Frequently Asked Questions

Learn the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

Is my village eligible for a discount on water through the SA WATER COMMUNITY CONCESSIONS SCHEME?

Members may remember in 2018 then SARVRA President Bob Ainsworth negotiated the establishment of a Parliamentary Joint House Committee to investigate the flawed valuation practices applied to retirement villages and their effect on the pricing policies of SA Water.

In November 2021, the Committee supported SARVRA’s case which gave rise to a change in the valuation method applied to the assessment of retirement villages with savings in both water and council rate bills flowing to village residents.

During research for the SARVRA submission Bob became aware eligible not-for-profit (NFP) institutions may be entitled to discounts of 25% on water consumption with the sewer charge based on the total number of toilets at the village instead of being calculated on property values.

Since retiring as President Bob has assisted several NFP village residents in assisting them to work with their village owners to participate in what is known as the SA Water Community Concessions Scheme. During this time residents at the Kalyra, RSL Care, Southern Cross and Resthaven villages have obtained Scheme acceptance. This is good news for the 799 residents at the eleven AVEO villages who will become part of the NFP Resthaven group from November.

Members residing in not-for-profit owned villages need to collaborate with their operator to evaluate whether they may be eligible to join the scheme to participate in the consequential savings flowing to residents.

If you require assistance and an information pack to make this happen please contact SARVRA at secretary@sarvra.asn.au and we will provide you with Bob’s private contact details.

I’ve accidently broken my cooktop? Who should pay?

My household insurance does not cover this as it is deemed to be a fixture and covered under building insurance. The Operator of my village tells me that because the cost comes under their $5000 excess, it’s my responsibility. What should I do?

The resident should ask the owner to put in writing that they are holding the resident responsible for the repair or replacement cost of the cooktop. The resident should then take this letter to their contents insurer and make a claim on the Personal Liability section of their contents policy (all contents insurance has this extension) - excess may apply, but the insurers can fight it out between them - less stressful for resident. If in fact the resident is actually responsible under Common Law, it may need to be proven that the resident had been negligent in the action that caused the damage. If the resident does not hold contents insurance, they should check their contract to see if there is anything specifically stated regarding making good any damage they cause to the property. If the damage was caused purely by accidental means (e.g. something falls from an overhead cupboard) the resident should advise the owner that the costs of repairs or replacement is their responsibility, and it should come from the village Capital Item replacement or long-term maintenance fund (CIRF) into which all residents contribute to for this purpose. The CIRF or sinking fund as some call it, is another form of (self) insurance, where the owner is spreading the risk of damage to their property over all the village residents in the fees they all pay to this fund usually in recurrent fees and also from exit fees deducted from exit entitlements). There are no guarantees of a positive outcome for the resident.

Roger Adamson, past President

Does our Residents Committee need to lodge a tax return? We have never done this in the past.

Residents Committees are not exempt according to the ATO. Therefore, a Residents Committee may have to complete a tax return. The Committee may have a tax obligation if some items of income and/or expenditure are assessable. More information is on The ATO website, including:

Example 7: Residents’ committee – not established for community service purposes

Duke Residents’ Committee (the Committee) was set up to represent the interests of residents of a local retirement village. The Committee regularly consults with residents and the retirement village operator on residential complaints and the day-to-day running of the retirement village. From time to time, the Committee also organises social activities for village residents.

The Committee's main purpose is to provide a communication channel between the residents and the retirement village operator and to promote the interests of the residents. The Committee has not been established for community service purposes, as it does not have an altruistic purpose to promote, provide or carry out activities, facilities or projects for the benefit or welfare of the community or any members of the community who have a particular need by reason of youth, age, infirmity or disablement, poverty or social or economic circumstances. It does not qualify for the exemption.

There is a short video and other links on the ATO website which aim to clarify obligations.

Lindsay Chuck - SARVRA Rep

Does your Residents Committee hold an ABN? If so, do we have to comply with ANNUAL SELF REVIEW REPORTING OBLIGATIONS FOR NFP’s?

If your organisation holds an ABN number you may have received information pertaining to the NFP Self Reporting Review and are required to lodge a yearly return.

From the 2023-24 income year, not-for-profit organisations with an active ABN that need to self-assess as income tax exempt need to lodge an annual return with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

The ATO has launched resources to assist, including:

Video: Changes in reporting requirements for not-for-profits - ATOtv

Watch Deputy Commissioner Will Day’s latest video for more information about how to prepare your NFP self-review return, how to lodge your return using Online services for business and the transitional support that’s available for not-for-profits.

The ATO also have a free resource that they are continuously updating where you can find more information about the reporting requirements.

Changes to income tax reporting requirements | Not-for-profit Law (nfplaw.org.au)

Margaret Hawkins, President

How are disputes resolved within retirement villages?

Your retirement village should have a list of rules and a protocol that covers disputes between a resident and management; and resident to resident.

Disputes with management: The Retirement Villages Act requires each village to have a dispute resolution procedure which must be followed in the event of any dispute between and resident and village management. SARVRA also suggests seeking advice from SARVRA as similar situations may have been resolved previously.

Disputes between residents: Procedures should include discussion about the situation between the parties with the goal of resolution with both winners.

Does the Village Manager have the right to come into my unit when I am not there?

Absolutely not. Except in the event of an emergency, or you have given written permission. Without your permission, the village manager may not allow trades people the use of a master key to enter your unit in your absence. You have a right under your contract to live in your unit in “peaceful enjoyment”.

What right does the Village Manager have to be involved with the activities of the Residents' Committee?

Membership of a Residents’ Committee is confined by the Retirement Villages Act to village residents. The Manager may be invited by the Residents’ Committee to attend committee meetings and Resident Meetings that have been called by the Residents’ Committee. Management is obliged to call an annual meeting of residents, which the manager organises and chairs.

Can SARVRA provide assistance to me in the selection of a retirement village?

SARVRA cannot directly assist you with the selection of a village. However, we recommend you attend one of the information sessions conducted by the Catalyst Foundation at which SARVRA contributes on the speaking panel. Call (08) 8168 8776 or 1800 636 368 to book your place.

You can also read Retirement Villages – Information for Residents and Prospective Residents which is a publication issued by the Office for Ageing Well. Alternatively call the Office for Ageing Well on 8204 2420 for a copy of the brochure.

Should you be a member and wishing to move to another village please contact SARVRA if you require advice regarding the transition from one village to another.

What are the most important things I need to know when evaluating a retirement village?

Refer to our page on Living in a Retirement Village for information and questions about evaluating your choices.

How can I join SARVRA?

As membership is only available to village residents you will need to wait until you have moved in to your new residence. Most villages have a local SARVRA representative who will arrange to assist you with your membership application. If there is no SARVRA representative, you can become a member applying online.

My mother has recently passed away can SARVRA provide advice to me in relation to the sale of her retirement dwelling?

If your mother was a SARVRA member we are able to provide guidance for you. Contact SARVRA through this website or call 8232 0422 or 1800 182 324.

My father will shortly need to enter an aged care facility. Can SARVRA explain how he can utilize some of the equity in his retirement dwelling to pay the aged care entry fee?

Under the new retirement villages act, a resident transitioning to an aged care facility may make application to the village operator for payment of the interest on their redeemable accommodation deposit (RAD) pending settlement of the retirement dwelling. The following link will provide access to a publication issued by the Office for Ageing Well entitled Leaving a Retirement Village which provides all of the information you may need. Alternatively call the Office for Ageing Well on 8204 2420 for a copy of the brochure.

What is the difference between a retirement village and a residential aged care facility?

Retirement villages provide independent living units for people aged 55 and over. The operator is not obliged to provide any assistance with personal care. However, some villages may provide serviced living apartments on the same campus which provide a limited range of day to day care services for residents

On the other hand, a residential aged care facility provides personal assistance on a daily basis, including cleaning, meals and medication, and entry is subject to assessment. Some aged care facilities can be found adjacent to, or on the same site as, a retirement village.

For further information the following link will provide access to a publication issued by the Office for Ageing Well entitled Retirement Villages – Information for Residents and Prospective Residents.

What is the difference between a retirement village and a lifestyle village?

Retirement villages are complexes of residences or a number of separate complexes of residences occupied or intended for occupation under a retirement village scheme. The Act defines a retirement village scheme as one that is established (predominantly), for retired persons and their spouses under a licence to occupy or a lease.

For further information the following link provides access to a publication issued by the Office for Ageing Well entitled Retirement Villages – Information for Residents and Prospective Residents. This provides all of the information you may need. Alternatively call the Office for Ageing Well on 8204 2420 for a copy of the brochure.

Lifestyle villages are not always restricted to retirees, but many are exclusively for over 55s. The accommodation is usually made up of single-level relocatable homes situated on individual blocks within large, estate-style grounds. Lifestyle village residents own their home and pay rent on the land.

Retirement villages in are set up to operate within the Retirement Villages Act, while lifestyle villages operate under the Residential Parks Act.

How can I obtain a copy of the current retirement villages act and regulations?

Follow these links to download copies of both the act and regulations:

Retirement Villages Act
Retirement Villages Regulations
Copies may be obtained from Service SA Call 13 23 24.

Are council and water rates included in my monthly maintenance fee?

Approximately 85% of village operators include council and water rates in the monthly maintenance fee. When comparing the fees between villages make sure you ask this question. Before signing a contract, the village operator must provide a future resident with a disclosure statement proving the details of any fees payable before you enter, while you reside in the village and when you leave the village

My village manager is not responding to my requests for repairs to my air conditioner which is not working, what can I do?

As a first step look at your premises condition (included in your contract) report to ascertain whether this is an operator responsibility. If this is so, submit your repair request in writing asking for a response within 10 days to include when the repairs will be undertaken. Should action not be forthcoming speak with the chairperson of your residents committee. If this fails you will need to get the Office for Ageing Well to approach the operator on your behalf. the Office for Ageing Well may be contacted on 8204 2420.

What kind of fees and charges may I have to pay as a resident of the village?

The components of you monthly fee and the amount thereof vary from village to village. The following link provides in details the fees you will most likely be required to pay whilst a resident of your village.

Retirement Village Fees and Charges
Alternatively call the Office for Ageing Well on 8204 2420 for a copy of the brochure.

How do I resolve a dispute with the village operator?

From time to time disputes or disagreements may arise between operators and residents in retirement villages. It is always desirable that disputes be resolved as quickly and amicably as possible.

Click here for access to the the Office for Ageing Well publication What if I have a dispute with a Retirement Village.
Alternatively call the Office for Ageing Well on 8204 2420 for a copy of the brochure.

Do residents have a say in the running of the village?

The operator is required to obtain the consent of residents before certain actions may be taken. Consent can only be obtained at a meeting of residents. The residents committee cannot give consent on behalf of residents.

How can our village set up a residents’ committee?

The function of a residents’ committee is to consult with the operator of the retirement village in relation to matters of interest to residents and to represent the interests of residents. SARVRA is able to assist with an inaugural meeting of residents to set up a residents’ committee. SARVRA will provide templates for the agenda and the minutes of the meeting.

the Office for Ageing Well have produced a publication entitled Guidelines for Retirement Villages Residents’ Committees.

From time to time some residents’ committees for a variety of reasons become unworkable and in many instances fold. SARVRA has had considerable success with the reformation of village committees, we are only pleased to assist with a restorative process if called upon to do so.

What do the residence rules cover?

You must be provided with a copy of a village’s residence rules before you enter into a residence contract. An operator must also give you a copy of the residence rules on request.

See the following link Moving in to a Retirement Village – Disclosure Statement and Residence Contract, or call the Office for Ageing Well on 8204 2420 for a copy of the brochure.

What if I want to leave the village and how do I end my village contract?

Extensive information in relation to leaving the village, including an option to stay whilst your residence is being marketed and your obligations during this period are contained in the the Office for Ageing Well brochure Leaving a retirement village.

If your concerns are not covered here please contact SARVRA. We are here to assist you.