Vic Inquiry into Retirement Housing Sector

Inquiry into Retirement Housing SectorOn Wednesday 24 February, the Victorian Parliament agreed to an inquiry into the retirement housing sector. This inquiry is to ‘inquire into, consider and report, no later than 1 March 2017.’Housing types which will be included in the inquiry are all retirement village models including strata villages and manufactured housing estates, despite the fact that they fall under separate legislation. The terms of reference of the inquiry are broad, identifying the following:Diversity of housing types;Consumer protection;Dispute resolution;Pricing “fairness”;Management procedures and regulation;Comparable reform in interstate and overseas jurisdictions;Anecdotal evidence;The option to appoint an Ombudsman; andThe impact of local council rating on villages.The Property Council pioneered the introduction of a special differential rate category for retirement villages during 2013-14. We will continue to argue for its state-wide adoption through this inquiry. In regard to the other elements being explored, the Property Council intends to represent the 99.87 per cent of Victorian retirement village residents who are satisfied with the services they receive from the sector. A thoughtful and evidence based submission is currently being prepared on members behalf. If you would like to contribute, please contact the office on 03 96 8300.For more information click here