On 4 December 2025, after much lobbying of the Government and Opposition members of Parliament to reform the Retirement Villages Act 2003 (Act), the Associate Housing Minister announced that changes were being made to the Act; the proposed Retirement Villages Amendment Bill (Bill) is expected to be introduced to Parliament later this year. Stakeholders and the public will then have an opportunity to voice their thoughts on the proposed changes during the select committee stage.
These proposed changes focus on three key areas for residents: entry into the village, living at the village, and exiting the village. These proposed changes should give residents more certainty about their rights under their occupation right agreement, be more balanced and fairer, and make the rules clearer and easier to understand. It is important to note however that most proposed changes (including the repayment of a resident’s capital on exit) will not be retrospective; changes will only apply to a resident that has signed an occupation right agreement one year after the Bill has come into force. We highlight the main proposed changes to the Act in the table below.
It will be interesting to see what feedback the Government receives from stakeholders and the public once the Bill has been introduced and whether any further changes will be made to the Act.
If you have any comments about the proposed changes to the Act, please get in touch with Elizabeth Rabier.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is current at the date of publishing and is of a general nature. It should be used as a guide only and not as a substitute for obtaining legal advice. Specific legal advice should be sought where required.
