RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES ACT 1997 - SECT 91ZM Non-payment of rent

RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES ACT 1997 - SECT 91ZM

    (1)     On the first, second, third and fourth occasion of non-payment of rent—

        (a)     the residential rental provider may give a notice to vacate under this section to the renter; and

        (b)     if the renter pays the unpaid rent on or before the termination date in the notice under paragraph (a), the notice is of no effect; and

        (c)     if the renter does not pay the unpaid rent on or before the termination date in the notice under paragraph (a), the residential rental provider may apply to the Tribunal for a possession order; and

        (d)     on an application for a possession order, if the Tribunal has made an assessment under section 331 in respect of the application, the Tribunal—

              (i)     may place the renter on a payment plan and adjourn the application for the possession order; or

              (ii)     may make a possession order.

    (2)     On the fifth occasion of non-payment of rent—

        (a)     the residential rental provider may give a notice to vacate under this section to the renter; and

        (b)     the notice given under paragraph (a) remains in effect despite the renter paying the unpaid rent on or before the termination date in the notice; and

        (c)     the residential rental provider may apply to the Tribunal for a possession order after the expiry of the notice under paragraph (a); and

        (d)     section 331 does not apply to an application under paragraph (c); and

        (e)     on an application under paragraph (c), the Tribunal may make a possession order.

    (3)     If the Tribunal places a renter on a payment plan under subsection (1)(d)(i) and the renter complies with the terms of the payment plan and has paid the unpaid rent—

        (a)     the Tribunal is to dismiss the application for the possession order; and

        (b)     the residential rental agreement continues despite any notice to vacate that has already been given to the renter.

    (4)     If the Tribunal places a renter on a payment plan under subsection (1)(d)(i) and the renter does not comply with the terms of the payment plan, the Tribunal may make a possession order.

    (5)     A notice to vacate given under this section must specify a termination date that is not less than 14 days after the date on which the notice is given.

    (6)     For the purposes of this section, a separate notice to vacate must be given for each separate occasion of non-payment of rent.

    (7)     In this section—

"occasion of non-payment of rent" means an occasion where the renter owes at least 14 days rent within a 12 month period of the residential rental agreement, but does not include any amount owing under a payment plan ordered by the Tribunal;

12 month period means—

        (a)     the first 12 month period of the residential rental agreement that begins on the first day of the residential rental agreement; or

        (b)     the second 12 month period of the residential rental agreement, if any, that begins on the day after the end of the first 12 month period of the residential rental agreement; or

        (c)     any consecutive 12 month period of the residential rental agreement, if any, that begins immediately after the end of the first or a subsequent 12 month period of the residential rental agreement.

S. 91ZM(8) amended by No. 40/2022 s. 60(18).

    (8)     For the purposes of this section, rent in relation to a residential rental agreement under which Homes Victoria or a registered agency is the residential rental provider, is the amount payable to the residential rental provider by the renter to occupy rented premises and use facilities or services less any applicable rental rebate.

S. 91ZM(9) inserted by No. 40/2022 s. 65.

    (9)     For the purposes of this section, rent, in relation to a residential rental agreement for rented premises which are provided under the Victorian Affordable Housing Programs, is the amount payable to the residential rental provider by the renter to occupy those rented premises and use facilities or services less any applicable rebate under the relevant Victorian Affordable Housing Program.

S. 91ZN inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 236 (as amended by Nos 47/2019 s. 82, 32/2020 ss 10, 13, 1/2021 s. 94).