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RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES ACT 1997

Table of Provisions

PART 1--PRELIMINARY

Division 1--Introductory provisions

Division 2--Application of Act to residential rental agreements, rooming houses and site agreements

  • 5 Application of Act to assignees and transferees  
  • 7 Premises used primarily as a residence  
  • 8 Premises connected to premises used for trade or business  
  • 9 Principal place of residence  
  • 10 Premises used for holidays  
  • 11 Farming and grazing  
  • 12 Contracts of employment  
  • 13 Contracts of sale or mortgages  
  • 14 Prescribed premises and prescribed agreements  
  • 15 Certain provisions not to apply to residential rental agreements  
  • 17 Room used by operator or operator's family or employees  
  • 18 Self-contained apartments  
  • 19 Minister may declare building to be a rooming house  
  • 20 Hotels and motels  
  • 21 Educational institutions  
  • 22 Temporary crisis accommodation  
  • 23 Health or residential services  
  • 23A Application of Act to assignees and transferees  
  • 23B Site agreements exceeding 5 years  
  • 23C Part 4A site used under contract of employment  
  • 23D Part 4A site used primarily as a residence  
  • 23E Part 4A site used for holidays  
  • 23F Prescribed Part 4A sites and prescribed site agreements  
  • 23G Certain provisions not to apply to site agreements  

Division 3--Exemptions by Tribunal

PART 2--RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES--RESIDENTIAL RENTAL AGREEMENTS

Division 1--General requirements for residential rental agreements

Division 1A--Discrimination in relation to residential rental agreements

Division 1B--Disclosures and representations prior to entering into residential rental agreements

Division 1C--Rental auctions prohibited

Division 2--Bonds

Division 3--Rents

Division 4--Other charges

Division 5--General duties of renters and residential rental providers

Division 5A--General duties of residential rental providers

Division 5B--Pets

Division 6--Repairs and maintenance

Division 7--Assignment and sub-letting

Division 8--Rights of entry

Division 9--Termination of residential rental agreements

PART 3--ROOMING HOUSES--RESIDENCY RIGHTS AND DUTIES

Division 1--Residency rights

Division 1A--Shared room rights

Division 1B--Discrimination in relation to residency rights

  • 94E Occupancy application forms must include prescribed information  
  • 94F Rooming house operator must not unlawfully discriminate against another person by refusing occupancy  

Division 1C--Disclosures and representations prior to granting residency rights

Division 2--Bonds

Division 3--Rent

Division 4--Other charges

Division 5--General duties of residents and rooming house operators

Division 6--Repairs

Division 7--Rights of entry

  • 136 Access to room  
  • 137 Grounds for entry of a room  
  • 138 Manner of entry  
  • 139 What must be in a notice of entry?  
  • 140 Resident has duty to permit entry  
  • 141 What if damage is caused during entry?  
  • 142 What if a person exercising right of entry fails to comply with Division?  
  • 142A Offence relating to entering room occupied by resident  

Division 8--Standards

Division 9--Rooming House Register

Division 10--Termination of residency rights in rooming houses

PART 4--CARAVAN PARKS AND MOVABLE DWELLINGS--RESIDENCY RIGHTS AND DUTIES

Division 1AA--Application of Part

Division 1--Residency rights

Division 1A--Discrimination in relation to residency rights

Division 1B--Disclosures and representations prior to granting residency rights

Division 2--Bonds

Division 3--Rents and hiring charges

Division 4--Other charges

  • 161 Supply of key  
  • 162 Resident's liability for electricity, gas and water charges  
  • 163 Caravan park owner's liability for electricity, gas and water charges  
  • 164 Owner's responsibility for charges for supply to non-complying appliances  
  • 165 Reimbursement  
  • 166 Owner must not seek overpayment for utility charges  

Division 5--General duties of residents, caravan park owners and caravan owners

Division 6--Repairs

Division 7--Transfer of rights and sale of caravans

Division 7A--Residents committees

Division 8--Rights of entry

Division 9--Termination of residency rights in caravan parks

PART 4A--SITE AGREEMENTS AND SITE–TENANT OWNED DWELLINGS

Division 1--General requirements for site agreements

Division 1A--Discrimination in relation to site agreements

  • 206JB Site agreement application forms must include prescribed information  
  • 206JC Site owner must not unlawfully discriminate against another person by refusing to let Part 4A site  

Division 1B--Disclosures and representations prior to entering into site agreements

Division 2--Bonds

Division 3--Rents and other charges

Division 4--Other charges

Division 5--General duties of site tenants

Division 6--General duties of site owners

Division 7--Part 4A park rules

Division 7A--Repairs

Division 8--Site tenants' committees

Division 9--Assignment and sub-letting

Division 10--Rights of entry

Division 11--Termination of site agreements in Part 4A parks

PART 5--COMPENSATION AND COMPLIANCE

PART 7--REGAINING POSSESSION--POSSESSION ORDERS AND WARRANTS

Division 1--Applications for possession orders

Division 3--Recovery of possession of rented premises where occupied without consent

  • 344 Application for possession order if premises occupied without consent  
  • 345 Order of Tribunal  
  • 346 What must the possession order provide?  
  • 347 Notice to occupiers of premises  
  • 348 Direction of Tribunal if occupier fails to appear  
  • 349 Order of Tribunal if occupier appears  
  • 350 Effect of this Division  

Division 4--Warrants of possession

  • 351 Issue of warrant of possession  
  • 352 Postponement of issue of warrant in certain cases  
  • 353 Immediate issue of warrant if failure to comply during postponement  
  • 354 Extension of time for warrant to be executed  
  • 355 Warrant of possession  
  • 356 Lapsing of possession order and lapsing or cancellation of warrant of possession  
  • 357 Execution of warrant  
  • 358 Offence to re-enter rooming house, site or caravan  

Division 5--Sheriff's powers to remove caravans

PART 8--VIOLENCE ON CERTAIN PREMISES

  • 367 Definitions  
  • 368 Manager may give person notice to leave—serious acts of violence  
  • 368A Offence to give notice to leave or purported notice to leave without reasonable grounds  
  • 369 Offence to remain on premises if given notice to leave  
  • 370 What happens if a notice to leave is given?  
  • 371 How long does a suspension last?  
  • 372 Offence to re-enter premises during suspension  
  • 372A Suspended resident may make arrangements for collection of personal items  
  • 373 Notice to principal registrar  
  • 374 Urgent applications to Tribunal  
  • 375 Tribunal must hear application urgently  
  • 376 What can the Tribunal order?  
  • 377 Offence to allow occupation of premises pending application or hearing  
  • 377A Notice to leave prohibited if notice to vacate under section 91ZJ, 142ZC, 206AR or 207X already given  

PART 9--GOODS LEFT BEHIND BY RENTERS, RESIDENTS AND SITE TENANTS

Division 1--Preliminary

  • 378 Application of this Part  
  • 379 Definitions  

Division 2--Personal documents left behind

Division 3--Goods left behind

  • 383 Application of Division  
  • 384 Disposal of certain goods left behind  
  • 386 What must an owner of premises do about goods left behind?  
  • 387 Renters and other entitled persons may reclaim goods left behind  
  • 388 Occupation fee for goods left behind  
  • 390 What if a caravan owned by a resident is abandoned on site?  
  • 390A What if a Part 4A dwelling owned by a site tenant is abandoned on site?  
  • 391 When owner of premises may sell or dispose of stored goods  
  • 392 Renter may request proceeds of sale of goods  
  • 394 Purchaser takes good title  

Division 4--Orders of Tribunal

  • 395 What if an owner of premises refuses to store goods for more than 14 days?  
  • 395A What if the occupation fee is not sufficient to cover the costs of storage?  
  • 396 What if goods or documents are disposed of in contravention of this Part?  
  • 397 What if goods or documents are wrongfully retained?  
  • 398 What if goods or documents are damaged or lost?  
  • 400 What if personal documents are disposed of in accordance with section 381?  
  • 401 What orders can the Tribunal make?  

PART 10--BONDS AND THE RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES BOND AUTHORITY

Division 1--Interpretation

  • 404 Definitions  

Division 2--Payment of bonds to Residential Tenancies Bond Authority

Division 3--Repayment of bonds

Division 4--General provisions relating to bonds

Division 5--Residential Tenancies Bond Authority

Division 6--Bond Accounts

PART 10A--RESIDENTIAL TENANCY DATABASES

  • 439A Definitions  
  • 439B Application  
  • 439C Notice of usual use of database  
  • 439D Notice of listing if database used  
  • 439E Listing can be made only for particular breaches by particular persons  
  • 439F Further restriction on listing  
  • 439G Ensuring quality of listing—residential rental provider's obligation  
  • 439H Ensuring quality of listing—database operator's obligation  
  • 439I Providing copy of personal information listed  
  • 439J Notifying relevant non-parties of Tribunal order about listing  
  • 439K Keeping personal information listed  
  • 439L Application to Tribunal for removal or amendment of listing  
  • 439M What can the Tribunal order?  
PART 10B--RENTAL NON‑COMPLIANCE REGISTER

PART 11--FUNCTIONS OF TRIBUNAL

Division 2--Jurisdiction of Tribunal

Division 3--Who may apply to Tribunal?

Division 4--Orders of Tribunal

PART 12--ADMINISTRATION

Division 1--Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria

Division 2--Residential Tenancies Fund

Division 3--Rent Special Account

Division 4--Pecuniary penalties

  • 498AC Magistrates' Court may make orders under this Division  
  • 498AD Pecuniary penalties  
  • 498AE Pecuniary penalties and offences  
  • 498AF Individuals acting honestly and reasonably  
  • 498AG Preference must be given to compensation for victims  
  • 498AH Civil action for recovery of pecuniary penalties  
  • 498AI Indemnification of officers  

PART 12A--SPECIALIST DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION

Division 1--Preliminary

Division 2--Provision of information and notices

Division 3--SDA residency agreements

Division 3A--Disclosures and representations prior to entering into SDA residency agreement

Division 4--General rights, responsibilities and duties of SDA providers and SDA residents

Division 5--Repairs and maintenance

Division 6--Rights of entry

Division 7--Rent

Division 8--Other charges

Division 9--Compensation and compliance

Division 10--Termination and notices to vacate

Division 11--Regaining possession--possession orders and warrants

  • 498ZZE Application for possession order by SDA provider  
  • 498ZZF Application for possession order by mortgagee  
  • 498ZZG Hearing of application for possession order  
  • 498ZZH Order of Tribunal  
  • 498ZZHA What is reasonable and proportionate  
  • 498ZZI Order to be dismissed or adjourned in certain circumstances  
  • 498ZZJ Contents of possession order  
  • 498ZZK Order not to be made in certain circumstances  
  • 498ZZL Effect of possession order for SDA enrolled dwelling  
  • 498ZZM What must the possession order provide?  
  • 498ZZN Notice to occupiers of SDA enrolled dwelling  
  • 498ZZO Effect of this Subdivision  
  • 498ZZP Issue of warrant of possession  
  • 498ZZQ Extension of time for warrant to be executed  
  • 498ZZR Warrant of possession  
  • 498ZZS Lapsing of possession order and lapsing or cancellation of warrant of possession  
  • 498ZZT Execution of warrant  
  • 498ZZU Postponement of issue of warrant in certain cases  
  • 498ZZV Immediate issue of warrant if failure to pay rent during postponement  

Division 12--Goods left behind by SDA residents

Division 13--Offences

PART 13--GENERAL

Division 1--Offences

  • 499 Confidentiality  
  • 501 Offence to make false representation—residential rental agreement or residency right  
  • 502 Offence to persuade person not to exercise rights or take proceedings  
  • 503 Offence to aid, abet, counsel or procure commission of offence  
  • 504 Offence to give false information  
  • 505 Certain penalties prohibited  
  • 505A Offences with respect to formal affiliation of premises with school or institution  
  • 505B Offence not to display notice about affiliation of premises with school or institution  

Division 1A--Disclosure, use and transfer of information

  • 505C Disclosure, use and transfer of information  

Division 2--Evidence and legal proceedings

  • 506 Service of documents  
  • 507 Onus of proof that Act does not apply  
  • 507A Application of provisions of Australian Consumer Law and Fair Trading Act 2012  
  • 508 Proceedings for offences  
  • 508A Extended period to prosecute certain offences  
  • 509 Jurisdiction of Supreme Court, County Court and Magistrates' Court  
  • 510 Application to Supreme Court, County Court or Magistrates' Court  
  • 510A Parties to Tribunal proceedings  

Division 2A--Infringement notices

  • 510B Definitions  
  • 510C Power to serve a notice  

Division 2B--Public warning statements

  • 510K Public warning statements  

Division 2C--Substantiation notices

Division 3--Regulations

  • 511 Regulations  

PART 14--REGULATION OF CARAVAN PARKS AND MOVABLE DWELLINGS

Division 1--Application

  • 512 Application of this Part  
  • 513 Minister may exempt caravan park from compliance with this Part  

Division 2--Regulation of caravan parks and movable dwellings

Division 3--Application of building and planning laws

  • 517 Building provisions  
  • 518 Planning provisions  

Division 3A--Fire safety and emergency management procedures

  • 518A Definitions  
  • 518B Provision of fire fighting equipment  
  • 518C Space around movable dwellings and adjacent structures  
  • 518D Emergency management plan and emergency procedures  
  • 518E Public emergency warnings  
  • 518F Council may issue notice  

Division 4--Applications and appeals

Division 5--Enforcement

  • 522 Compliance notice  
  • 523 Closure order  
  • 524 Delegations  
  • 525 Authorised persons  
  • 526 Powers of entry and inspection  
  • 526A Report of inspection  
  • 527 Proceedings for offences against this Part or the regulations  

PART 15--TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

  • 528 Definition of 2005 Act  
  • 529 Number of occupants of room frozen at Royal Assent  
  • 530 Rights of existing residents  
  • 531 Notice to existing residents  
  • 532 Transitional provisions  
  • 533 Transitional provision—Consumer Legislation Amendment Act 2019—pets  

Division 5B--of Part 2 as inserted by the Consumer Legislation Amendment Act 2019 does not apply to a tenancy agreement in existence before the commencement of that Division, unless the tenant, on or after that commencement, introduces or wishes to keep a pet at the rented premises.

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