Your rights and responsibilities as a retirement village resident come from several sources. This page explains what each one means for you.
Retirement Villages Act and Regulations
The Act and Regulations set the legal framework for how retirement villages must operate. They outline your rights and responsibilities as a resident and specify consumer protections such as clear information before you sign a contract, fair processes and transparency about fees and charges.
They also outline your responsibilities, such as following village processes and providing accurate information when required.
Residence contract
Your residence contract explains the terms of your residency, including fees, services, your financial obligations, what you can expect from the operator, and how you can end your contract. It protects your rights by ensuring key information must be provided before you sign, and by outlining the operator’s obligations.
You are responsible for understanding the contract, paying agreed fees, and following its conditions.
Codes of conduct
The regulations establish Codes of Conduct for operators, staff and residents in retirement villages. These codes set out expected standards of behaviour and support a respectful and safe village environment.
Residence rules
Residence rules cover the day‑to‑day expectations for living in the village. They support everyone’s right to peace, comfort and safety by setting standards around things like noise, shared spaces, pets, parking and visitor access. Residents are responsible for following these rules and making sure their guests do too.
You can request a copy of the residence rules from the village operator.
Documents you can request
You can request a copy of the following documents at any time. The operator must provide a copy to you within 10 business days:
- your residence contract
- the residence rules
- a statement of the amount you would be entitled to if you stopped living in the village (your exit entitlement)
- details of all current policies of insurance for the village (such as a copy of the relevant certificates of insurance).
An operator must also make a report on the outcomes of the annual safety inspection of communal areas available to residents.
Resolving disputes
The law requires clear, fair processes for resolving disputes between residents and operators.
