7 Aug 2024

Retirement village residents call for overhaul of legislation

From Nine To Noon, 9:08 am on 7 August 2024

Retirement village operators say they're open to the idea of an ombudsman scheme to deal with complaints from residents.

Over 53,000 New Zealanders currently live in retirement villages, with around 130 people move in to one each week.

A new nationwide campaign, "Unite for Seniors," backed by the Retirement Village Residents Members Association, is calling for a radical overhaul of what is described as unfair laws governing retirement villages.

A review of the 20-year-old Retirement Villages Act by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is underway and over 11,000 submissions have been made.

Residents who do not own their units and only have rights to reside, must cover maintenance costs, and lose out when licences to occupy are resold when they leave. 

Consumer NZ has been campaigning for a law change for some time.

Paddy speaks to Consumer's investigative team leader Rebecca Styles and also the Retirement Village Association's executive director John Collyns.

Ryman Healthcare Patrick Hogan village.

Ryman Healthcare Patrick Hogan village. Photo: Supplied