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Scope of the Review from MHUD

You can view the actual PDF here, or read the contents below. [UNCLASSIFIED]Scope of Review of the Retirement Villages Act 2003At a broad level, the review will consider whether the Retirement Villages Act 2003 (the Act),associated Codes, and Regulations remain fit...

‘We’re not scared of a review’…

Stuff article 21 August 2022: “We’re not scared of a review”, says retirement village owner Graham Wilkinson, as the sector faces a Government probe into whether two-decade-old consumer protections for village residents need beefing up.

They may not be scared, but they aren’t pleased about it, and feel their sector is being unfairly criticised, or the “radical” law changes some are calling for.

Retirement village owners fight back

Stuff Article 3 Sept 2022: Retirement village owners have come up with a package of “voluntary reforms” they hope will stave off the threat of government regulation.

It includes a crack-down on unfair terms in retirement village contracts, and on village operators who take too long to return capital to residents moving out of a village…

Case Studies

Consultation – and what residents can do if it’s not happening!

The RVR receives emails from members relating to decisions being made within their village, without proper consultation, if any. While operators have a business to run and decisions need to be made and actioned, the process of consultation is in the Code of Practice to ensure residents have the opportunity to be heard and be a part of any process that may have a direct impact on their lives within the village.

Below are some case studies from our members that show how the RVR has assisted in the consultation process, and the outcomes.  Note: Names have been changed to protect identities.

 

Operator Puts Money Before Promise

From 2016 residents were ‘verbally’ told that plans were underway for a new facility with apartments and care and that once this was built that they would likely be demolishing the old poorly insulated cottages. Over the next 5 years they were given multiple verbal...

Ongoing Nightmare

Residents in a South Canterbury village are finding out, firsthand, the futility of the current legislation to fix the systemic failure of poorly designed villages. Nearly two dozen accidents have occurred at this village due to the poor construction of roading, kerbs...

Below are some examples of actual retirement village resident complaints lodged with the RVR.  Note: Names have been changed to protect identities.

 

Confusing Wording in ORA

A residents ORA states, "The resident will pay all costs incurred by the operator in restoring any damage to the interior of the unit (including the garage doors, plumbing and electrical fittings and fixtures) and keeping the appliances in good order, repair and...

Lack of Management Training, Advocacy or Enforcement

A resident entered into her ORA when there were Campervan parks designated on the plan. Clause 33.3 of her ORA - states that motorhomes are to be parked “in the designated areas set aside for this purpose”. The ORA also requires the resident to seek permission if...

Operator Charges Exorbitant ‘Transfer Fee’

A couple decided on an apartment (paying $1.3 mill) but soon realised that it was too small for their needs. They asked if there was a larger one and were told one may be coming up. They stayed on and were later able to secure an application for the larger apartment...

Residents Charged to Repair Operators’ Old Chattels

Many residents are responsible for the repairs and maintenance costs of the operator's chattels - but if it needs replacing then that is the cost of the operator. However, many villages do NOT have a replacement policy. An 82 yr old gentleman and his wife were...

Capital Loss Clauses

Some villages have residents sign up to a capital loss clause - even when they get no share in the capital gain (i.e. if the value of their unit dips, then they must cover the loss plus all other fees). One Otago village has the capital loss clause so well hidden that...

Operator Not Bound to Make Changes. No Enforcement.

A couple in a Canterbury Village have spent nearly two years trying to get the village to rectify the road and path hazards which have caused more than 20 resident accidents - one involving hospitalisation. Their disclosure statement says that the village complies...

Events Calendar

October 11, 2024

Workshops / Seminars

‘Best Practice’ SEMINARS / WORKSHOPS to be scheduled later in 2023
WHETHER you’re already living in a retirement / lifestyle village OR thinking it might be time to consider moving into one – you will have questions. The Retirement Village Residents Association (RVR) along with experienced advisors are planning to deliver these popular back-to-back 60-90 min workshops later in 2023.

 

EXISTING RESIDENTS – “Best Practice / Show Me the Money” is a 60-90 minute workshop for existing residents in retirement or lifestyle villages. It looks at the RVR’s Resident-Led, ‘Best Practice’ Guidelines for the sector, including a look at sharing capital gain vs getting your money back quicker. If you’re a member of the RVR, then this workshop is free. For non-members it’s a $10 donation – with the full amount refunded if you become a member or associate member on the day.

NOTE: You may want to let friends know that a ‘Prospective Residents Seminar’ – “Insider Advice to Choosing a Retirement Village” will run concurrently at most venues, for those thinking about moving into a village. It looks at the differences between village providers, some of the fishhooks, and key questions to ask when looking around. Plus, some insider tips that could help you save thousands!

Admission Cost: $30 single (or $40 with single take home magazine – Save $10). $40 couple (or $50 with single take home magazine – Save $10).  TO REGISTER for PROSPECTIVE RESIDENTS ONLY – VISIT: https://www.agedadvisor.nz/seminars

Tea / Coffee is included and both seminars will have a time for Q&A. “If you’re interested in a resident-led perspective on moving into or living in a retirement / lifestyle village then you will not want to miss these.” 

 

To REGISTER or to be kept updated as to when new seminars are posted CLICK HERE

 

COVID

LATEST VILLAGE UPDATE – 07 December 2021

The Retirement Villages Association (RVA) has prepared the following COVID-19 information for retirement village residents and families.

Note that this advice has been prepared based on the information on the Business New Zealand website and the RVA have not yet had the opportunity to check that this information is consistent with the Public Health Order released on Wednesday 1 December 2021.  They are reviewing the PHO now.

Traffic Light Guidance for Residents and Families

Under these instructions, there are opportunities for villages to offer mixed options for both vaccinated and non-vaccinated residents, understanding that capacity limits will differ. There is also the option to switch between requiring My Vaccine Pass and not requiring it. This would allow villages to offer access to facilities at alternative times. We will aim to offer more comments going forward.

COVID has been the daily news topic for over 100 days now.  And if there’s one thing that’s certain – it’s that the rules for managing it are very blurred. While we wait for a Government Health Order to be released (at time of publication), Retirement Village residents are left wondering what they can do and who is allowed to use communal facilities. One thing remains constant and that’s the need for village operators to consult with residents on any changes surrounding access to or the use of communal areas for any residents. Recent stories have emerged where some village operators have banned residents from entering areas unless they can prove having received 2 jabs of the Pfizer vaccine. While this may be regarded as a move for the ‘greater majority’ – there is (at the time of writing this article) no government requirement to ban residents that are not double jabbed from entering communal areas. 28.2b of the Code of Practice (CoP) requires operators to consult residents “about the content of any proposed rules if not already established by the operator, or any proposed amendment or addition…

This would normally occur through a general meeting giving residents an opportunity to respond to any proposed changes.
28.3-28.7 of the CoP lays out the requirements of the consultation process. If an operator has restricted use of the facilities to certain residents, then this raises the following questions; 

  • What refund of fees should the resident(s) be entitled to from their weekly fees?
  • If a resident decides that this is a breach of their ORA then what options are available to them?
  • Should a resident (now restricted from access to services they bought in to) be given the opportunity to a full refund of their capital sum due to services not being available?
While some discussion is yet to happen, we would encourage residents to file a formal complaint if they have been denied the opportunity for consultation. Feel free to use our online complaint form: Making a Formal Complaint

 

Quiz Questions

Quiz questions and answers are available to purchase.  30 quiz sessions, each with 30 questions, for a $30 donation.

That’s 900 pre-formatted questions and answers involving general knowledge that have been compiled and tested by Allan, a resident at Anthony Wilding Retirement Village.   Only $30 donation, for their Resident’s Committee. 

Below is a sample of some of the types of questions and answers you can expect to receive.  Allan’s contact details are in the Sample Quiz Questions document.

Sample Quiz Questions

Sample Quiz Answers

 

 

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