Calls to Simplify Retirement Living Laws

The Retirement Living committee has identified key advocacy issues for the sector in the lead up to further changes to the Retirement Living Act.

“We are fortunate that the Department of Commerce has received the Property Council’s message loud and clear that our industry requires a breather and that there should be no new legislation in the short-term,” Retirement Living committee Chairperson Marie-Louise MacDonald said.

“However, an election in April 2017 could lead to a change of government and priorities. The next step for industry is to ensure that the sector’s priority issues should be included in Bill 2,”MacDonald said.

The committee would like to see a review of “memorials” including partial lifting, to enable vertical mixed use development and co-location of aged care facilities. There is also a great need for a reduction of red tape in particular removing the requirement for the Western Australian Planning Commission to approve long-term leases.

The Committee is also calling for amendments to the current strata legislation and highlighted a need to improve the current dispute resolution process.

The committee would also like to see future amendments avoid double cooling off periods for the Agreement to Lease and then the Lease itself.

Other issues raised were the need for clarification for senior’s stamp duty, simpler rental agreements and standard contracts.

These issues and others will be discussed at the Retirement Living Conference on August 24.