OVER 250 public submissions and comments were received on the NSW
Government's soon-to-be introduced reforms to the residential parks industry.
Fair Trading Minister Matthew Mason-Cox said that since passing the
Residential (Land Lease) Communities Act 2013, the government had
continued consulting residents and industry stakeholders to ensure the
industry had a solid blueprint for the future.
"More than 50 written submissions were received on the new draft
Residential (Land Lease) Communities Regulation 2014, in addition to the
200 comments received by residents and park operators who attended
community forums across the state," he said.
"Community feedback has focused on recommendations relating to education
for operators, insurance requirements and service availability charges,
and will be carefully considered before the new laws start later this
year."
Feedback was also received about voluntary sharing arrangements.
"Under the new Act, an operator must clearly offer two options in the
disclosure statement – a rent-only option or voluntary share
arrangements," Mr Mason-Cox said.
"Details of any arrangement must be specified in the disclosure statement
supplied at least 14 days before a site agreement can be signed.
"The NSW Government is committed to ensuring that consumers are properly
protected
"As such, NSW Fair Trading will consider amendments to the standard
agreement to ensure there is clarity and certainty for residents in
respect to this issue."
Mr Mason-Cox said under the reforms passed in November 2013, site fee
increases would be limited to once every 12 months, unless an alternate
frequency has been previously agreed upon.
"The new laws also strengthen residents' ability to negotiate site
agreements, including payment increases, and there will be greater
transparency of contract information," he added.
The new laws will affect more 33,000 residents living in 480 residential
parks across the state.
