Law review warranted, minister says

Associate Minister of Housing Poto Williams says a full review of retirement village legislation is warranted after Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson recommended an urgent review.

However, Williams did not comment directly on whether a review is urgent, although asked.

The Retirement Villages Act 2003 is administered by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, with the Associate Minister for Housing (Public

Housing) responsible for administration of the act.

‘‘I want to take time to get advice on the recommendations. It has been some time since the Retirement Villages Act was introduced, and I agree that a review of how the legislation is working is warranted,’’ Williams said in a written response to questions from Stuff.

‘‘However this is an important piece of work, and we want to take time to get it right. It is important that the regulatory regime strikes the right balance for residents and operators, and is based on a sustainable model for the sector.’’

Wrightson said on Wednesday residents had fewer consumer rights than tenants, the law governing the retirement village industry was almost 20 years old and the industry only lightly regulated.

Contracts contained unfair terms, they should be standardised across the industry, they should be in plain English and a simple and well-organised complaints system should be set up.