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RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES ACT 1997 - NOTES

RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES ACT 1997 - NOTES

Version No. 104

No. 109 of 1997

Version incorporating amendments as at

1 September 2023

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Version No. 104

Residential Tenancies Act 1997

No. 109 of 1997

Version incorporating amendments as at

1 September 2023

Endnotes

    1     General information

See www.legislation.vic.gov.au for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.

Minister's second reading speech—

Legislative Assembly: 30 October 1997

Legislative Council: 20 November 1997

The long title for the Bill for this Act was "to re-enact with amendments the law relating to residential tenancies, rooming houses and caravan parks, to provide for a Residential Tenancies Tribunal and a Residential Tenancies Bond Authority, to repeal the Residential Tenancies Act 1980, the Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Act 1988 and the Rooming Houses Act 1990 and for other purposes."

The Residential Tenancies Act 1997 was assented to on 23 December 1997 and came into operation as follows:

Part 1 (sections 1–25) on 23 December 1997: section 2(1); rest of Act on 1 July 1998: Government Gazette 18 June 1998 page 1512.

INTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)

Style changes

Section 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.

References to ILA s. 39B

Sidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided section or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subsections or subclauses, the original section or clause becomes subsection or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression "(1)" at the beginning of the original section or clause.

Interpretation

As from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:

•     Headings

All headings included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any heading inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. This includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; sections; clauses; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms. See section 36(1A)(2A).

•     Examples, diagrams or notes

All examples, diagrams or notes included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Act. See section 36(3A).

•     Punctuation

All punctuation included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 forms part of that Act. Any punctuation inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. See section 36(3B).

•     Provision numbers

All provision numbers included in an Act form part of that Act, whether inserted in the Act before, on or after 1 January 2001. Provision numbers include section numbers, subsection numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).

•     Location of "legislative items"

A "legislative item" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of an Act is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.

•     Other material

Any explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of an Act.

See section 36(3)(3D)(3E).

    2     Table of Amendments

This publication incorporates amendments made to the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 by Acts and subordinate instruments.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Residential Tenancies Act 1997, No. 109/1997 (as amended by No. 25/2020)

Assent Date:

23.12.97

Commencement Date:

S. 615 inserted on 25.4.20 by No. 11/2020 s. 46: s. 2; Sch. 1 cl. 20(4) inserted on 19.6.19 by No. 45/2018 s. 368: Special Gazette (No. 228) 12.6.19 p. 1; Sch. 2 cl. 2(4) inserted on 1.7.19 by No. 38/2018 s. 310: Special Gazette (No. 254) 25.6.19 p. 1

Note:

S. 615 repealed Pt 16 (ss 534–616) on 28.3.21; Sch. 1 cl. 20(4) repealed Sch. 1 cl. 20 on 19.6.21; Sch. 2 cl. 2(4) repealed Sch. 2 cl. 2 on 1.7.21

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Public Sector Reform (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1998, No. 46/1998

Assent Date:

26.5.98

Commencement Date:

S. 7(Sch. 1) on 1.7.98: s. 2(2)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Tribunals and Licensing Authorities (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1998, No. 52/1998

Assent Date:

2.6.98

Commencement Date:

Ss 234–242 on 1.7.98: Government Gazette 18.6.98 p. 1512

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Licensing and Tribunal (Amendment) Act 1998, No. 101/1998

Assent Date:

1.12.98

Commencement Date:

S. 32 on 1.2.99: Government Gazette 24.12.98 p. 3204

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Fair Trading (Inspectors Powers and Other Amendments) Act 1999, No. 17/1999

Assent Date:

18.5.99

Commencement Date:

Ss 41, 42 on 1.9.99: Government Gazette 19.8.99 p. 1901

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Planning and Environment (Amendment) Act 2000, No. 28/2000

Assent Date:

30.5.00

Commencement Date:

S. 22 on 31.5.00: s. 2(1)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Business Registration Acts (Amendment) Act 2000, No. 35/2000

Assent Date:

6.6.00

Commencement Date:

S. 50 on 19.6.00: Government Gazette 15.6.00 p. 1248

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Statute Law Revision Act 2000, No. 74/2000

Assent Date:

21.11.00

Commencement Date:

S. 3(Sch. 1 item 108) on 22.11.00: s. 2(1)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Statute Law Amendment (Authorised Deposit-taking Institutions) Act 2001, No. 11/2001

Assent Date:

8.5.01

Commencement Date:

S. 3(Sch. item 63) on 1.6.01: s. 2(2)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Statute Law Amendment (Relationships) Act 2001, No. 27/2001

Assent Date:

12.6.01

Commencement Date:

S. 3(Sch. 1 item 10) on 28.6.01: Government Gazette 28.6.01 p. 1428

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Statute Law (Further Revision) Act 2002, No. 11/2002

Assent Date:

23.4.02

Commencement Date:

S. 3(Sch. 1 item 56) on 24.4.02: s. 2(1)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2002, No. 45/2002

Assent Date:

22.10.02

Commencement Date:

Ss 4–100 on 1.7.03: Government Gazette 5.6.03 p. 1287

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Fair Trading (Amendment) Act 2003, No. 30/2003

Assent Date:

27.5.03

Commencement Date:

S. 91 on 28.5.03: s. 2(1)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2003, No. 93/2003

Assent Date:

25.11.03

Commencement Date:

30.6.04: s. 2(2)

Current State:

All of Act in operation

Fair Trading (Enhanced Compliance) Act 2004, No. 103/2004

Assent Date:

21.12.04

Commencement Date:

Ss 62–67 on 22.12.04: s. 2(1)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Public Administration Act 2004, No. 108/2004

Assent Date:

21.12.04

Commencement Date:

S. 117(1)(Sch. 3 item 174) on 5.4.05: Government Gazette 31.3.05 p. 602

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Residential Tenancies (Further Amendment) Act 2005, No. 63/2005

Assent Date:

20.9.05

Commencement Date:

Ss 4–6, 8, 14–31 on 20.9.05: s. 2(1); ss 7, 9–13 on 1.12.05: s. 2(3)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Disability Act 2006, No. 23/2006

Assent Date:

16.5.06

Commencement Date:

S. 248 on 1.7.07: s. 2(3)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Infringements (Consequential and Other Amendments) Act 2006, No. 32/2006

Assent Date:

13.6.06

Commencement Date:

S. 94(Sch. item 42) on 1.7.06: Government Gazette 29.6.06 p. 1315

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Children, Youth and Families (Consequential and Other Amendments) Act 2006, No. 48/2006

Assent Date:

15.8.06

Commencement Date:

S. 42(Sch. item 30) on 23.4.07: s. 2(3)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Water (Governance) Act 2006, No. 85/2006

Assent Date:

17.10.06

Commencement Date:

S. 173(Sch. 1 item 9) on 1.7.07: s. 2(3)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Fair Trading and Consumer Acts Amendment Act 2007, No. 17/2007

Assent Date:

29.5.07

Commencement Date:

S. 36(Sch. item 12) on 30.5.07: s. 2(1)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Fair Trading and Consumer Acts Further Amendment Act 2008, No. 2/2008

Assent Date:

11.2.08

Commencement Date:

S. 60(Sch. item 10) on 12.2.08: s. 2(1)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Consumer Credit (Victoria) and Other Acts Amendment Act 2008, No. 6/2008

Assent Date:

18.3.08

Commencement Date:

S. 28 on 31.10.08: Government Gazette 30.10.08 p. 2530

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Relationships Act 2008, No. 12/2008

Assent Date:

15.4.08

Commencement Date:

S. 73(1)(Sch. 1 item 51) on 1.12.08: s. 2(2)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Unclaimed Money Act 2008, No. 44/2008

Assent Date:

26.8.08

Commencement Date:

S. 114 on 1.1.09: s. 2(2)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Family Violence Protection Act 2008, No. 52/2008

Assent Date:

23.9.08

Commencement Date:

Ss 257–264 on 8.12.08: Special Gazette (No. 339) 4.12.08 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Fair Trading and Other Acts Amendment Act 2009, No. 19/2009

Assent Date:

10.6.09

Commencement Date:

S. 19 on 11.6.09: s. 2(1); ss 18, 20, 21 on 1.3.10: s. 2(3)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Criminal Procedure Amendment (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2009, No. 68/2009

Assent Date:

24.11.09

Commencement Date:

S. 97(Sch. item 103) on 1.1.10: Government Gazette 10.12.09 p. 3215

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Consumer Affairs Legislation Amendment Act 2010, No. 1/2010

Assent Date:

9.2.10

Commencement Date:

S. 109 on 1.8.10: Government Gazette 22.7.10 p. 1628

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Water Amendment (Entitlements) Act 2010, No. 32/2010

Assent Date:

8.6.10

Commencement Date:

Ss 78, 79 on 1.1.11: s. 2(2)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Supported Residential Services (Private Proprietors) Act 2010, No. 49/2010

Assent Date:

24.8.10

Commencement Date:

S. 231 on 1.7.12 s. 2(2)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Personal Safety Intervention Orders Act 2010, No. 53/2010 (as amended by No. 20/2011)

Assent Date:

7.9.10

Commencement Date:

S. 221(Sch. item 9) on 5.9.11: Special Gazette (No. 271) 23.8.11 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Consumer Affairs Legislation Amendment (Reform) Act 2010, No. 63/2010

Assent Date:

28.9.10

Commencement Date:

S. 64 on 1.1.12: Special Gazette (No. 423) 21.12.11 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2010, No. 67/2010 (as amended by No. 36/2011)

Assent Date:

28.9.10

Commencement Date:

Ss 4–75, 77–84, 90–170 on 1.9.11: Special Gazette (No. 265) 16.8.11 p. 1; ss 76, 85–89 on 31.3.12: s. 2(2)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Fair Trading Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Act 2010, No. 72/2010

Assent Date:

19.10.10

Commencement Date:

S. 48(Sch. item 19) on 1.1.11: Special Gazette (No. 502) 20.12.10 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Residential Tenancies Amendment (Public Housing) Act 2011, No. 18/2011

Assent Date:

31.5.11

Commencement Date:

1.6.11: s. 2

Current State:

All of Act in operation

Water Amendment (Governance and Other Reforms) Act 2012, No. 17/2012

Assent Date:

3.4.12

Commencement Date:

S. 94 on 1.7.12: Special Gazette (No. 172) 29.5.12 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Australian Consumer Law and Fair Trading Act 2012, No. 21/2012

Assent Date:

8.5.12

Commencement Date:

S. 239(Sch. 6 items 36.1, 36.4) on 1.7.12: Special Gazette (No. 214) 28.6.12 p. 1; s. 239(Sch. 6 items 36.2, 36.3, 36.5) on 1.9.12: Special Gazette (No. 291) 28.8.12 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Statute Law Revision Act 2012, No. 43/2012

Assent Date:

27.6.12

Commencement Date:

S. 3(Sch. item 42) on 28.6.12: s. 2(1)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2012, No. 47/2012

Assent Date:

21.8.12

Commencement Date:

Ss 3–8, 9, 21, 30 on 1.10.12: Special Gazette (No. 324) 26.9.12 p. 1; ss 10–20, 22–29 on 1.5.13: Special Gazette (No. 163) 30.4.13 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Residential Tenancies and Other Consumer Acts Amendment Act 2012, No. 56/2012

Assent Date:

18.9.12

Commencement Date:

S. 5 on 19.9.12: s. 2(1); ss 8–12 on 1.2.13: Special Gazette (No. 444) 19.12.12 p. 1; ss 3, 4, 6, 7 on 31.3.13: s. 2(2); ss 13–18 on 1.8.13: Special Gazette (No. 277) 30.7.13 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Consumer Affairs Legislation Amendment Act 2013, No. 57/2013

Assent Date:

22.10.13

Commencement Date:

Ss 13–17 on 23.10.13: s. 2(3)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Mental Health Act 2014, No. 26/2014

Assent Date:

8.4.14

Commencement Date:

S. 455(Sch. item 25) on 1.7.14: s. 2(1)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Victoria Police Amendment (Consequential and Other Matters) Act 2014, No. 37/2014

Assent Date:

3.6.14

Commencement Date:

S. 10(Sch. item 144) on 1.7.14: Special Gazette (No. 200) 24.6.14 p. 2

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014, No. 60/2014

Assent Date:

2.9.14

Commencement Date:

S. 140(Sch. 3 item 41) on 17.9.14: Special Gazette (No. 317) 16.9.14 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Veterans and Other Acts Amendment Act 2015, No. 12/2015

Assent Date:

21.4.15

Commencement Date:

S. 10 on 15.6.15: Special Gazette (No. 144) 9.6.15 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment Act 2016, No. 2/2016

Assent Date:

16.2.16

Commencement Date:

S. 18 on 20.10.16: s. 2(2)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Consumer Acts and Other Acts Amendment Act 2016, No. 23/2016

Assent Date:

10.5.16

Commencement Date:

Ss 25, 26 on 1.6.16: Special Gazette (No. 162) 24.5.16 p. 1; s. 24 on 30.9.16: s. 2(2)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Rooming House Operators Act 2016, No. 26/2016

Assent Date:

10.5.16

Commencement Date:

Ss 87–93 on 26.4.17: Special Gazette (No. 57) 7.3.17: p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

National Domestic Violence Order Scheme Act 2016, No. 53/2016

Assent Date:

18.10.16

Commencement Date:

Ss 116–123 on 25.11.17: Special Gazette (No. 388) 15.11.17 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Justice Legislation Amendment (Court Security, Juries and Other Matters) Act 2017, No. 38/2017

Assent Date:

29.8.17

Commencement Date:

S. 91 on 30.8.17: s. 2(1)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Disability Service Safeguards Act 2018, No. 38/2018 (as amended by No. 19/2019)

Assent Date:

28.8.18

Commencement Date:

Ss 293–299, 302−310 on 1.7.19: Special Gazette (No. 254) 25.6.19 p. 1; ss 300, 301 never proclaimed, repealed by No. 19/2019 s. 234

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Residential Tenancies Amendment (Long-term Tenancy Agreements) Act 2018, No. 40/2018

Assent Date:

28.8.18

Commencement Date:

Ss 4‒18 on 1.2.19: s. 2(2)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2018, No. 45/2018 (as amended by Nos 19/2019, 47/2019, 11/2020, 25/2020, 32/2020, 1/2021)

Assent Date:

18.9.18

Commencement Date:

Ss 5(6), 123, 124, 235, 323–327 on 3.4.19: Special Gazette (No. 128) 2.4.19 p. 1; ss 34(5)(c), 53(4),

368 on 19.6.19: Special Gazette (No. 228) 12.6.19 p. 1; ss 4–5(3)(d), 5(3)(f)–(5), 6–34(5)(b), 35−53(3), 53(5)−122, 125–234, 236–322, 329–342(12), 342(15)–367, 380–386, Sch. 1 on 29.3.21: Special Gazette (No. 42) 27.1.21 p. 1; s. 5(3)(e) never proclaimed, repealed by No. 19/2019 s. 237(2);

ss 387, 388 never proclaimed, repealed by

No. 19/2019 s. 239; s. 342(13)(14) never proclaimed, repealed by No. 47/2019 s. 87

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Disability (National Disability Insurance Scheme Transition) Amendment Act 2019, No. 19/2019[4]

Assent Date:

25.6.19

Commencement Date:

Ss 147–212, 214 on 2.7.19: Special Gazette (No. 254) 25.6.19 p. 1; ss 213, 215−217 on 1.7.20: s. 2(4)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Firefighters' Presumptive Rights Compensation and Fire Services Legislation Amendment (Reform) Act 2019, No. 20/2019

Assent Date:

2.7.19

Commencement Date:

S. 186 on 1.7.20: Special Gazette (No. 328) 30.6.20 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Consumer Legislation Amendment Act 2019, No. 47/2019

Assent Date:

3.12.19

Commencement Date:

Ss 52–54, 91–95 on 4.12.19: s. 2(1); ss 46–49 on 2.3.20: Special Gazette (No. 91) 25.2.20 p. 1; ss 55–60 on 31.8.20: s. 2(3)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Local Government Act 2020, No. 9/2020

Assent Date:

24.3.20

Commencement Date:

S. 390(Sch. 1 item 86) on 6.4.20: Special Gazette (No. 150) 24.3.20 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Act 2020, No. 11/2020

Assent Date:

24.4.20

Commencement Date:

Ss 46−49 on 25.4.20: s. 2

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

COVID-19 Commercial and Residential Tenancies Legislation Amendment (Extension) Act 2020, No. 25/2020

Assent Date:

22.9.20

Commencement Date:

S. 10 on 23.9.20: s. 2(1)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Consumer and Other Acts Miscellaneous Amendments Act 2021, No. 1/2021

Assent Date:

9.2.21

Commencement Date:

Ss 8347710129">–85 on 10.3.21: Special Gazette (No. 110) 10.3.21 p. 1; s. 82 on 29.3.21: Special Gazette (No. 110) 10.3.21 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022, No. 39/2022

Assent Date:

6.9.22

Commencement Date:

S. 859 on 1.9.23: s. 2(2)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Residential Tenancies, Housing and Social Services Regulation Amendment (Administration and Other Matters) Act 2022, No. 40/2022

Assent Date:

6.9.22

Commencement Date:

Ss 9–17, 60–65 on 7.9.22: s. 2(2); ss 3–7 on 20.6.23: s. 2(4)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Disability and Social Services Regulation Amendment Act 2023, No. 9/2023

Assent Date:

23.5.23

Commencement Date:

S. 237 on 24.5.23: s. 2(1)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

    3     Explanatory details

[1] S. 6 (repealed): The amendments proposed by section 342(3)–(5) of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2018, No. 45/2018 (as amended by Nos 19/2019, 47/2019, 11/2020, 25/2020, 32/2020, 1/2021) are not included in this publication due to the earlier repeal of section 6 by section 5 of the Residential Tenancies Amendment (Long-term Tenancy Agreements) Act 2018, No. 40/2018.

Section 342(3)–(5) reads as follows:

        342     Further consequential amendments of Division 2 of Part 1

    (3)     Insert the following heading to section 6 of the Principal Act—

"Residential rental agreements exceeding 5 years".

    (4)     In section 6(1) of the Principal Act—

        (a)     for "tenancy agreement" (where twice occurring) substitute "residential rental agreement";

        (b)     in paragraph (b)—

              (i)     for "landlord" substitute "residential rental provider";

              (ii)     for "tenant" substitute "renter".

    (5)     In section 6(2) of the Principal Act—

        (a)     for "tenancy agreement" (wherever occurring) substitute "residential rental agreement";

        (b)     in paragraph (a), for "tenant" substitute "renter".

[2] Note to s. 26: The amendment proposed by section 384 of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2018, No. 45/2018 (as amended by Nos 19/2019, 47/2019, 11/2020, 25/2020, 32/2020, 1/2021) is not included in this publication due to the earlier substitution of the note to section 26 by section 11(8) of that Act.

Section 384 reads as follows:

        384     Tenancy agreements to be in standard form

In the note at the foot of section 26 of the Principal Act, for "landlord" substitute "residential rental provider".

[3] Pt 16 (Heading and ss 535−615) (repealed): The amendment proposed by section 86 of the Consumer and Other Acts Miscellaneous Amendments Act 2021, No. 1/2021 is not included in this publication due to the earlier repeal of Part 16 by section 615 of the Principal Act.

Section 86 read as as follows:

        86     Repeal of Part

In section 615 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997, for "the day that is 6 months after its commencement" substitute "26 September 2020".

[4] Table of Amendments (Disability (National Disability Insurance Scheme Transition) Amendment Act 2019): The amendments proposed by sections 215 and 216 of the Disability (National Disability Insurance Scheme Transition) Amendment Act 2019, No. 19/2019 are not included in this publication because Subdivision 3 of Division 9 of Part 2 and section 91ZB were not part of this Act when sections 215 and 216 came into operation.

Sections 215 and 216 read as follows:

        215     New Subdivision 3A inserted in Division 9 of Part 2

After Subdivision 3 of Division 9 of Part 2 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 insert—

"Subdivision 3A—Termination of residential rental agreement because of coercion or deception of SDA resident

        91YA     Application for termination of residential rental agreement because of coercion or deception of SDA resident

    (1)     An SDA resident who is a party to a residential rental agreement may apply to the Tribunal for any of the following orders on a ground specified in subsection (2)—

        (a)     an order terminating the existing residential rental agreement;

        (b)     an order—

              (i)     terminating the existing residential rental agreement; and

              (ii)     requiring the SDA provider who is a residential rental provider to enter a new residential rental agreement with the person who is an SDA resident and other persons (if any) specified in the application;

        (c)     if all the renters under the existing residential rental agreement are SDA residents, an order—

              (i)     terminating the residential rental agreement; and

              (ii)     requiring the SDA provider who is a residential rental provider to enter into, or establish, an SDA residency agreement with each person who is a renter under the existing residential rental agreement.

    (2)     The following grounds are specified for the purposes of subsection (1)—

        (a)     the SDA resident was coerced or deceived into entering into the residential rental agreement;

        (b)     the SDA resident did not receive an information statement as required under section 498D before entering into the residential rental agreement;

        (c)     the SDA resident was given an information statement under section 498D but did not receive an explanation of that statement under section 498E.

    (3)     For the purposes of a proceeding for an order under subsection (1), each of the following persons is a party to the proceeding—

        (a)     the SDA resident or one of the following persons who may make an application on behalf of the SDA resident—

              (i)     the Director;

              (ii)     the SDA resident's guardian (if any);

              (iii)     the SDA resident's administrator (if any);

              (iv)     the Public Advocate;

        (b)     the SDA provider;

        (c)     any other party to the existing residential rental agreement;

        (d)     any other person specified in the application as a party.

    (4)     An application under subsection (1) may be made without the consent of the SDA provider or any other party to the existing residential rental agreement.

    (5)     The Tribunal must hear an application under subsection (1)—

        (a)     within 3 business days of the application being made; or

        (b)     if the application cannot be heard within the period referred to in paragraph (a), no later than the next available sitting day of the Tribunal after the end of that 3 business day period.

    (6)     If an application is made under subsection (1), any other action that could otherwise be taken in respect of the existing residential rental agreement is stayed until the Tribunal determines the application.

        91YB     Tribunal orders

    (1)     On an application under section 91YA(1), the Tribunal may—

        (a)     order the dismissal of the application; or

        (b)     if satisfied that the SDA resident was coerced or deceived into entering a residential rental agreement or that the SDA resident did not receive an information statement under section 498D or an explanation of the information statement under section 498E—

              (i)     order the termination of the existing residential rental agreement; or

              (ii)     order the termination of the existing residential rental agreement and that the SDA provider enter into a new residential rental agreement with the SDA resident and other persons (if any) specified in the application; or

              (iii)     if all renters to the agreement are SDA residents, order the termination of the existing residential rental agreement and require the SDA provider to enter into or establish an SDA residency agreement with each SDA resident.

    (2)     If the Tribunal makes an order under subsection (1)(b), the Tribunal must specify the date on which the existing residential rental agreement terminates.

    (3)     For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), the Tribunal may—

        (a)     adjourn the application to determine a termination date in consultation with the renters party to the existing residential rental agreement; or

        (b)     adjourn the application to allow the parties to the agreement to enter into a new residential rental agreement or to enter into, or establish, one or more SDA residency agreements (as appropriate); or

        (c)     if, during an adjournment the parties to the residential rental agreement are—

              (i)     unable to enter into a new residential rental agreement, direct the parties to enter into a new residential rental agreement on terms declared by the Tribunal; or

              (ii)     unable to enter into, or establish, one or multiple SDA residency agreements (as appropriate), direct the parties to enter into one or multiple new SDA residency agreements (as appropriate) on terms declared by the Tribunal.

    (4)     If the Tribunal makes an order under subsection (1)(b), having regard to any financial disadvantage suffered by the renter and regardless of any loss or damage suffered by the SDA provider, the Tribunal may—

        (a)     order that any bond paid by the renter under the existing residential rental agreement be paid out by the Authority to the renter and, if there is more than one renter under the existing residential rental agreement, apportion the bond to be paid out by the Authority between the renters; and

        (b)     revoke any compensation orders that have been issued against the renter.

    (5)     In determining an application under section 91YA(1), the Tribunal may take into account the Director's guidelines.".

        216     Reduced period of notice of intention to vacate in certain circumstances

    (1)     In section 91ZB(1) of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997—

        (a)     in paragraph (f), for "2010." substitute "2010; or";

        (b)     after paragraph (f) insert—

    "(g)     the renter, who is an SDA resident, has been given a notice under section 498DA.".

    (2)     After section 91ZB(3) of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 insert—

    "(3A)     A renter to whom subsection (1)(g) applies may give a residential rental provider who is, or was, an SDA provider, a notice of intention to vacate a premises that is, or was, an SDA enrolled dwelling, specifying a termination date that is not less than 14 days after the date on which the notice is given.".



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