[Mary Klower]

Hello we have had an application for pension rebate for a chap who resides in retirement village and wants to claim a rebate. Our usual response is NO as they are not the owner of the property.
However he has produced a document from Service NSW which states “that if they are a owner and occupier of a unit in a retirement village with a life term lease” you are also eligible to receive a pension rebate.
We do give pension rebates to Life Tennants which are shown on a will but have not encountered one of these.
Has anyone else received an appliction using this criteria, appreciate any comments.
Thanks
Mary

[Ian Clayton]

Hi Mary,

We haven’t had an application like that but I don’t think the resident would be entitled to a pension rebate the way these developments are set up in our area.

For the retirement villages here, we read a big meter at the front of the development and issue the account to the owner of the land. We’re not billing direct to any of the residents.

As the residents are not the owners & not receiving a water account from Council, I can’t see how they would be liable for the charges as is required by Sec 575. Not sure if the circumstances are the same in your area.

Cheers
Ian

[Mary Klower]

Thanks Clayton

Totally agree with you and we would normally have said a quick No to this ratepayer but after discussions with Andrew feel that Service NSW should not be putting this on their website advising ratepayers that they are entitled to a pension rebate on water if they have a life tennancy agreement and are a eligible pensioner, hopefully we will have some feedback from Service NSW soon.
Thanks
Mary

[Author]

Posts