Guide to RV Act
This Guide provides an overview of the Retirement Villages Act 2003 (the Act) - its protections for residents and intending residents of retirement villages and the corresponding obligations of retirement village operators to achieve this.
The Act came fully into force on 1 May 2007. It covers the period before an intending resident enters a retirement village, during their occupation, and after they leave. All retirement villages must register with the Registrar of Retirement Villages. When they have to do apply for registration varies between 1 May and 1 November 2007, depending on their status. They must also appoint a statutory supervisor.
The Act requires operators to disclose certain key information to each intending resident and for them to get advice from an independent lawyer before they sign an occupation right agreement. It provides protection for residents, including a statutory supervisor for each village, a facility for handling complaints and a dispute resolution procedure, a Code of Residents' Rights and a Code of Practice.
The Guide provides a general overview of the Act. It has information on:
About this guide
Introducing the Retirement Villages Act 2003
Roles in the Act
Obligations of retirement village operators
Registration of all retirement villages
The statutory supervisor: an independent watchdog
Protections for intending residents
Entering into an occupation right agreement
Protections for residents
The Code of Residents' Rights
The Code of Practice
Complaints and disputes
Leaving a retirement village
Key terms
Contacts
For specific information, consult the Act, regulations and Code of Practice. For specific legal advice, contact a lawyer. The Act requires intending residents to take independent legal advice before entering a retirement village.
You can print a copy of the guide or order printed copies (provided free of charge) by:
- emailling office@retirement.org.nz
- calling 0800-438 767 or 04-499 7396
- writing to Retirement Villages, Retirement Commission, PO Box 12-148, Wellington
Page last updated on May 2007