Three years after the inquiries started the Palaszczuk government has announced it will now have new regulations in place by Christmas.
“We intend to put in place a new, staged pre-contractual disclosure process, limits on rent increases, and minimum behavioural standards for park owners, staff and home owners,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told the ABC.
They reported that among the changes would be: simplified, standard contracts; fees and charges declared upfront; a minimum three-week contract evaluation before signing; fairer exit fees and preparations for unit resales; and enforceable behaviour standards for village operators.
The sudden acceleration is welcomed by QLD residents in villages. “We can only say THANK YOU, ADELE FERGUSON!!!” was the message to us from Joanne Wheeler, the Past President of the Association of Residents of Queensland Retirement Villages (ARQRV), who has always been a balanced member of the sector.
Speedy implementation of existing recommendations can only be a good thing. But also clearly there is work to be done with customers – current and future.
