Hi Njobling,
I agree with what Sophea wrote above. Your first step of action should be to check the terms of agreement with your retirement village and to ask the village exactly what services the Community Fee covers. Also, check the terms of agreement to see what it says about altering fees at the village and variation of terms.
Failing that, all retirement villages in Queensland must abide by the
Retirement Villages Act 1999 (Qld) ("RVA"). Under the RVA, there is a dispute resolution procedure: Part 9 (dispute resolution) and Part 10 (applications to Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal) of the RVA. This means that there is an statutory dispute resolution procedure that Retirement Villages must participate in. Failing this, you can apply to the
Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal to make a determination.
There are a number of contacts you can try to get more information about the fees and charges, contract terms/variation of terms, refunds, disputes etc:
Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal
An independent alternative dispute resolution body for retirement village disputes.
Address: Level 9, 259 Queen Street, Brisbane Qld 4000
Postal address: GPO Box 1639, Brisbane Qld 4001
Phone: 1300 753 228 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm)
Fax: 3221 9156
Website:
www.qcat.qld.gov.au
Email:
[email protected]
Leading Age Services Australia Queensland
Queensland Association promoting good corporate governance and retirement village residents well being.
Postal address: PO Box 995, Indooroopilly Qld 4074
Phone: 3725 5555
Fax: 3715 8166
Email:
[email protected]
Retirement Village Association
National association representing, supporting and promoting the retirement village industry.
Address: GPO Box 113, Brisbane Qld 4001
Phone: 3225 3000
Fax: 3229 9160
Email:
[email protected]
Association of Residents of Queensland Retirement Villages (ARQRV)
An association for the protection of the interests of all residents in Queensland retirement villages.
Postal address: PO Box 1361, Buddina Qld 4575
Phone: 5493 7112
Email:
[email protected]
Best of luck and let us know how the matter unfolds.