Fairer electricity pricing for residential land lease community home owners is on the way if proposed legislation introduced by NSW Labor is passed by the NSW Parliament.

A NSW Labor Government will make amendments to the Residential (Land Lease) Communities Act 2013 to ensure land lease community operators are charging home owners a fair cost for electricity.

Currently, many operators are skimming off the top by charging electricity rates much higher than their maximum rate paid to the utility provider.

A recent NSW Supreme Court decision has clarified Section 77(3) of the Residential (Land Lease) Communities Act 2013.

The NSW Labor amendment will clarify beyond doubt the intent of Section 77(3) of the Act.

Under the proposed changes, operators will no longer be able to charge a home owner an amount for use of electricity that is higher than the peak rate energy charge billed to the operator by the utility service provider who is providing the service.

There will also be no need for any resident living in a residential land lease community to approach the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) for an adjudication of disputes on the amount charged for electricity.

NSW Labor introduced its Bill into the Legislative Assembly this morning.

Comments attributable to Paul Scully MP:

“NSW Labor will amend the current law to stop residential land lease homeowners being fleeced by some operators who charge higher prices for electricity than for which it is provided by the electricity supplier.

“Our amendments clarify the existing law and, if passed, make sure that homeowners get a fair deal on electricity pricing.

“Many people who live in residential communities are living on fixed and low incomes and deserve a fair go.”