The start date of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2018 (the “ACT”) which outlines the framework of Residential Tenancy laws has been delayed due to coronavirus (COVID-19), with the amendments to be introduced by 29 March 2021, rather than the original 1 July 2020. The Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021 (the “Regulation”) is currently available to includes details of the relevant sections of the Act for guidelines in practice. These two documents shall be read together to understand the new laws in detail.
Summary of major changes:
Rental providers and estate agents can only advertise or offer rental properties at a fixed price. They are banned from inviting rental bids or soliciting offers of rent higher than the advertised price.
Rental providers and agents cannot:
Renters will no longer need the rental provider’s permission to have all or part of their bond released. They can apply to the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) and the rental provider will have 14 days to dispute the claim.
Furthermore:
Renters can keep pets at a rental property with the written consent of the rental provider. A rental provider can apply to VCAT for an order that it is reasonable to refuse permission.
When a renter pays back overdue rent within 14 days, any notice to vacate issued by the rental provider for that overdue rent is invalidated. This applies for the first four times it happens in a 12-month period. However, if the renter fails to pay rent as required on a fifth occasion in the same 12-month period, the rental provider may give a notice to vacate and apply to VCAT for a possession order. VCAT may adjourn the possession application and place renter on a payment plan to meet the outstanding arrears.
Rental providers can only increase rent once every 12 months under any type of rental agreement. For fixed-term rental agreements, rent increases can only occur if the rental agreement specifies the amount or method of the rent increase.
Rental providers cannot issue a ‘no specified reason’ notice to vacate. To end a rental agreement, rental providers must provide a valid reason such as sale, change of use or demolition of the rental property, or rental provider moving back into the rental property.
Rental providers can issue a notice to vacate if:
Renters will be able to make prescribed modifications without the rental provider’s consent and rental providers cannot unreasonably refuse consent to some modifications. For example, installation of picture hooks or screws for wall mounts; installation of a water efficient shower head if the original shower head is retained; installation of blind or cord anchors.
Rental providers have a duty to ensure their rental property meets the rental minimum standards before a renter moves in. If a property does not comply with the minimum standards, the renter can terminate the rental agreement before they move in, or they can request an urgent repair. Condition reporting is required regardless of whether a bond is taken. The condition report must be completed at the start and end of the rental agreement.
Under the new reforms, urgent repairs include repairs and replacements relating to air conditioning, safety devices, and any fault or damage which makes the rental property unsafe or uninhabitable.
Rental providers found by VCAT to have committed an offence or breached a duty under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 will have their name, rental property address, and nature of their offence or compensation or compliance order made listed on the register available from the Consumer Affairs Victoria website.
Reference:
Consumer Affairs Victoria
https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/renting/changes-to-renting-laws/all-changes-in-place-from-july-2020, accessed 23 February 2021.
Please note: The content of our publication is intended for general information purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any matter. Please contact our firm for discussion of your particular circumstances.