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Understanding the Retirement Village reforms

This page outlines frequently asked questions and explains the key changes under Victoria’s Retirement Village reforms and what they mean for residents. The reforms are designed to improve transparency, strengthen resident rights, and support fair and respectful village communities.

Quick Links

Contract Checks

What is a contract check?

A contract check is a document that helps you understand the financial implications of leaving the village.

How often will I receive a contract check?

The operator must provide:

  • An annual contract check.
  • A contract check whenever you request one.

What information will it include?

The contract check will provide estimates of:

  • Any fees or payments you may need to make when leaving the village.
  • Any money you may be entitled to receive when leaving.
  • The process for ending your contract and vacating or selling your residence.

Can I be charged for a contract check?

A fee may only be charged if:

  • You request the contract check; and
  • You have not already given notice that you intend to leave the village.

Resident Participation and Village Governance

How will residents be involved in decision-making?

The reforms introduce stronger requirements to ensure residents have a meaningful voice in village decisions.

What notice must be given for meetings?

Residents who are entitled to vote must receive at least 14 days’ notice before a meeting.

What decisions require a special resolution of residents?

Resident approval is required before decisions are made about:

Will technology be available for meetings?

Yes. Villages can use technology to conduct meetings and must provide support to residents who require assistance participating through technology.

What additional information will be provided at Annual General Meetings (AGMs)?

Operators and proprietors must provide clearer reporting, including:

  • Outstanding entry payments or exit entitlements and reasons for delays.
  • Financial issues that could affect the proprietor’s ability to meet future obligations.
  • A summary of capital maintenance fund activity.
  • Details of the village capital maintenance plan and progress against that plan.

Village By-Laws

What are village by-laws?

Village by-laws help manage community living and may cover topics such as:

  • Parking.
  • Visitors.
  • Pets in common areas.
  • Use of shared facilities.
  • Noise.
  • Smoking.
  • Cleanliness and rubbish disposal.

What protections do residents have?

Village by-laws must be fair, lawful and reasonable.

By-laws cannot:

  • Unreasonably restrict residents from keeping pets in their own homes.
  • Discriminate against individuals.
  • Override resident rights under contracts or legislation.
  • Unreasonably interfere with residents’ enjoyment of their home.
  • Give operators unrestricted discretion without requiring them to act reasonably

Modifying Your Home

Can I make changes to my unit?

Non-owner residents may request permission to add, remove or alter fixtures and fittings.

How long does the operator have to respond?

The operator must respond within 14 days and cannot unreasonably refuse a request.

Are there modifications that do not require approval?

Yes. These include:

  • Flyscreens.
  • Curtains and blinds.
  • Window tinting.
  • Picture hooks and shelving brackets.
  • Reasonable security systems.
  • Accessibility modifications required to meet special needs.

Maintenance and Repairs

Operator responsibilities

Operators are responsible for maintaining capital items they own, including:

  • Buildings.
  • Infrastructure.
  • Plant and equipment.
  • Common village assets.

Operators must:

  • Maintain assets in a reasonable condition.
  • Carry out repairs and replacements within a reasonable time.
  • Maintain a capital maintenance plan.
  • Operate and report on a capital maintenance fund.

Resident responsibilities

Residents must:

  • Notify the operator if maintenance is required.
  • Look after their residence.
  • Repair damage they cause, excluding normal wear and tear.

Can a resident arrange urgent repairs?

Yes, but only if:

  • The repair is urgent.
  • The resident has attempted to contact the operator.
  • The operator has not acted within an appropriate timeframe.

Emergency Planning and Safety

What safety measures are required?

Operators must:

  • Develop and maintain an emergency and evacuation plan.
  • Conduct annual safety inspections.
  • Undertake evacuation exercises.

Termination of Village Contracts

What protections are available if an operator seeks to terminate a contract?

The reforms provide stronger procedural protections for non-owner residents.

Termination for breach of contract

Before termination can occur:

  • The breach must be substantial.
  • The resident must be given 28 days to remedy the breach.
  • The action must be reasonable and proportionate.

Can residents challenge a termination notice?

Yes. Residents can apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) if they disagree with a termination decision.

What about termination for health and safety reasons?

An operator must obtain VCAT approval and demonstrate that:

  • The resident’s care needs cannot be met in the village; and
  • Remaining in the village would create a serious health or safety risk.

Complaints and Disputes

How can residents raise concerns?

Operators must maintain a formal dispute resolution process and make it available to residents.

The process must explain:

  • How to lodge a complaint.
  • How disputes will be handled.
  • How outcomes will be communicated.
  • How to contact Consumer Affairs Victoria.

Are dispute outcomes reported?

Yes. Operators must:

  • Keep records of disputes.
  • Report dispute information at the AGM.
  • Provide dispute reports to Consumer Affairs Victoria.

VicAssist Retirement Villages

What is VicAssist?

VicAssist Retirement Villages is a free conciliation service that assists residents and operators to resolve disputes early and informally.

When might VicAssist not be suitable?

Conciliation may not be available where:

  • A party is unwilling to participate.
  • There are significant legislative breaches.
  • The matter is already before VCAT.

For assistance:

Exiting a Village

When is a resident considered to have left the village?

A resident has formally exited when:

  • They stop living in the premises.
  • Their belongings have been removed.
  • Keys have been returned.
  • Any required notice period has ended.

Protections When Leaving a Village

What protections are available?

The reforms provide:

  • Limits on ongoing charges after a resident leaves. (Not Retrospective)
  • Stronger information rights for former residents and estates.
  • Clearer processes for valuation disputes.
  • Timelier payment obligations.

Reinstatement and Renovation Requirements

Am I required to renovate when leaving?

Residents who entered contracts on or after 1 May 2026 are only required to renovate if there is a written agreement that clearly sets out:

  • What work is required.
  • How costs will be shared.
  • How any gain or loss will be managed.

Residents who entered prior to 1st May 2026 refer to you agreement and the terms in regards to:

  • What work is required.
  • How costs will be shared.
  • How any gain or loss will be managed.

As these still apply.

What if there is a disagreement about reinstatement?

The reforms establish a clear process and timelines for:

  • Raising concerns.
  • Completing work.
  • Resolving disputes regarding reinstatement obligations.

Complaints and Dispute Resolution Policy

mecwacare values your feedback, view or download a copy of our Complaints and Dispute Resolution Policy below.

View our Retirement Villages

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