We urge the government to limit the period that service charges might apply on retirement village properties, based on fees due over a period of time considered reasonable for resale (e.g. 6 months).

While service charges due are recognised as being tied to the deceased’s estate, and not the individual beneficiaries or executors, capping the service charges due over a period (e.g. 6-months, at a value equivalent to when the property was first acquired) would not only encourage the management companies to promote a sale, but also encourage prospective purchasers with the knowledge of a known maximum financial commitment due from the estate (also assisting the probate process).