The Coalition says the ombudsman would provide free, independent and binding dispute resolution services to resolve disputes between retirement housing residents and operators if they are elected in November.
Consumer Action Law Centre CEO Gerard Brody says it’s a ‘huge win’ for residents and called on the village sector to back the scheme.
“Residents living in retirement housing have been calling for an ombudsman for years – this is a huge win for fairness. Even the retirement village industry has supported an Ombudsman in its ‘Eight Point Plan’ for the sector,” he said.
CALC has been working closely with Residents of Retirement Villages Victoria (RRVV), Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG) and COTA Victoria since the Fairfax/Four Corners report aired 12 months ago, even coordinating training for residents in taking complaints to the media.
