Consumer Action Law Centre in conjunction with Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG) Residents of Retirement Villages Victoria (RRVV) and Council on the Ageing (COTA) recently held a forum on the handling and resolution of complaints about a retirement housing issue.

Around 60 retirement village residents attended and shared their experiences and concerns around such issues as dispute resolution, fees and management practices.

Consumer Affairs Victoria explained the referral process to the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria for disputes between residents, managers and operators.

Consumer Action, HAAG, RRVV and COTA Victoria strongly support reform in the retirement housing sector, including the establishment of a specialist retirement housing ombudsman who would provide free, fair and effective dispute resolution services to resolve disputes between retirement housing operators and residents.

The main message? Be concise about your experience and tell them what you want to be done.