38Increases in maintenance charges

38 Increases in maintenance charges

(1) In this section—

S. 38(1) def. of adjusted maintenance charge amended by No. 23/2016 s. 30(1).

adjusted maintenance charge means the adjusted maintenance charge determined and indexed in accordance with section 38AA;

S. 38(1) def. of maintenance charge repealed by No. 4/2005 s. 15.

special levy means a payment which is made by a resident to the owner or manager and which is not—

(a) a maintenance charge; or

(b) a payment made in consideration of residence in the village.

(2) Despite anything to the contrary in a residence contract, a management contract or the by-laws a resident is not required to pay a maintenance charge to the extent to which it is greater than the adjusted maintenance charge.

(3) A manager is not liable in any civil action for breach of contract in respect of the manager's failure to provide goods and services to residents if—

(a) to cover the cost of the provision of the goods and services it would be necessary to levy a maintenance charge greater than the adjusted maintenance charge; and

(b) in all the circumstances the manager acted reasonably; and

(c) the residents have not approved the payment of a maintenance charge greater than the adjusted maintenance charge.

(4) Subsection (2) does not apply if the payment of a maintenance charge that is greater than the adjusted maintenance charge has been approved by resolution of a majority of the residents at a meeting of the residents or is approved by resolution of the residents committee.

(5) Subsection (2) does not apply to the payment of a maintenance charge which is greater than the adjusted maintenance charge to the extent to which the greater amount represents—

(a) rates, taxes or charges in respect of retirement village land or the use of a retirement village land levied under an Act or subordinate instrument; or

(b) salaries or wages paid in accordance with an award made by a Commission, Tribunal, Board or other body under—

(i) an Act other than this Act; or

(ii) a Commonwealth Act—

if the salaries or wages are paid to a manager or a person employed in connexion with the retirement village.

(6) Despite anything to the contrary in a residence contract, a management contract or the by-laws, a resident is not required to pay a special levy unless—

(a) the residents have not been required to pay a special levy for the past 12 months; and