membership
About Us
The RVR is a national association, focused on providing a voice for residents in retirement villages, concerning the issues related to the legislation and code of practice that govern the organisation and running of retirement villages.
The RVR has been formed to promote and protect the rights of retirement village residents in New Zealand.
The focus is on the Retirement Villages Act 2003 and the Retirement Villages Code of Practice 2008.
The Act defines the rights of retirement village residents when they commit to an Occupation Right Agreement (ORA) with the owner of the retirement village, in which they purchase a license to occupy a villa, cottage, or apartment.
The purpose is:
- to have residents views and requirements taken seriously,
- to highlight anomalies and injustices in the Act,
- to identify and point out anomalies and injustices in the way the Act is interpreted.
Why Join
The RVR protects the rights of retirement village residents in New Zealand
The focus is on the Retirement Villages Act 2003 and the Retirement Villages Code of Practice 2008.
The Act defines the rights of retirement village residents when they commit to an Occupation Right Agreement with the owner of the retirement village, in which they purchase a license to occupy a villa, cottage, or apartment.
It is important that RVR spokespeople have a genuine mandate to speak on behalf of the resident body, rather than pursuing issues of importance to an individual.
Benefits of Membership
Peace of mind knowing that there is an association that’s ensuring fair and equitable terms for retirement village living [See ‘RVR Achievements below’].
Quarterly newsletters on developments within the sector and stories from around the country on how residents are making the most of village life.
Assistance with connecting you or your residents committee to additional help, if needed.
Your membership also assists village residents who may not enjoy the same conditions as you.
RVR Achievements
1. The Rates Rebate Act Amendment. This allows residents to now claim up to $630 per annum. Our support was specifically acknowledged by Ruth Dyson in Parliament when it was passed into law in 2018.
2. The cessation of weekly maintenance fees on exit. Since our first submissions were made to the Stakeholder Forum many of the large operators have now stopped charging fees after exit.
3.The need for residents to be able to fund their transition into care. Within two months of submitting this issue at a stakeholder forum a large village operator announced it would make an immediate $20,000 advance on their settlement of capital, where necessary. Others are now following suit with alternatives.
4. The RVR has continued to raise the issues around uncapped weekly fees. Many large operators have now shifted to fixed weekly village fees for life, instead of increasing them over a residents tenure.
5. Removal of Capital Loss clause. Prior to the RVR, most ORAs contained a clause permitting the operator to take any capital loss incurred in the relicensing of their unit from the outgoing residents DMF. Most operators have now removed that clause.
6. Clarifying the definition of refurbishment. This has always been controversial and ongoing consultation will hopefully see those remaining operators that have misused the definition, follow indicated standards.
7. Removal of multiple DMFs. Most operators now do not charge multiple village contributions if you move within the village, e.g. from a villa to a serviced apartment. Some are yet to follow this standard.
Please consider making a one-off donation via our give-a-little page of $10, $25, $50 OR by bank deposit – Westpac 03 0389 0004586 05 (Include your Name, Village & town/city as reference).
Note: Donations received will be set aside for assisting residents or committees with legal help, or legal challenges at a national level.
Memberships and Renewals
Your financial support through annual RVR membership is vital for ensuring residents have a voice and that legislative changes benefit all of us. Membership is currently set at:
- A Joining Fee of $10 per person (one-off) AND
- Single $30 one person living in a dwelling (per annum)
- Couple $40 two people living in a dwelling (per annum)
OR… Platinum Memberships* for 5 or 10 years based on the annual rate.
- Platinum Single – 5 yrs $150 OR 10 yrs $295
- Platinum Couple – 5 yrs $195 OR 10 yrs $395
* ‘Platinum Membership’ offers a one-time registration fee and no yearly renewal required. You lock in the annual rate, receive a personalised card and help reduce our admin time.
Associate Membership also available from $25 per single.
How To Join
1. As an individual or couple:
Go ONLINE – Click the below button and pay by credit card or online banking.
By BANK DEPOSIT – Westpac 03 0389 0004586 05 (Include your Name, Village & Town / City as reference OR your ClubHub ID starting with CH if renewing).
Via your RESIDENTS COMMITTEE – Download a Village registration form from Here and give it to your residents committee with your cash payment. Check with your committee first.
2. As a Village or Residents Association:
Download a Village registration form from Here or email our Registrar, registrar@rvr.org.nz, to request a copy.
3. Contact your village or regional RVR Representative.
Constitution and Rules
Click the buttons below to download the PDF files that give you the full text of the Constitution and Rules.
Please feel free to use this form to contact us through the
RVR website