THE Queensland government has passed long-awaited reforms to retirement village legislation.
Changes to the Retirement Villages Act 1999 include:
- Simplified standard contracts
- Clear upfront declaration of ongoing fees and charges
- A minimum 21-day cool-off period to evaluate a contract before signing
- Fairer unit reinstatement arrangements before resale
- Enforceable behaviour standards for village operators and residents.
Amendments to the Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Act 2003, relating to behaviour standards and limits on rent increases, were also passed.
In parliament, Housing Minister Mick de Brenni described the new laws as "landmark reforms", saying they would "protect vulnerable Queenslanders, particularly our seniors, from rip-offs and exploitation".
However much-wanted retrospectivity in prompt exit entitlements, protecting current retirement village residents, has been set aside for a further independent review.
While conceding an 18-month timeframe for payment of exit entitlements would provide a safety net for residents needing to fund another place of residence, such as aged care or nursing care, Minister de Brenni said a balance needed to be struck between residents' needs and operators' concerns around financial and viability impacts.
Key seniors organisations involved in the review, including the Council on the Ageing, National Seniors Australia, Association of Residents of Queensland Retirement Villages and Associated Residential Parks Queensland, have welcomed the changes, which become law on gaining royal assent from Governor Paul de Jersey.
"A wide range of safeguards have been put in place to ensure residents get a 'fair go' and many inequities have now been rectified," Association of Residents of Queensland Retirement Villages Judy Mayfield told The Senior.