Lavan ranked as a first-tier law firm in the Doyle's Guide listing of Leading Health & Aged Care Law Firms - Western Australia, 2026. Learn more
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Our services for the Seniors Living & Retirement Village sector

We offer a broad range of legal services tailored to the specific requirements of the retirement village and seniors living sector across Australia.

Legal support for acquisitions, divestments, restructures and portfolio rationalisation involving retirement villages, including due diligence and transaction implementation.

Support for operators responding to resident complaints, disputes and regulatory inquiries, including advice on statutory processes, risk management and regulator engagement.

Drafting, reviewing and advising on residence contracts, disclosure documentation, community arrangements, capital maintenance and replacement requirements and related documentation to ensure compliance with legislative requirements and alignment with operational realities.

Representation in disputes arising from regulatory action, resident complaints, contractual issues and claims, including mediation, State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) proceedings and litigation where required.

Advice to boards and executives on governance frameworks, budgeting and financial management obligations, capital maintenance and replacement and reserve funds.

Advice on acquisition, development, redevelopment and disposal of retirement village assets, including interface with planning approvals, construction issues and operational villages.

Advice on village modifications such as redevelopment, staged development, variation of services or amenities, consultation obligations, disclosure and risk management associated with change.

Advice on resident exit processes, buybacks, reinstatement and renovation obligations, timeframes for payment of exit entitlements and management of transition issues, including moves to aged care.

Advice on compliance with the Retirement Villages Act 1992 (WA) (as amended), associated regulations and guidance, including governance obligations, disclosure requirements and engagement with The Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS).

Advice on employment, industrial relations and workplace health and safety issues affecting retirement village operations, including workforce compliance and risk management.

Our Retirement & Seniors Living experience

Client
Large WA retirement village operator
Industry
Seniors Living – Retirement Villages

Lavan advised the operator on preparing for the next phase of DEMIRS reforms, including modernising its village contracts, updating disclosure materials, reviewing financial models and improving transparency practices. We undertook a full compliance audit of existing documentation, identified legacy issues tied to residence contracts, and developed a staged transition plan to align the operator with emerging regulatory expectations. Our team also supported the operator in engaging with residents, resolving concerns linked to fee structures and service levels, and implementing governance improvements. This work positioned the operator to confidently navigate upcoming reforms while maintaining strong resident relationships.

Client
Large NFP retirement village operator
Industry
Seniors Living – Retirement Villages

Lavan advised a retirement village operator on the implications of the Retirement Villages Amendment Act 2024 (WA) and the forthcoming regulations, with a particular focus on legacy issues arising out of reform relating to capital maintenance, capital replacement and reserve fund management. Our work included reviewing the operator’s existing operating and capital works budgets and practices, identifying gaps between existing financial practices and the new statutory regime, and making recommendations as to a transition strategy to achieve compliance under the new legislation.

 

Client
WA lifestyle community developer
Industry
Seniors Living

Lavan supported a developer establishing a new WA land lease/lifestyle community, providing end‑to‑end advice on structuring, compliance and operational frameworks. Support included guidance on planning issues, future divestment of communal amenities, shared‑use arrangements for facilities, and long‑term operational and financial considerations such as GST treatment, sinking fund flows and management entity structuring.

 

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Joe Abberton deserves high praise for his hard work, expertise and dedication. I’ve worked with many legal teams before, but Joe’s attention to detail and ability to handle legal issues is second to none. His professionalism and strategic thinking are invaluable assets that make Lavan an indispensable team.

The team at Lavan have the ability to provide practical solutions to complex regulatory problems.

After discussing an issue with Andreas about FWC, Bruno and Genevieve have put me at ease with their approach and strategy to close out the FWC resolution. I have found Bruno and Genevieve to be very professional, organised, structured, and took on board everything I have said. They approached this case with candor. They have understood the pressure on me and the impact on my industry standing and company position across industries, as well as the implication of this case being classed as a case study should it have progressed beyond the reconciliation meeting.

Lavan maintains a strong reputation in Western Australia, acting on large residential, retail and commercial land development projects for public bodies, investment groups and developers. The team possesses considerable expertise in syndicated acquisitions and disposals, as well as strata title developments, and has practices in the agriculture and hospitality sectors. The property team also provides expertise in leasing matters for a range of commercial clients.

Ben Fong of Lavan is reputed in the Western Australia market as an expert in property financing for lenders on commercial and residential development projects.

Framy and her team have been amazing. I feel they are doing everything possible to help me with my divorce and court case. I have the upmost confidence in them. Very thorough. Thank you.

We use the Lavan team for our legal services because of their responsive, comprehensive and common sense commercial advice…  The Lavan team is one of the first professional advisors we call if we are addressing strategic, tactical or day to day issues.  They are a key part of our team and we couldn’t recommend them more highly to others in the same capacity.

I regularly recommend Amber and the team to people across the sector.

Millie and Mihali have been easy to work with and considerate regarding personal issues and extremely professional and knowledgeable regarding the law.

The team at Lavan is pragmatic, outcome-focused and knowledgeable.

Lavan’s experienced team offers expertise in various insolvency-related matters in Western Australia. The firm acts for appointees, company directors, creditors and other market participants on restructurings. Its team is able to assist clients with insolvency disputes as well as non-contentious issues and particularly experienced in the handling of matters linked to the resources sector.

JLL has dealt with the team at Lavan for many years now across all major asset classes and across acquisition, disposal, leasing and general leasing advisory work. The attention to detail and collegiality exhibited by the team is second to none. I highly recommend Lavan based on my direct dealings, in conjunction with the incredibly positive feedback I often receive from colleagues on the same.

Lavan is a Perth-based firm with noted capabilities for advising landowners, developers and government on a range of environment and planning issues. The environment and planning team has particularly extensive experience advising on the implications, management, acquisition and disposal of contaminated land.

Bruno’s level of sophistication and client service were outstanding.

Amber and her team went above and beyond to make things happen. I was educated and empowered through my interaction with this team. Feedback was honest and constructive.

As always Amber Crosthwaite is a pleasure to work with! Thanks Amber and team.

Bruno Di Girolami can take into account business needs and assist in devising a solution that mitigates risk while ensuring we can still achieve our business objectives.

Here when you need us

Lavan is based in Perth, Western Australia, with an inherent market knowledge and trusted relationships within our community.

We value collaborative relationships and are approachable and available when you need us.

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