The commissioner has been calling for a review of the legislation since 2020
Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson has commended the government’s move to continue the review of the Retirement Villages Act 2003.
Notably, the associate minister for housing, Tama Potaka, and Seniors Minister Casey Costellohas announced that the government will be focusing on the review with regards to three priority areas which were maintenance and repairs of operator-owned chattels and fixtures, managing complaints and disputes, and options for incentivising or requiring earlier capital repayment when residents move out of a village.
Wrightson said that the three areas that the government was focusing on aligned with the issues that she has been raising for the past few years.
“There are longstanding issues that need to be resolved with a holistic look at the system. Changes will ultimately be good, not just for the residents, but those in the industry as well. Having a fit-for-purpose, independent complaints scheme for example, will help take the onus off village managers from trying to resolve the messier disputes and provide a safety valve for both parties,” said Wrightson.
The commissioner added that the act of providing payment to residents or their families that were waiting for the License to Occupy to sell will make the jobs of village managers much easier, as there will be fewer distressed families that are not sure if they will be able to afford the rest-home care of their parents.
Wrightson first called for the review of the legislation after the release of her white paper, which was published in 2020, as well as the response to submissions that was later received in 2021.
“Retirement villages remain an attractive choice for some older New Zealanders, providing a sense of community and a quality option for those who wish to downsize,” said Wrightson.
“I look forward to a speedy resolution to address the most significant concerns we have with the current legislation and see the consumer protections for residents strengthened.”
