retirement.org.nz

The new laws set out specific minimum requirements that all retirement villages must comply with, in addition to the general law and other legal requirements that apply specifically to retirement villages.
 
The new legislation
As well as the Retirement Villages Act, the new laws include:

• the Retirement Villages (General) Regulations 2006 (in force from 1 May 2007)
• the Retirement Villages (Disputes Panel) Regulations 2006 (in force from 1 October 2006)
• the Retirement Villages (Fees) Regulations 2006 (in force from 1 May 2007), and
• the Retirement Villages Code of Practice 2008 ( in force from 2 October 2009).

All provisions of the Act, apart from the Code of Practice 2008( in force from 2 October 2009)
 
A general guide only
This guide gives only a general overview of the new laws. For more detailed information, you should read the Act, the regulations and the Code of Practice themselves.
 
For legal advice for your specific situation, please contact a lawyer. The Act requires that intending residents take independent legal advice before entering a retirement village.
 
This guide includes links to websites that are not under the control of the Retirement Commission. These links are included as a convenience only; the fact that they have been included does not imply that the Retirement Commission endorses these websites.
 
How to get copies of this quide
You can get printed copies of this guide by:

• emailing office@cflri.org.nz, or
• phoning 0800 438 767 or 04-499 7396, or
• writing to Retirement Villages, Commission for Financial Literacy and Retirement Income, PO Box 12-148, Wellington, 6144.

How to get more information
You can read the Retirement Villages Act 2003 and the accompanying regulations at www.retirement.org.nz. You can also read them, along with other relevant legislation, at www.legislation.govt.nz.
 
Printed copies of the Act and the regulations are available at your local public library. You can buy copies of the Act for $9.00 from Bennetts, Vicbooks or Legislation Direct
You can read the Code of Practice 2008 at www.retirement.org.nz or download a copy from www.dbh.govt.nz. Residents and intending residents can also obtain a copy of the Code from the village operator or manager.
 
At the end of this guide you'll find contact details for further sources of information and advice, or for making complaints.
 
We'd like your feedback
We will continue to develop specific information for residents, intending residents, and operators. We are interested to know how useful you find this guide and what other issues you'd like covered. We'd also like to hear about your experiences with retirement villages.