Retirement Villages

Retirement village contracts are legally binding documents that outline the terms and conditions of residency. They typically cover matters such as:

• Tenure arrangements (for example, leasehold or licence)
• Rights and responsibilities of residents and operators
• Fees and other charges
• Dispute resolution procedures

Retirement village legislation typically requires operators to provide prospective residents with detailed disclosure documents before they enter into a contract. These documents must include information about the village's:

• Facilities
• Services
• Fees and other charges
• Terms and conditions of residency

We pride ourselves in providing a multi-disciplinary, client-focused approach to legal services. Our clients include Individuals purchasing or selling retirement village properties.

For each of these clients, we aim to provide comprehensive services that cover a range of areas.

• Reviewing Retirement Village Agreements: We can review retirement village agreements on behalf of clients to ensure that the terms and conditions are fair and reasonable. We can provide advice on the legal implications of the agreement, including residency rights, financial obligations, and dispute resolution mechanisms.

• Negotiating Agreements: We can negotiate with retirement village operators to amend or clarify the terms of the agreement to better protect their clients' interests. This may involve negotiating changes to fees, services, or contractual terms to achieve a more favourable outcome for the resident. We offer the same for other agreements, like Retirement Village Leases and Retirement Village Licence Agreements.

• Advising on Retirement Village Sales or Purchases: If you seek to sell or buy a retirement village property, we will walk you through the steps, acting proactively to avoid pitfalls and delays.

• Advising on Legal Rights and Obligations: We can provide advice to clients on their legal rights and obligations as residents  of retirement villages. This may include advice on contractual disputes, compliance with regulatory requirements, and options for resolving legal issues.

• Assisting with Dispute Resolution: We can represent clients in disputes with retirement village operators or other residents. We can assist with negotiations, mediation, or formal legal proceedings to resolve disputes in a timely and cost-effective manner.

• Estate Planning and Asset Protection: We can assist clients with estate planning and asset protection strategies to ensure that their interests are protected in the event of incapacity or death. This may include drafting wills, powers of attorney, and other estate planning documents tailored to the client's specific circumstances.

• Financial and Property Advice: We can provide advice on financial and property matters related to retirement village residency or development, such as the implications of selling or transferring ownership of property, accessing government benefits, or managing retirement savings.

• Regulatory Compliance: We can advise retirement village developers and operators on compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, and industry standards. This may include providing guidance on licensing requirements, consumer protection laws, and other legal obligations.

Our legal services provided to clients involved in retirement villages aim to protect their legal rights and interests, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, and facilitate the resolution of disputes in a fair and efficient manner.

Ready to embark on your retirement village journey with confidence? Call on (03) 5292 3637 today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced lawyers. Let us guide you through every step of your retirement village transaction. Your peace of mind is our priority.