News Updates
Latest news, updates and media releases from HAAG
Supreme Court decision on residential park DMFs
Deferred Management Fees (DMFs) are common in many residential parks, but recent VCAT and Supreme Court decisions could mean big changes to the ways they are charged across the state. This may have an impact on you if you’ve either paid a DMF in a residential park, or have a contract that requires you to pay one when you leave. Some parks are also offering to amend residents’ leases to ensure exit fees are lawful. …Posted in: Residential Parks, Retirement Housing, Campaigns
Improvements for residential parks and older renters
The Victorian government just passed its Consumer Legislation Amendments bill, including some important reforms for renters and, especially, residential park residents …Posted in: Renter's rights, Residential Parks, Retirement Housing, Campaigns
New Renter Rights Service for Older Victorians Welcomed
Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG) welcome the announcement by the Victorian Government of a suite of new renters’ rights service for older Victorians. The Older Persons Housing Rights Service will be assisting people aged 55 years and older to understand and exercise their rights as renters and residents of retirement villages and residential parks. HAAG will partner with Tenants Victoria to provide legal and non-legal advice and advocacy to older people who may struggle to access other renter services, or face additional barriers due to their age or housing circumstances. …Posted in: Retirement Housing Advice Service, Tenancy
Inquiry into renewable and affordable energy for apartments hears HAAG
The Victorian Inquiry into renewable and affordable energy for apartments has released it’s final report, with many recommendations aligning with HAAG’s submission, while stopping short on addressing challenges in caravan parks, retirement villages and other types of housing. …
Fixing Older People’s Housing in the Victorian Election Campaign
Victorians are going to the polls in November 2026, and there has never been a better time to keep housing for older people on the agenda. HAAG has developed an election platform that priorises older people’s housing. Read about what we are asking candidates to commit to and get involved in the election campaign here …Posted in: Campaigns, Take Action, Victoria
Rental Village fined: hundreds of older people compensated for no kitchens
Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) has fined Ingenia Gardens over $1 million for failing to provide kitchens in rental units for hundreds of financially disadvantaged older people. HAAG first reported these breaches after hearing from many older residents who were unable to cook their own food in their units. Instead, Ingenia Gardens, their landlord, offered renters meal plans, at an additional cost. This is a breach of Victoria’s minimum standards which requires all rental properties to have safe and functional kitchens. …Posted in: Rental Villages, Retirement Housing Advice Service
Tax reforms welcome but more needed for older people’s housing
HAAG congratulates the Albanese Government for taking the initiative to deliver much needed reform to negative gearing and the Capital Gains Tax Discount. It is a strong first step towards a fairer and more affordable housing market. It’s a really good start towards shifting emphasis from housing as an investment, towards housing as a home. The revenue raised from winding back these incentives should be directly invested in increasing public and community housing stock. …Posted in: Campaigns, Federal Campaigns
Victorian Budget 2026-7 Response
‘Helping with the cost of living’ is a key pillar of Tuesday’s Victorian Budget, providing a number of initiatives aimed at reducing household costs. However, for the increasing numbers of older Victorians locked out of a secure and affordable home – the most basic need – the budget announcements provide minimal relief. …Link between safe housing and elder abuse recognized in National Plan
HAAG welcomes the recognition that housing insecurity places older people at increased risk of abuse and mistreatment. To reduce this risk, it is essential that older people can access secure and genuinely affordable housing. Recognising this in the broader social context of this plan is a positive step towards addressing and preventing elder abuse. …Posted in: Elder Rights, Campaigns, Federal Campaigns
Call out for Housing Champions!
Are you passionate about improving housing for older people in Victoria?
Do you have a personal story about housing insecurity or homelessness – either your own or of someone you know – that you’re willing to share?
Are you keen to talk to your community, politicians, election candidates (and even the media) about why housing for older people is important? …Posted in: Campaigns, Take Action, Victoria
Joint statement on the redevelopment of seven public housing towers dedicated to older Victorians
A joint statement by Housing for the Aged Action Group, Council to Homeless Persons, Council on the Ageing Victoria, Elder Rights Advocacy, Tenants Victoria, Victorian Public Tenants Association and Victorian Council of Social Services regarding the redevelopment of older persons high rises. …Posted in: Joint Statements, Public Housing, Campaigns, Victoria
Statement on plans to redevelop seven Older Person’s Public Housing Towers
Melbourne, January: Government must expand older persons’ public housing and support older residents, says Housing for the Aged Action Group. The Victorian Government has announced the redevelopment of another seven public housing towers across inner Melbourne, all of which are Older Person’s High Rises and home to residents who are over 55 years old. Relocation of residents will begin in July this year. The estates affected are in Kensington, North Melbourne, Prahran, St Kilda and South Melbourne. There are 13 older persons high rises in total, with this announcement affecting over half of them. …Posted in: Public Housing, Campaigns, Victoria