aimed at both government and the sector itself, following its 12‑month investigation.

“We have a big growth in demand for retirement housing, and residents have changing expectations about what retirement living should look like. This creates a range of challenges for government and industry,” said Committee Chair Margaret Fitzherbert.

It was also clear from evidence that the dispute resolution process needs to be improved.

“Too often residents face a long and expensive road to resolve disputes, at a time in their lives when this is especially difficult,” Ms Fitzherbert said.

“The current processes aren’t up to scratch, we need a dispute resolution process with teeth. This can be done either by expanding the jurisdiction of an existing Ombudsman or through a new Ombudsman.

“It is now up to the Victorian Government to ensure that all residents of retirement housing can access firm, fair and affordable justice.”

Other recommendations made by the Committee include:

  • Improving management standards in the sector and the quality of legal advice currently available to retirees
  • A review of the Retirement Villages Act 1986 to determine the effectiveness of the Act
  • Adjusting how deferred management fees are calculated
  • Consideration of Retirement Housing Zones in Victoria.

The report is available from the Committee’s website. or direct from this link:
Inquiry into the Retirement Housing Sector(PDF 2.30 MB)