- Victorian Government hopeful the sector will become fairer for residents
- Comments are open now for six weeks until Monday, 26 April
As part of a review of the Retirement Villages Act 1986, the Victorian Government has called for public consultation on the Options Paper that was released today.
The Option Paper, which is in response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Retirement Housing Sector, will be available for six weeks.
The Victorian Government hopes laws surrounding retirement villages can be updated to provide stronger protection for vulnerable residents whilst simultaneously encouraging growth and innovation within the sector.
It hopes changes will address concerns faced by senior Victorians within the sector to ensure a fairer experience, including simplifying contractual agreements by reviewing contracts that might be too complex and the discoloured of fees and charges.
Additionally, it hopes changes include clearer obligation for repairs and maintenance along with the obligations and rights when selling a village unit.
The Option Paper follows the release of an Issues Paper and community forums in Shepparton, Geelong and Melbourne which allowed interested parties to share their views and comments.
151 submissions were received with 85% of these coming from retirement village residents.
Melissa Horne, the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor, said she is hopeful reforms can address issues residents have in retirement villages.
“We’re ensuring residents of retirement villages and their families have the opportunity to share their important stories and experiences so that we can address key issues and concerns across the sector.”
“The feedback we receive from residents, their families and other interested parties will be critical to developing the reforms – I encourage anyone interested in the retirement village sector to share their views on the Options Paper.”
Melissa Horne, Minister for Consumer Affairs
Comments close on Monday, 26 April.
