Are you being overcharged? Seniors report feeling 'trapped' amidst skyrocketing retirement village fees
- Replies 23
As we get older, many of us will find ourselves looking long and hard at the various options available for our retirement years. It’s a decision that will set the tone for our later years – will you move into a care facility or stay living in the family house? Or, like many Australians, choose to join a seniors-geared retirement village?
But one Central Coast community of retirees are saying they’ve made a mistake with their decision.
Residents at the Nautical Village in Kincumber claim that since they moved into the village, their site fees – which are set to cover maintenance of the site, have increased significantly. So much, in fact, that many of the retired members of the community are struggling to make ends meet on their pension.
Residents claim that their site fees have gone ‘through the roof’ since moving in, forcing them to go without luxuries and necessities.
Resident Joy said she is unable to go out for enjoyment due to her financial situation.
Meanwhile, 73-year-old Gaye says she may even have to give up her beloved pet dog Bella due to the increasing cost.
And 95-year-old Mary said: ‘I have just enough to buy food after my site fees have been taken out and nothing else. No luxuries.’
The worst part is, many of the village’s residents feel they are unable to do anything about it. As Jim said, 'We own our homes... but we lease the land on which they sit and the fees just keep going up and up.'
'Many of us are on the old age pension and site fees for the leasehold on the land and maintenance around the village have now reached a level that it's taking half our pension, leaving us with little to live on.'
'It was the only way people like us on the pension could afford to have a house, but many of us believe we have made a big mistake,' Jim continued.
The village owner Theo Whitmont claimed that to keep the park ‘viable’, the fees need to be increased. However, residents of the village aren’t buying it: 'The site fees are supposed to keep the place maintained, but we see little for our money,' noted Frank. 'Roads are in poor condition and the place needs an upgrade.'
'I feel trapped,' Frank continued.
'I honestly can’t see a way out of this, it’s not how I wanted to spend my final years.'
If you or your loved ones are facing skyrocketing retirement village fees, then it’s important to know your rights – and to know where to access help.
Firstly, know that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is available to ‘educate consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities under the Australian Consumer Law around retirement villages.’
You might also need to turn to a lawyer for advice.
For Victorians, the following help is available.
Consumer Affairs Victoria can offer information regarding general consumer rights and retirement villages. You can reach them on 1300 558 181.
Elder Rights Advocacy provides individual advocacy support for problems with aged care service providers. You can reach them on 1800 700 600.
Not in Victoria? There’s still help available through the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN).
OPAN is a national network of nine state and territory organisations. These organisations have been successfully delivering advocacy, information and education services to older people across Australia for over 25 years.
The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) includes:
If you or somebody you know is struggling in a retirement village, then please remember that you are not alone and help is available.
Seniors in other retirement villages may also be experiencing similar issues. If you feel like you are being overcharged for your retirement living, we encourage you to speak up and consult with your local government authority or seek legal advice.
Let us know in the comments below if you or someone you know has had a retirement village experience like Bob, Jim, Frank or Joy – and how you were able to resolve it. And please take a moment to also share this article with your friends and family, so they can be aware of the issue and persistent red flags when it comes to retirement village fees.
But one Central Coast community of retirees are saying they’ve made a mistake with their decision.
Residents at the Nautical Village in Kincumber claim that since they moved into the village, their site fees – which are set to cover maintenance of the site, have increased significantly. So much, in fact, that many of the retired members of the community are struggling to make ends meet on their pension.
Residents claim that their site fees have gone ‘through the roof’ since moving in, forcing them to go without luxuries and necessities.
Resident Joy said she is unable to go out for enjoyment due to her financial situation.
Meanwhile, 73-year-old Gaye says she may even have to give up her beloved pet dog Bella due to the increasing cost.
And 95-year-old Mary said: ‘I have just enough to buy food after my site fees have been taken out and nothing else. No luxuries.’
The worst part is, many of the village’s residents feel they are unable to do anything about it. As Jim said, 'We own our homes... but we lease the land on which they sit and the fees just keep going up and up.'
'Many of us are on the old age pension and site fees for the leasehold on the land and maintenance around the village have now reached a level that it's taking half our pension, leaving us with little to live on.'
'It was the only way people like us on the pension could afford to have a house, but many of us believe we have made a big mistake,' Jim continued.
The village owner Theo Whitmont claimed that to keep the park ‘viable’, the fees need to be increased. However, residents of the village aren’t buying it: 'The site fees are supposed to keep the place maintained, but we see little for our money,' noted Frank. 'Roads are in poor condition and the place needs an upgrade.'
'I feel trapped,' Frank continued.
'I honestly can’t see a way out of this, it’s not how I wanted to spend my final years.'
If you or your loved ones are facing skyrocketing retirement village fees, then it’s important to know your rights – and to know where to access help.
Firstly, know that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is available to ‘educate consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities under the Australian Consumer Law around retirement villages.’
You might also need to turn to a lawyer for advice.
For Victorians, the following help is available.
Consumer Affairs Victoria can offer information regarding general consumer rights and retirement villages. You can reach them on 1300 558 181.
Elder Rights Advocacy provides individual advocacy support for problems with aged care service providers. You can reach them on 1800 700 600.
Not in Victoria? There’s still help available through the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN).
OPAN is a national network of nine state and territory organisations. These organisations have been successfully delivering advocacy, information and education services to older people across Australia for over 25 years.
The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) includes:
- ACT Disability, Aged and Carer Advocacy Service (ADACAS) – Australian Capital Territory
- Advocacy Tasmania Inc. – Tasmania
- Advocare – Western Australia
- Aged and Disability Advocacy Australia – Queensland
- Aged Care Advocacy Service, CatholicCare – Central Australia NT
- Aged Rights Advocacy Service (ARAS) – South Australia
- Elder Rights Advocacy (ERA) – Victoria
- Seniors and Disability Rights Service of Darwin Community Legal Service – Northern Territory
- Seniors Rights Service – New South Wales
Key Takeaways
- Seniors living at the Nautical Village at Kincumber feel trapped as their site fees continue to rise, consuming a large portion of their pensions.
- The residents claim that despite paying increasing site fees, the maintenance and upkeep of the village has not improved.
- The village owner, Theo Whitmont, states that rising costs are forcing him to increase site fees to keep the park viable and prevent closure.
- Many seniors are now considering their options, struggling to afford the lifestyle they envisioned for their retirement years.
- The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) is available to help.
Seniors in other retirement villages may also be experiencing similar issues. If you feel like you are being overcharged for your retirement living, we encourage you to speak up and consult with your local government authority or seek legal advice.
Let us know in the comments below if you or someone you know has had a retirement village experience like Bob, Jim, Frank or Joy – and how you were able to resolve it. And please take a moment to also share this article with your friends and family, so they can be aware of the issue and persistent red flags when it comes to retirement village fees.