A rental village is a cluster of dwellings where rent is charged per unit- often at 75- 85% of the aged pension plus Commonwealth Rent Assistance. Residents are provided with a semi self-contained one-bedroom unit with limited facilities such as a bar fridge and a microwave oven.

Rental Villages are run by for-profit and not-for-profit companies and differ in terms of what kind of support and services they offer.

Some of the services offered include:

• 3 meals/day, and;
• A linen service.

Some rental villages have begun to offer varying levels of care as well which can be purchased as required. This can alter the legal arrangement under which the village operates so it is important to understand what type of village you may be living in or considering.

Rental Villages are covered by the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 but some now offering further services and care may be covered by the Retirement Villages Act 1986.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Before entering a rental village you can use HAAG's Rental Village checklist

For more information on your rights in Rental Villages call HAAG's Retirement Housing Advice Service on 9654 7389.