Monday 18 May: Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG) welcomes the news that 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. This resulted from a complaint from HAAG, which provides specialist tenancy and retirement advice to older Victorians.

Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG) first reported these breaches to CAV after hearing from many older residents who were unable to cook their own food in their units. This is a breach of Victoria’s minimum standards which requires all rental properties to have a safe and functional kitchen. Ingenia Gardens forced renters to pay for meals which many complained were poor quality, inadequate or not adjusted to meet dietary requirements. Rents included a single daily meal and breakfast package were as high as 80% of resident’s pensions.

CAV’s Rental Taskforce investigated the claims, and today Ingenia Gardens has agreed to pay $1million, to compensate affected renters approximately $400,000 and pay $100,000 to Housing for the Aged Action Group. The compensation includes a recognition of resident’s frustration and denial of their rights.

“Older Victorians face such an acute housing crisis today that some operators get away with breaches of basic rental laws. Through our work in supporting multiple residents across these villages, we were able to recognise and report this systemic issue. We’re thrilled to see this outcome of many years of work for our Tenancy and Retirement team, and for the older renters we support,” said Executive Officer, Fiona York.

“We are really proud of our role in standing up for older renters. We’ve been hearing about these problems for over a decade, and it’s extremely gratifying to see the government take action for all the renters affected,” said Senior Retirement and Tenancy Worker, Shane McGrath.

Many of HAAG’s clients at Ingenia Gardens came to us for support due to the low quality of the meals they were provided, and the lack of choice or any other options.

“They break the rules all the time, it makes you feel disposable,” said a resident in his 70’s who wishes to remain anonymous. He says the fines imposed on Ingenia Gardens make him feel “absolutely bloody fantastic”.  

HAAG would like to thank Consumer Affairs Victoria’s Rental Taskforce for investigating this issue, and for the strong action taken against the operator.

For more information:

Consumer Affairs Victoria’s statement here

Ingenia Garden’s ASX announcement here

For comment, contact Fiona York 0449 554 142