Friday 6th July 2018
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh says an elected Nationals Government will provide a better support for senior Victorians by establishing a Retirement Housing Ombudsman.
A dedicated Ombudsman will offer senior Victorians the help they need to resolve problems including unfair fees inadequate repairs and maintenance and property sale delays and costs.
“All senior Victorians deserve a comfortable and secure retirement” Mr Walsh said.
“The creation of a Retirement Housing Ombudsman will provide retirement housing residents with access to free and independent dispute resolution without the need for lawyers and it will add incentive for operators to find flexible solutions and settle disputes internally” he said.
Senior Victorians cannot currently access dedicated assistance to resolve retirement housing disputes.
“This leaves people with no other option but to launch costly legal proceedings.”
The Consumer Action Law Centre Housing for the Aged Action Group Residents of Retirement Villages Victoria and Council on The Ageing have recommended that an Ombudsman is needed to provide free fair and effective dispute resolution services to residents.
These organisations collectively report that they consistently receive complaints from residents and their families from across Victoria about retirement housing.
“Only a Nationals Government will ensure senior Victorians living in retirement and lifestyle villages feel safe and protected so they can spend less time worrying and more time enjoying their well-earned retirement.”
There are currently more than 440 registered retirement operators in Victoria housing approximately 45 000 residents.