This week’s question is around the redevelopment or sale of a village.
Question: My village has recently been sold to a new company and they have announced they are about to commence redevelopment. I am 80 years old, on the pension, and have lived in this village for 10 years. I am concerned that I will have to move to another village, and this will cost me a lot of money which I do not have. Could you tell me what rights I have in this situation?
The RVRA’s answer: This upheaval to your life is regrettable, but unfortunately is occurring more and more as our retirement villages age and new operators take them over with a plan to increase their value, often by building upwards.
You are protected under the Retirement Villages Act 1999. If you are asked to move out the Act requires that a development consent should be obtained for the proposed redevelopment, you be given 12 months’ notice, and that you are provided with alternative accommodation of approximately the same standard and cost (s 136). If your present contract is to be varied, the Operator must obtain your written agreement and pay reasonable legal fees (s 29).
Your Operator will no doubt discuss with you and your fellow residents, compensation for moving expenses, re-housing in the redeveloped village, and other matters that might apply.
For a more detailed discussion on the sale or redevelopment of villages and the implications for residents, RVRA members can read the article by Peter Hill of Hill and Co Lawyers (Honorary Solicitor to the RVRA) in the April edition of the RVRA Newsletter No 135.
Learn more about the RVRA HERE.
