Recent media coverage of Retirement Villages

Dear Residents of Retirement Villages Victoria Community,

It was disappointing to see Retirement Villages portrayed on the ABC TV’s 7.30 Report on 30 September 2024 and 3 October 2024 as "a trap" and "sheer hell". Both programs spoke of gouging and bullying and of an industry that preys on ageing retirees.

I've had a lot of feedback from Resident of Retirement Villages Victoria (RRVV) members and other fellow retirement villagers. The incidents and situations portrayed are far from the experience of village living of most retirement village residents. There is concern as to the impact such negative publicity will have on the value and marketability of retirement village properties and of retirement villages as a lifestyle choice.

Many of the comments I have received expressed concern at the ageism implicit in both of the Retirement Village programs on the 7.30 Report. In many villages the age of residents ranges from 55 to 95 and, in some cases, over 100 years of age. Residents are, in the main, active, alert and engaged - it's one of the advantages of village life. The 7.30 Report drew a picture of people well past their prime and not capable of making their own decisions. Nothing could be further from the truth.

It is also of concern that the 7.30 Report journalists appear to have not understood that state legislation requires residents to seek legal advice and operators to provide Information Sheets before a contract is signed. It appears that they also did not understand that most contracts provide for a no-penalty settling-in period.

All of this is not to say that the issues raised on the 7.30 Report are not valid - the program highlighted some serious issues that need to be addressed by government. The RRVV has advocated on a number of these on behalf of its members in submissions to the Victorian Government as part of the review and update of the Retirement Villages Act 1986. Such issues include the scale and basis for calculation of deferred management fees, the allocation of renovation/refurbishment costs, the justification for increases to service fees and for financial transparency generally.

The RRVV has chosen to frame its lobbying/advocacy in constructive terms. Our key platforms are financial certainty, contract simplicity, dispute resolution, home for life, resident autonomy and decision making and the right to competent management. We are a solutions based Association and we are comfortable working with government, industry bodies and not-for-profit organizations to improve the retirement village experience for all residents.   

We remain committed to encouraging all RRVV members to raise issues of concern with RRVV and with their Local State Member of Parliament

Helen Betros
Acting President
Residents of Retirement Villages Victoria