The Retirement Villages Act 1986 includes specific rules and modification processes for non-owner residents who sign contracts after 1 May 2026.
Non-owner residents who signed their retirement village contracts before 1 May 2026 should review their contracts for the rules and processes that apply to modifications of their premises.
Modifications rules and processes for non-owner residents who sign contracts after 1 May 2026
Modifications that do not require consent
The following modifications may be made without the operator's consent:
- the installation of fly screens, window treatments and tints, and window dressings such as blinds and curtains
- the installation of picture hooks or screws for wall mounts, shelves or brackets
- the installation of security systems that do not unreasonably interfere with the privacy of other residents.
Requesting consent for other modifications
For any other addition, removal or alteration, a non-owner resident must request the operator's consent in writing before making the change.
The operator must give the resident a written decision within 14 days of receiving the request. The operator must not unreasonably refuse consent. The operator may grant consent subject to reasonable conditions.
If the operator refuses or does not respond, a resident may raise this as a dispute. For more information, go to Resolving disputes and Village dispute procedure.
What happens to modifications when a resident leaves
On delivering up vacant possession, a non-owner resident must, as far as practicable:
- leave the premises reasonably clean
- leave the premises in the same condition as at the start of occupation, taking into account fair wear and tear
- ensure any fixture or fitting that was added or altered is in the same condition as it was immediately after it was added or altered, taking into account fair wear and tear.
A fixture or fitting that was removed with consent, or which did not require consent, does not need to be reinstated when the resident vacates.
These departure obligations do not apply where the resident and operator have entered into a renovation cost-sharing agreement.
Go to Reinstatement of premises for detail on what happens after a resident vacates.