Part 1Preliminary1Short titleThis regulation may be cited as the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation (COVID-19 Emergency Response) Regulation 2020.2CommencementThe following provisions are taken to have commenced on 29 March 2020—•part 1•sections 8, 47 and 89•schedule 1.
3Declaration that regulation is made under COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020, s 24It is declared that this regulation is made under the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020, section 24.Note—This regulation expires 31 December 2020. See the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020, section 24(8).4Application of regulationThis regulation applies to—(a)all residential tenancy agreements and rooming accommodation agreements entered into before or after the commencement of this section; and(b)all tenants, lessors, residents and providers, and their agents, for the agreements mentioned in paragraph (a).
5Interpretation(1)The dictionary in schedule 1 defines particular words used in this regulation.(2)Unless a contrary intention appears, a reference in this regulation to the Act is a reference to the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008.6When person suffers excessive hardship because of COVID-19 emergency(1)This section applies to a person who is a tenant or a resident.(2)For this regulation, the person suffers excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency if, during the COVID-19 emergency period—(a)any of the following circumstances apply to the person—(i)the person, or another person under the person’s care, suffers from COVID-19;(ii)the person is subject to a quarantine direction;(iii)the person’s place of employment is closed, or the trade or business conducted by the person’s employer is restricted, because of a public health direction, including, for example, because a public health direction has closed a major supplier or customer of the person’s employer;Examples—1The person’s place of employment is closed in compliance with a public health direction.2The person’s place of employment is unable to continue to operate because of a loss of trade or business resulting from a public health direction.
(iv)the person is self-isolating because the person is a vulnerable person, lives with a vulnerable person or is the primary carer for a vulnerable person;(v)a restriction on travel, imposed under a public health direction or other law, prevents the person working or returning home;(vi)the COVID-19 emergency prevents the person leaving or returning to Australia; and
(b)the person—(i)suffers a loss of income of 25% or more; or(ii)the rent payable by the person under a residential tenancy agreement or rooming accommodation agreement is 30% or more of the person’s income.
(3)However, if there is more than 1 tenant or resident under the residential tenancy agreement or rooming accommodation agreement, subsection (2)(b) is taken to provide—(a)that there has been a 25% or more reduction in the combined total income of all of the tenants or residents; or(b)that the rent payable under the agreement is 30% or more of the combined total income of all of the tenants or residents.
7Operation of provisions about inconsistency with Act(1)This section applies to a provision of this regulation that— (a)makes provision for this regulation to override a provision of the Act; or (b)disapplies a provision of the Act.
(2)It is not intended that the provision limits the application of the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020, section 24(3)(a) or (7)(a).Part 2Residential tenanciesDivision 1Moratorium on evictions8Moratorium on evictions(1)Until the end of the relevant period, a lessor or lessor’s agent must not evict a tenant for failure to pay rent as required under the residential tenancy agreement if the failure relates to the tenant suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency.Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.(2)Subsection (1) does not prevent a lessor ending a residential tenancy agreement under the Act—(a)for any reason other than a failure to pay rent as required under the agreement; or(b)for a failure to pay rent as required under the agreement if the failure was not related to the tenant suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency; or(c)as a consequence of having given a notice to leave, or applying to the tribunal for an order terminating the agreement, before 29 March 2020.
(3)In this section—evict, a tenant, means—(a)give the tenant a notice to leave; or(b)apply to the tribunal for an order terminating the residential tenancy agreement; or(c)cause the tenant to vacate the premises by any of the following actions—(i)coercing the tenant into agreeing to end the residential tenancy agreement under section 277(2) of the Act;(ii)preventing the tenant from freely accessing the premises, including, for example, by changing the locks or intimidating the tenant;(iii)causing the tenant to vacate the premises because of false or misleading information given to the tenant by the lessor or by another person on behalf of the lessor;(iv)causing the tenant to vacate the premises because of acts of intimidation carried out by the lessor or by another person on behalf of the lessor.
relevant period means the period starting on 29 March 2020 and ending on the earlier of the following days—(a)29 September 2020;(b)the last day of the COVID-19 emergency period.
Division 2Extending residential tenancy agreements9Extension of fixed term agreements(1)This section applies to a residential tenancy agreement that creates a residential tenancy for a fixed term ending on or before 29 September 2020, unless—(a)the agreement ended before the commencement of this section; or(b)any of the following happened before the commencement of this section—(i)the lessor gave the tenant a notice to leave;(ii)the tenant gave the lessor a notice of intention to leave;(iii)a party to the agreement applied to the tribunal for a termination order.
(2)However, this section applies to an agreement mentioned in subsection (1)(b) if—(a)the notice mentioned in subsection (1)(b)(i) or (ii) is invalid; or(b)the application mentioned in subsection (1)(b)(iii) is rejected.
(3)If the tenant is suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency, the lessor must, before the term of the agreement ends, offer the tenant an extension of the term to 30 September 2020 or an earlier date requested by the tenant.Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.(4)On its extension under subsection (3), the residential tenancy agreement continues on the same terms.(5)No costs are payable by the tenant for the extension of the residential tenancy agreement under subsection (3).(6)To remove any doubt, it is declared that the extension of the residential tenancy agreement under subsection (3) does not prevent the agreement ending under section 277 of the Act, subject to the limitations under this regulation.(7)This section overrides sections 70, 331 and 332 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and those sections of the Act.10Extending short tenancy statements(1)This section applies to a residential tenancy agreement for movable dwelling premises if the lessor and tenant make a short term tenancy statement or a short tenancy (extension) statement during the COVID-19 emergency period.(2)The parties may continue to make short tenancy (extension) statements.(3)This section overrides section 48(3) of the Act.Division 3Rent11Unpaid rent—show cause notice(1)This section applies if—(a)the rent payable under a residential tenancy agreement has remained unpaid in breach of the agreement for at least 7 days; and(b)the lessor knows, or ought reasonably to know, the tenant is or has been suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency.
(2)The lessor must not give the tenant a notice to remedy breach under section 280 of the Act but may give the tenant a show cause notice for the unpaid rent. (3)If the tenant is given a show cause notice for the unpaid rent, the tenant must do either of the following within 14 days after being given the notice— (a)pay the unpaid rent; (b)inform the lessor the rent is unpaid because the tenant is or has been suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency.
(4)Despite subsection (2), if the tenant does not comply with subsection (3) the lessor may give the tenant a notice to remedy breach under section 280 of the Act for the unpaid rent.(5)If—(a)the tenant does not pay the unpaid rent within 14 days after being given the show cause notice; and(b)the tenant informs the lessor under subsection (3)(b) that the rent is unpaid because the tenant is or has been suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency;
the lessor may request that the tenant enter into a tenancy variation agreement with the lessor.(6)This section overrides section 280 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and section 280 of the Act.(7)In this section—show cause notice, for unpaid rent by a tenant, means a notice, in the approved form, stating all of the following—(a)the tenant has not paid rent as required by the agreement;(b)the amount of the unpaid rent;(c)that the tenant must respond to the notice, or pay the amount of unpaid rent, within 14 days of receiving the notice;(d)that, in responding to the notice, the tenant must state whether or not the rent is unpaid because the tenant is or has been suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency.
12Conciliation of dispute about unpaid rent(1)This section applies if—(a)a lessor requested, under section 11(5), that a tenant enter into a tenancy variation agreement with the lessor; and(b)the lessor and tenant are unable to agree to a tenancy variation agreement.
(2)Either party may make a dispute resolution request in relation to a tenancy dispute related to the unpaid rent.Note—See section 402 of the Act about making a dispute resolution request.(3)If the tenancy dispute is not resolved through conciliation under chapter 6, part 1 of the Act, either party may apply to the tribunal for an order about the unpaid rent.(4)On an application under subsection (3), the tribunal may make an order it considers appropriate about the unpaid rent.Note—See also the powers of the tribunal under section 420 of the Act.13Tenancy variation agreements(1)A tenant and lessor may enter into an agreement for a rent reduction for a stated period or a payment plan for unpaid rent (each a tenancy variation agreement).(2)The tenancy variation agreement must be in the approved form and be signed by the tenant and lessor.(3)Section 53 of the Act does not apply to the tenancy variation agreement.(4)To remove any doubt, it is declared that the lessor and tenant may enter into a tenancy variation agreement at any time.14Rent decreases(1)This section applies if—(a)the tenant and lessor enter into a tenancy variation agreement; and(b)the rent required under the residential tenancy agreement is reduced under the tenancy variation agreement.
(2)Sections 91, 92 and 93 of the Act do not apply to an increase in rent at the end of the term of the tenancy variation agreement.(3)However, subsection (2) does not apply if the rent, as increased at the end of the term of the tenancy variation agreement, is more than the rent that was required under the residential tenancy agreement before the tenancy variation agreement started.15Failure to leave for unremedied breach relating to unpaid rent(1)This section applies if—(a)an application is made to the tribunal for a termination order because of a failure to leave; and(b)the notice to leave was given because of an unremedied breach.
Note—This section applies in the same circumstances as section 337 of the Act.(2)The tribunal must not grant the application to terminate the residential tenancy agreement if—(a)the unremedied breach relates to the rent remaining unpaid in breach of the agreement; and(b)the rent is unpaid because the tenant is or has been suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency.
(3)This section overrides section 337 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and section 337 of the Act.Division 4Rental bonds16Rental bonds and decreases in amount of rent(1)This section applies in relation to the rental bond under a residential tenancy agreement if—(a)before the COVID-19 emergency period, the rental bond was not more than the maximum rental bond for the agreement and was paid in accordance with the Act; and(b)during the COVID-19 emergency period, the rent payable under the agreement decreases.
(2)Section 146 of the Act does not apply to the person who required payment of, or accepted, the rental bond.(3)Section 155(4) of the Act does not apply in relation to the rental bond.Division 5Entry to premises17Restriction on lessor or lessor’s agent entering premises(1)This section applies in relation to the following grounds for entry to premises by a lessor or lessor’s agent mentioned in section 192 of the Act—(a)to inspect the premises (Act, s 192(1)(a)); (b)to make routine repairs to, or carry out maintenance of, the premises (Act, s 192(1)(b)); (c)if repairs or maintenance have been made or carried out under section 192(1)(b) of the Act—within 14 days after the completion of the repairs or maintenance, to inspect the repairs or maintenance (Act, s 192(1)(c)); (d)to show the premises to a prospective buyer or tenant (Act, s 192(1)(f)); (e)to allow a valuation of the premises to be carried out (Act, s 192(1)(g)); (f)if the lessor or agent believes, on reasonable grounds, the premises have been abandoned (Act, s 192(1)(h)); (g)if the lessor or agent has given the tenant a notice to remedy a breach of the agreement that is a significant breach—within 14 days after the end of the allowed remedy period, to inspect to ascertain whether the tenant has remedied the breach (Act, s 192(1)(i)).
(2)The lessor or lessor’s agent must not enter the premises on a ground mentioned in subsection (1) if—(a)a person at the premises is subject to a quarantine direction; or(b)the lessor or agent is subject to a quarantine direction; or(c)the entry would contravene a public health direction; or(d)the tenant refuses entry to the premises because the tenant, or another person staying at the premises, is a vulnerable person.
(3)The lessor’s agent can refuse to enter the premises if the agent reasonably believes the entry would contravene subsection (2).(4)To remove any doubt, it is declared that—(a)the rules of entry continue to apply other than to the extent entry is prohibited under subsection (2); and(b)the tenant may refuse entry to the lessor or the lessor’s agent if the entry would contravene subsection (2); and(c)the following grounds for entry are not affected by this section—(i)to comply with the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990 in relation to smoke alarms (Act, s 192(1)(d)); (ii)to comply with the Electrical Safety Act 2002 in relation to approved safety switches (Act, s 192(1)(e)); (iii)if the tenant agrees (Act, s 192(1)(j)); (iv)in an emergency (Act, s 192(1)(k)); (v)if the lessor or agent believes on reasonable grounds that the entry is necessary to protect the premises or inclusions from imminent or further damage (Act, s 192(1)(l)).
(5)This section overrides section 195 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and section 195 of the Act.(6)In this section—significant breach see section 192(2) of the Act.18Alternative arrangements for inspections(1)This section applies if—(a)a lessor or lessor’s agent seeks to enter the premises to carry out an inspection under section 192(1)(a) or (f) of the Act; and(b)the tenant refuses entry to the premises because the tenant, or another person staying at the premises, is a vulnerable person.Note—The lessor or agent must not enter the premises—see section 17.
(2)The tenant must allow the lessor or agent to carry out the inspection by—(a)a virtual inspection; or(b)video conferencing with the lessor or agent; or(c)the tenant giving the lessor or agent access to photographs or video of the premises and its inclusions of sufficient visual quality to enable the lessor or agent to judge the condition of the premises and inclusions.
(3)No costs are payable by the tenant for allowing an inspection under subsection (2).(4)In this section—virtual inspection means an electronic means of conducting a visual inspection of a premises and its inclusions.Division 6Repairs and maintenance19Release from particular obligations of lessors—routine repairs and maintenance(1)This section applies to a lessor’s obligations under section 185, 186 or 187 of the Act.(2)If the obligation is inconsistent with a public health direction or social distancing, the lessor is released from the obligation to the extent of the inconsistency.(3)If compliance with the obligation requires the lessor to enter the premises and the lessor is unable to enter the premises under section 17, the lessor is released from the obligation while the lessor is unable to enter the premises.(4)Subsection (5) applies if—(a)the lessor must make repairs or carry out maintenance to the premises to comply with the obligation; and(b)either of the following is not available to the lessor—(i)a tradesperson or other person needed to make the repairs or carry out the maintenance;(ii)supplies needed to make the repairs or carry out the maintenance.
(5)The lessor is released from the obligation until the tradesperson or supplies become available to the lessor.(6)However, this section does not release the lessor from an obligation to make emergency repairs.(7)A notice to remedy breach is of no effect if the notice relates to an obligation from which the lessor is released under this section.(8)This section overrides sections 185, 186 and 187 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and those sections of the Act.20Notice to remedy lessor’s breach—routine repairs and maintenance(1)Subsection (2) applies if—(a)a tenant gives a lessor a notice to remedy breach; and(b)the breach relates to an obligation from which the lessor is released under section 19(2).
(2)The allowed remedy period for the notice is extended until whichever of the following happens first—(a)the day the obligation stops being inconsistent with a public health direction or social distancing;(b)the day the COVID-19 emergency period ends.
(3)Subsection (4) applies if—(a)the tenant gives the lessor a notice to remedy breach; and(b)the breach relates to an obligation from which the lessor is released under section 19(5).
(4)The allowed remedy period for the notice is extended until whichever of the following happens first—(a)the day the necessary tradesperson or supplies become available;(b)the day the COVID-19 emergency period ends.
(5)This section overrides sections 325 and 328 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and those sections of the Act.Division 7Domestic violenceSubdivision 1Leaving premises21Right to leaveIf a tenant believes he or she can no longer safely continue to occupy premises because of domestic violence committed against the tenant, the tenant may end the tenant’s interest in the residential tenancy agreement by giving the lessor a notice that complies with section 22.22Notice ending tenancy(1)The tenant’s notice exercising the right to end the tenant’s interest in the residential tenancy agreement under section 21 must—(a)be in the approved form; and(b)be given to the lessor; and(c)be supported by the evidence mentioned in section 27.
(2)The notice is supported by evidence if—(a)a copy of the evidence is included with the notice when given to the lessor; or(b)the tenant allows the lessor or lessor’s agent to inspect the evidence.
(3)A notice that complies with this section is a notice ending tenancy.23Lessor’s response to notice ending tenancy(1)This section applies if the tenant gives a notice ending tenancy to the lessor.(2)The lessor must inform the tenant of each of the following matters—(a)whether the lessor intends to apply to the tribunal to have the notice set aside because it does not comply with section 22;(b)if there are other tenants for the residential tenancy agreement—(i)that the other tenants will be informed the tenant is vacating the premises; and(ii)when the other tenants will be informed the tenant is vacating the premises; and(iii)that the agreement continues for other tenants.
24Effect of notice ending tenancy if sole tenant(1)This section applies if—(a)the tenant gives a notice ending tenancy to the lessor; and(b)the tenant is the sole tenant for the residential tenancy agreement.
(2)The agreement ends on the later of the following days—(a)the day that is 7 days after the notice is given to the lessor;(b)the day the tenant hands over vacant possession of the premises.
25Effect of notice ending tenancy if more than 1 tenant(1)This section applies if—(a)the tenant (the vacating tenant) gives a notice ending tenancy to the lessor; and(b)the tenant is not the sole tenant for the residential tenancy agreement.
(2)The vacating tenant’s interest in the agreement ends on the later of the following days—(a)the day that is 7 days after the notice is given to the lessor;(b)the day the tenant vacates the premises.
(3)Seven days after the day the vacating tenant’s interest in the agreement ends under subsection (2), the lessor must give each remaining tenant for the agreement a written notice informing the tenant that—(a)the vacating tenant’s interest in the agreement has ended; and(b)the agreement continues for the remaining tenant; and(c)the remaining tenants must top-up the rental bond under section 28 and the day (the stated day) by which the top-up must be made.
(4)The stated day must not be less than 1 month after the remaining tenants are given the notice under subsection (3).26Payment of rental bond(1)This section applies if—(a)a residential tenancy agreement is terminated, or a tenant’s interest in an agreement ends, under this subdivision; and(b)the tenant applies to the authority for payment of a rental bond under section 125 of the Act.
(2)The notice ending tenancy is taken to be a notice of intention to leave.(3)The handover day for the notice is taken to be the day the agreement is terminated or the tenant’s interest in the agreement ends.(4)Sections 327, 331 and 332 of the Act do not apply for the notice.27Supporting evidence for notice ending tenancyThe supporting evidence for a notice ending tenancy is—(a)any of the following under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012—(i)a protection order;(ii)a temporary protection order;(iii)a police protection notice;(iv)an interstate order; or
(b)an injunction for personal protection under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cwlth), section 68B(1)(a) or (b) or section 114(1)(a); or(c)a report, in the approved form, about domestic violence signed by any of the following entities—(i)a doctor;(ii)a social worker;(iii)a refuge or crisis worker;(iv)a domestic and family violence support worker or case manager;(v)an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical service;(vi)a solicitor.
28Top-ups to rental bond(1)This section applies if—(a)the amount held by the authority for the rental bond for a residential tenancy agreement is less than the amount of the rental bond required under the agreement; and(b)the shortfall mentioned in paragraph (a) is because a tenant’s interest in the agreement has ended under section 25(2).
(2)The remaining tenants must top-up the rental bond for the agreement if given a written notice complying with section 25(3) and (4).(3)The remaining tenants top-up the rental bond by paying an amount to the authority that is sufficient to restore the rental bond to the amount required under the agreement.29Reletting costs not recoverable(1)This section applies if a residential tenancy agreement is terminated under section 24(2).(2)Despite any term of the agreement to the contrary, the tenant is not liable for costs incurred by the lessor in reletting the premises.30Application to tribunal about notice ending tenancy(1)This section applies if a tenant gives, or purports to give, the lessor a notice ending tenancy.(2)The lessor may, within 7 days of receiving the notice, apply to the tribunal for an order setting aside the notice because it does not comply with section 22.(3)An application made under subsection (2) is taken to be an urgent application for the Act.(4)The tribunal may make the order only if satisfied the notice does not comply with section 22.(5)In deciding whether to make the order, the tribunal—(a)must have regard to whether or not the evidence supporting the notice is evidence mentioned in section 27; but(b)can not examine—(i)whether or not the tenant experienced domestic violence; or(ii)the tenant’s belief as to whether or not the tenant can safely continue to occupy the premises.
(6)This section overrides section 415 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and section 415 of the Act.31Confidentiality(1)This section applies to any of the following persons who have had access to evidence supporting a notice ending tenancy—(a)a lessor;(b)a lessor’s agent;(c)a person (an employee) who has access to the evidence in the course of the person’s employment.
(2)The person must not disclose the evidence to any other person other than in the following circumstances—(a)a lessor disclosing the evidence to the lessor’s agent;(b)a lessor’s agent disclosing the evidence to the lessor;(c)an employee of a lessor’s agent disclosing the evidence to the agent;(d)a lessor or lessor’s agent disclosing the evidence to the tribunal.
Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.Subdivision 2Other matters32Tenant’s obligations generally(1)The obligations of a tenant under section 188 of the Act do not apply to the extent the obligations would have the effect of requiring the tenant to repair, or compensate the lessor for, damage to the premises or its inclusions caused by domestic violence experienced by the tenant.(2)This section overrides section 188 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and section 188 of the Act.33Changing locks(1)A tenant may change a lock at the premises if the tenant—(a)believes it is necessary to protect the tenant or an occupant from domestic violence; and(b)engages a qualified tradesperson or locksmith to change the lock.
(2)If the tenant changes a lock under subsection (1), the tenant must give the lessor a key for the changed lock, unless the lessor agrees to not being given the key.(3)Despite subsection (1), the right of the tenant to change a lock is subject to any body corporate by-laws applying to the premises.(4)If the tenant changes a lock under subsection (1), the lessor must not, without a reasonable excuse, give a key to the changed lock to any person, other than the lessor’s agent, without the tenant’s agreement.Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.(5)This section overrides section 211 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and section 211 of the Act.(6)In this section—body corporate by-laws means a by-law under the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 or Building Units and Group Titles Act 1980.34Application for termination for domestic violence(1)A tenant may apply to the tribunal for a termination order because of domestic violence committed against the tenant.(2)A tenant may apply to the tribunal for an order ending the tenant’s interest in a residential tenancy agreement because of domestic violence committed against the tenant by another tenant.(3)An application made under subsection (1) or (2) is taken to be an urgent application for the Act.(4)If the tenant applies to the tribunal for an order mentioned in subsection (1) or (2), the tribunal may make the order if satisfied—(a)the tenant has established the grounds for making the application; and(b)the domestic violence, that has happened or is likely to happen, justifies terminating the agreement or ending the tenant’s interest in the agreement.
(5)In deciding the application, the tribunal must have regard to the following—(a)the evidence of the domestic violence;(b)the adverse effects the domestic violence has had or will have on the tenant or another person.
(6)Also, the tribunal may have regard to anything else the tribunal considers relevant.(7)This section overrides section 415 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and section 415 of the Act.Division 8Ending of agreementsSubdivision 1Notices to leave premises given by lessor35Notice to leave if premises being sold(1)A lessor may give a notice to leave the premises to a tenant because—(a)the lessor is preparing to sell the premises and the preparation requires the premises to be vacant; or(b)the lessor has entered into a contract to sell the premises with vacant possession.
(2)A notice to leave under this section is called a notice to leave if premises being sold.(3)A notice to leave if premises being sold must be accompanied by the evidence required by the approved form for the notice.(4)Section 326 of the Act applies to a notice to leave if premises being sold.Note—Section 326 of the Act provides administrative requirements for a notice to leave.(5)The handover day for a notice to leave if premises being sold—(a)must not be earlier than 2 months after the notice is given to the tenant; and(b)for fixed term agreement—may be earlier than the day the term of the agreement ends.
(6)This section overrides sections 286, 329 and 330 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and those sections of the Act.36Notice to leave for State government program(1)A lessor may give a notice to leave the premises to a tenant if the premises are required for use under a program administered by the State under an Act.(2)A notice to leave under this section is called a notice to leave for State government program.(3)Section 326 of the Act applies to a notice to leave for State government program.Note—Section 326 of the Act provides administrative requirements for a notice to leave.(4)The handover day for a notice to leave for State government program must not be earlier than 2 months after the notice is given to the tenant.37Notice to leave for owner occupation(1)A lessor may give a notice to leave the premises to a tenant if the lessor, or a member of the lessor’s immediate family, needs to occupy the premises.(2)A notice to leave under this section is called a notice to leave for owner occupation.(3)Section 326 of the Act applies to a notice to leave for owner occupation.Note—Section 326 of the Act provides administrative requirements for a notice to leave.(4)The handover day for a notice to leave for owner occupation must not be earlier than 2 months after the notice is given to the tenant.(5)In this section—immediate family, of a lessor, means—(a)the spouse of the lessor; or(b)a child of the lessor; or(c)a parent of the lessor; or(d)another person who normally lives with the lessor and is financially dependent on the lessor.
38Notice to leave without ground(1)A lessor must not give a notice to leave without grounds if a tenant is or has been suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency.(2)A notice to leave without grounds given in contravention of subsection (1) is of no effect until the end of the COVID-19 emergency period.(3)This section overrides section 291 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and section 291 of the Act.39Failure to leave(1)The lessor may apply to a tribunal for a termination order because—(a)the lessor gave a notice to leave the premises to the tenant under this subdivision; and(b)the tenant failed to hand over vacant possession of the premises to the lessor on the handover day for the notice.
(2)An application made under subsection (1)—(a)must be made within 2 weeks after the handover day for the notice; and(b)is taken to be an urgent application for the Act.
(3)The tribunal may make the order if it is satisfied the lessor has established the ground of the application and notice to leave.(4)This section overrides section 415 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and section 415 of the Act.40Misuse of notice to leave(1)This section applies if a residential tenancy agreement ends because the lessor gives the tenant—(a)a notice to leave if premises being sold; or(b)a notice to leave for owner occupation.
(2)Unless the lessor has a reasonable excuse, the lessor—(a)must not include information in the notice to leave that is false or misleading in a material particular; or(b)must not let the premises to a person under another agreement.
Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.(3)In this section—owner occupation see section 37(2).premises being sold see section 35(2).Subdivision 2Notices of intention to leave premises given by tenant41Notice of intention to leave because of condition of premises(1)Within 7 days after a tenant first occupies the premises under a residential tenancy agreement, the tenant may give a notice of intention to leave the premises to the lessor because—(a)the premises are not in good repair; or(b)the premises are unfit to live in; or(c)the premises do not comply with a prescribed minimum housing standard.
(2)However, the tenant must not give a notice to leave under subsection (1)(a) if the condition of the premises was caused by a breach of a term of the agreement by the tenant.(3)A notice of intention to leave under this section is called a notice of intention to leave for condition of premises.(4)Section 327 of the Act applies to a notice of intention to leave for condition of premises.Note—Section 327 of the Act provides administrative requirements for a notice of intention to leave.(5)The handover day for a notice of intention to leave for condition of premises must not be earlier than the day the notice is given to the lessor.Division 9Termination for excessive hardship42Termination of residential tenancy agreement for excessive hardship(1)This section applies to a tenant suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency.(2)Despite section 310 of the Act, the tenant may not apply to the tribunal for a termination order under that section unless—(a)the tenant has made a dispute resolution request to the authority; and(b)the parties to the residential tenancy agreement are unable to reach a conciliation agreement as a result of the dispute resolution request.
(3)If, after complying with subsection (2)(a) and (b), the tenant applies to the tribunal for a termination order under section 310 of the Act, the tribunal may make the order only if satisfied the tenant has established the ground of the application, including, for example, because the tenant is or has been suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency.(4)This section overrides sections 310 and 343 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and those sections of the Act.Division 10Compensation43Reletting costs(1)A residential tenancy agreement may include a term requiring the tenant to pay the reasonable costs incurred by the lessor in reletting the premises (reletting costs) only if— (a)the agreement is for a fixed term; and(b)the tenant is made liable under the term only if the tenant terminates the agreement other than in a way permitted under this Act; and(c)the only reference in the term to the amount payable by the tenant is a reference to the reasonable costs incurred by the lessor in reletting the premises.
Editor’s note—Reletting costs are often referred to as break lease fees.(2)However, a term of a residential tenancy agreement requiring the tenant to pay reletting costs is void if the agreement ends because of—(a)a termination order; or(b)a notice ending tenancy; or(c)a notice of intention to leave under section 41.
(3)This section overrides section 173 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and section 173 of the Act.44Limits on reletting costs(1)This section applies if—(a)a residential tenancy agreement is a fixed term agreement; and(b)the tenant terminates the agreement other than in a way permitted under the Act; and(c)a term of the agreement provides that the tenant is liable to pay the reasonable costs incurred by the lessor in reletting the premises if the tenant terminates the agreement other than in a way permitted under the Act.
(2)If there is only 1 tenant for the agreement, the amount the tenant is liable to pay is limited to an amount equivalent to 1 week’s rent under the agreement if—(a)the tenant suffers a loss of income of 75% or more; and(b)the tenant has less than $5,000 in savings, whether held as cash or in a bank account.
(3)If there is more than 1 tenant for the agreement, the amount the tenants are collectively liable to pay is limited to an amount equivalent to 1 week’s rent under the agreement if—(a)there has been a 75% or more reduction in the combined total income of all of the tenants; and(b)the combined savings of all of the tenants is less than $5,000, whether held as cash or in a bank account.
(4)This section—(a)overrides section 43 to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and section 43; and(b)overrides section 173 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and section 173 of the Act.
Division 11Dispute resolution45Particular applications for termination orders(1)An application for a termination order made because a tenant is suffering excessive hardship relating to the COVID-19 emergency is not an urgent application.Note—If a tenant applies to the tribunal under the Act about a tenancy dispute and the application is not an urgent application, the tenant must first make a dispute resolution request to the authority.(2)This section overrides section 415 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and section 415 of the Act.Division 12Tenancy databases46Restriction on listing on tenancy database(1)This section applies to personal information relating to—(a)a failure to pay rent as required under a residential tenancy agreement; or(b)ending a residential tenancy agreement.
(2)A person (a user) must not list personal information about another person in a tenancy database if the failure to pay rent, or the ending of the agreement, happened during the COVID-19 emergency period and was because of the other person—(a)suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency; or(b)complying with a public health direction.
Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.(3)However, subsection (2)(a) does not apply if—(a)the user was the lessor or lessor’s agent under the residential tenancy agreement when the failure happened; and(b)the other person did not inform the user that the failure to pay the rent, or the ending of the agreement, was because of a circumstance mentioned in subsection (2)(a) or (b).
(4)This section applies in addition to the restrictions on listing personal information in a tenancy database under section 459 of the Act.(5)In this section—list see section 457 of the Act.personal information see section 457 of the Act.tenancy database see section 457 of the Act.Part 3Rooming accommodationDivision 1Moratorium on evictions47Moratorium on evictions(1)Until the end of the relevant period, a provider or provider’s agent must not evict a resident for failure to pay rent as required under the rooming accommodation agreement if the failure relates to the resident suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency.Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.(2)Subsection (1) does not prevent a provider from ending a rooming accommodation agreement under the Act—(a)for any reason other than a failure to pay rent as required under the agreement; or(b)for a failure to pay rent as required under the agreement if the failure was not related to the resident suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency; or(c)as a consequence of having given a notice to leave, or applying to the tribunal for an order terminating the agreement, before 29 March 2020.
(3)In this section—evict, a resident, means—(a)give the resident a notice to leave in relation to the rental premises; or(b)apply to the tribunal for an order terminating the rooming accommodation agreement; or(c)cause the resident to vacate the rental premises by any of the following actions—(i)coercing the resident into agreeing to end the rooming accommodation agreement under section 366(2) of the Act;(ii)preventing the resident from freely accessing the resident’s room, including, for example, by changing the locks or intimidating the resident;(iii)causing the resident to vacate the rental premises because of false or misleading information given to the resident by the provider or another person on behalf of the provider;(iv)causing the resident to vacate the rental premises because of acts of intimidation carried out by the provider or another person on behalf of the provider.
notice to leave means a notice given by a provider to a resident under section 369, 370, 371, 372 or 374 of the Act.relevant period means the period starting on 29 March 2020 and ending on the earlier of the following days—(a)29 September 2020;(b)the last day of the COVID-19 emergency period.
Division 2Extending rooming accommodation agreements48Extension of fixed term agreements(1)This section applies to a rooming accommodation agreement if, under the agreement, accommodation is provided to the resident for a fixed term ending on or before 29 September 2020, unless—(a)the agreement ended before the commencement of this section; or(b)any of the following happened before the commencement of this section—(i)the provider gave the resident a notice requiring the resident to leave the rental premises under section 369, 370, 371 or 374 of the Act;(ii)the provider gave the resident a notice terminating the agreement under section 372 of the Act;(iii)the resident gave the provider a notice terminating the agreement under section 379, 380 or 381 of the Act;(iv)a party to the agreement applied to the tribunal for a termination order.
(2)However, this section applies to an agreement mentioned in subsection (1)(b) if—(a)the notice mentioned in subsection (1)(b)(i), (ii) or (iii) is invalid; or(b)the application mentioned in subsection (1)(b)(iv) is rejected.
(3)If the resident is suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency, the provider must, before the term of the agreement ends, offer the resident an extension of the term to 30 September 2020 or an earlier date requested by the resident.Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.(4)On its extension under subsection (3), the rooming accommodation agreement continues on the same terms.(5)No costs are payable by the resident for the extension of a rooming accommodation agreement under subsection (3).(6)To remove any doubt, it is declared that the extension of the rooming accommodation agreement under subsection (3) does not prevent the agreement ending under section 366 of the Act, subject to the limitations under this regulation.(7)This section overrides sections 366 and 381(2) of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and those sections of the Act.Division 3Rent49Unpaid rent—show cause notice(1)This section applies if—(a)the rent payable under the rooming accommodation agreement has remained unpaid in breach of the agreement; and(b)the provider knows, or ought reasonably to know, the resident is or has been suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency.
(2)The provider must not give the resident a notice to remedy breach under section 368 of the Act but may give the resident a show cause notice for the unpaid rent. (3)If the resident is given a show cause notice for the unpaid rent, the resident must do either of the following within 14 days after being given the notice— (a)pay the unpaid rent;(b)inform the provider the rent is unpaid because the resident is or has been suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency.
(4)Despite subsection (2), if the resident does not comply with subsection (3), the provider may give the resident a notice to remedy breach under section 368 of the Act for the unpaid rent.(5)If—(a)the resident does not pay the unpaid rent within 14 days after being given the show cause notice; and(b)the resident informs the provider under subsection (3)(b) that the rent is unpaid because the resident is or has been suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency;
the provider may request that the resident enter into a residency variation agreement with the provider.(6)This section overrides section 368 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and section 368 of the Act.(7)In this section—show cause notice, for unpaid rent by a resident, means a notice, in the approved form, stating all of the following—(a)the resident has not paid rent as required by the agreement;(b)the amount of the unpaid rent;(c)that the resident must respond to the notice, or pay the amount of unpaid rent, within 14 days of receiving the notice;(d)that, in responding to the notice, the resident must state whether or not the rent is unpaid because the resident is or has been suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency.
50Conciliation of dispute about unpaid rent(1)This section applies if—(a)a provider has requested, under section 49(5), that a resident enter into a residency variation agreement with the provider; and(b)the provider and resident are unable to agree to a residency variation agreement.
(2)Either party may make a dispute resolution request in relation to a rooming accommodation dispute related to the unpaid rent.Note—See section 402 of the Act about making a dispute resolution request.(3)If the rooming accommodation dispute is not resolved through conciliation under chapter 6, part 1 of the Act, either party may apply to the tribunal for an order about the unpaid rent.(4)On an application under subsection (3), the tribunal may make an order it considers appropriate about the unpaid rent.Note—See also the powers of the tribunal under section 420 of the Act.51Residency variation agreements(1)A resident and provider may enter into an agreement for a rent reduction for a stated period or a payment plan for unpaid rent (each a residency variation agreement).(2)The residency variation agreement must be in the approved form and be signed by the resident and provider.(3)Section 53 of the Act does not apply to the residency variation agreement.(4)To remove any doubt, it is declared that the provider and resident may enter into a residency variation agreement at any time.52Rent decreases(1)This section applies if—(a)the resident and provider enter into a residency variation agreement; and(b)the rent required under the rooming accommodation agreement is reduced under the residency variation agreement.
(2)Section 105 of the Act does not apply to an increase in rent at the end of the term of the residency variation agreement.(3)However, subsection (2) does not apply if the rent, as increased at the end of the term of the residency variation agreement, is more than the rent that was required under the rooming accommodation agreement immediately before the residency variation agreement started.53Failure to leave for unremedied breach relating to unpaid rent(1)This section applies if—(a)an application is made to the tribunal for a termination order because of a failure to leave; and(b)the notice to leave was given because of an unremedied breach.
Note—This section applies in the same circumstances as section 337 of the Act.(2)The tribunal must not grant the application to terminate the rooming accommodation agreement if—(a)the unremedied breach relates to the rent remaining unpaid in breach of the agreement; and(b)the rent is unpaid because the resident is or has been suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency.
(3)This section overrides section 337 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and section 337 of the Act.Division 4Rental bonds54Rental bonds and decreases in amount of rent(1)This section applies in relation to the rental bond under a rooming accommodation agreement if—(a)before the COVID-19 emergency period, the rental bond was not more than the maximum rental bond for the agreement and was paid as required under the Act; and(b)during the COVID-19 emergency period, the rent payable under the agreement decreases.
(2)Section 146 of the Act does not apply to the person who required payment of, or accepted, the rental bond.(3)Section 155(4) of the Act does not apply in relation to the rental bond.Division 5Entry to resident’s room55Restriction on provider or provider’s agent entering resident’s room(1)This section applies in relation to the following grounds for entry to a resident’s room by a provider or provider’s agent—(a)to carry out an inspection (Act, s 258);(b)to enter for any of the following reasons (Act, s 259)—(i)to clean the room;(ii)to carry out pest control in the room;(iii)to make routine repairs to, or carry out maintenance of, the room or another part of the rental premises;(iv)to show the room to a prospective buyer or resident;(v)to allow a valuation of the rental premises to be carried out.
(2)The provider or provider’s agent must not enter the resident’s room on a ground mentioned in subsection (1) if—(a)a person in the room is subject to a quarantine direction; or(b)the provider or agent is subject to a quarantine direction; or(c)the entry would contravene a public health direction; or(d)the resident refuses entry to the room because the resident, or another person staying in the room, is a vulnerable person.
(3)The provider’s agent can refuse to enter the resident’s room if the agent reasonably believes the entry would contravene subsection (2).(4)To remove any doubt, it is declared that—(a)the rules of entry continue to apply other than to the extent entry is prohibited under subsection (2); and(b)the resident may refuse entry to the provider or the provider’s agent if the entry would contravene subsection (2); and(c)the following grounds for entry are not affected by this section—(i)if the resident agrees (Act, s 257);(ii)in an emergency (Act, s 260);(iii)if the provider reasonably believes the room has been abandoned (Act, s 260);(iv)to carry out urgent repairs to the rental premises or a facility in the rental premises (Act, s 260).
(5)This section overrides sections 258 and 259 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and those sections of the Act.56Alternative arrangements for inspections(1)This section applies if—(a)a provider or provider’s agent seeks to enter a resident’s room to carry out an inspection under section 258 of the Act; and(b)the resident refuses entry to the resident’s room because the resident, or another person staying in the room, is a vulnerable person.Note—The provider or agent must not enter the premises—see section 55.
(2)The resident must allow the inspection to be carried out by—(a)a virtual inspection; or(b)video conferencing with the provider or agent; or(c)the resident giving the provider or agent access to photographs or video of the resident’s room and its inclusions of sufficient visual quality to enable the provider or agent to judge the condition of the room and its inclusions.
(3)No costs are payable by the resident for allowing an inspection under subsection (2).(4)In this section—virtual inspection means an electronic means of conducting a visual inspection of a resident’s room and its inclusions.Division 6Repairs and maintenance57Release from particular obligations of providers—routine repairs and maintenance(1)This section applies to a provider’s obligations under section 247 of the Act.(2)If the obligation is inconsistent with a public health direction or social distancing, the provider is released from the obligation to the extent of the inconsistency.(3)If compliance with the obligation requires the provider to enter a resident’s room and the provider is unable to enter the room under section 55, the provider is released from the obligation while the provider is unable to enter the room.(4)Subsection (5) applies if—(a)the provider must make repairs or carry out maintenance to the resident’s room to comply with the obligation; and(b)either of the following is not available to the provider—(i)a tradesperson or other person needed to make the repairs or carry out the maintenance;(ii)supplies needed to make the repairs or carry out the maintenance.
(5)The provider is released from the obligation until the tradesperson or supplies become available to the provider.(6)However, this section does not release the provider from an obligation to make emergency repairs.(7)A notice to remedy breach is of no effect if the notice relates to an obligation from which the provider is released under this section.(8)An emergency repair for a rental premises has the meaning given under section 214 of the Act as if—(a)a reference in the section to premises included a reference to the resident’s room; and(b)a reference in the section to a tenant included a reference to the resident.
(9)This section overrides section 247 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and section 247 of the Act.58Notice to remedy provider’s breach—routine repairs and maintenance(1)Subsection (2) applies if—(a)a resident gives a provider a notice to remedy breach; and(b)the breach relates to an obligation from which the provider is released under section 57(2).
(2)The allowed remedy period for the notice is extended until whichever of the following happens first—(a)the day the obligation stops being inconsistent with a public health direction or social distancing;(b)the day the COVID-19 emergency period ends.
(3)Subsection (4) applies if—(a)the resident gives the provider a notice to remedy breach; and(b)the breach relates to an obligation from which the provider is released under section 57(5).
(4)The allowed remedy period for the notice is extended until whichever of the following happens first—(a)the day the necessary tradesperson or supplies become available;(b)the day the COVID-19 emergency period ends.
(5)This section overrides sections 325 and 328 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and those sections of the Act.Division 7Domestic violenceSubdivision 1Leaving rental premises59Right to leaveIf a resident believes he or she can no longer safely continue to occupy rental premises because of domestic violence committed against the resident, the resident may end the resident’s interest in the rooming accommodation agreement by giving the provider a notice that complies with section 60.60Notice ending residency(1)The resident’s notice exercising the right to end the resident’s interest in the rooming accommodation agreement under section 59 must—(a)be in the approved form; and(b)be given to the provider; and(c)be supported by the evidence mentioned in section 65.
(2)The notice is supported by evidence if—(a)a copy of the evidence is included with the notice when given to the provider; or(b)the resident allows the provider or provider’s agent to inspect the evidence.
(3)A notice that complies with this section is a notice ending residency.61Provider’s response to notice ending residency(1)This section applies if the resident gives a notice ending residency to the provider.(2)The provider must inform the resident of each of the following matters—(a)whether the provider intends to apply to the tribunal to have the notice set aside because it does not comply with section 60;(b)if there are coresidents for the rooming accommodation agreement—(i)that the coresidents will be informed the resident is vacating the rental premises; and(ii)when the coresidents will be informed the resident is vacating the rental premises; and(iii)that the agreement continues for the coresidents.
62Effect of notice ending residency if sole resident(1)This section applies if—(a)the resident gives a notice ending residency to the provider; and(b)the resident is the sole resident for the rooming accommodation agreement.
(2)The agreement ends on the later of the following days—(a)the day that is 7 days after the notice is given to the provider;(b)the day the resident vacates the rental premises.
63Effect of notice ending residency if coresidents(1)This section applies if—(a)the resident (the vacating resident) gives a notice ending residency to the provider; and(b)the resident is not the sole resident for the rooming accommodation agreement.
(2)The resident’s interest in the agreement ends on the later of the following days—(a)the day that is 7 days after the notice is given to the provider;(b)the day the resident vacates the rental premises.
(3)Seven days after the day the vacating resident’s interest in the agreement ends under subsection (2), the provider must give each remaining coresident for the agreement a written notice informing the coresident that—(a)the vacating resident’s interest in the agreement has ended; and(b)the agreement continues for the coresidents; and(c)the remaining coresidents must top-up the rental bond under section 66 and the day (the stated day) by which the top-up must be made.
(4)The stated day must not be less than 1 month after all remaining coresidents are given the notice under subsection (3).64Payment of rental bond(1)This section applies if—(a)a rooming accommodation agreement is terminated, or a resident’s interest in an agreement ends, under this subdivision; and(b)the resident applies to the authority for payment of a rental bond under section 125 of the Act.
(2)The notice ending residency is taken to be a notice terminating the agreement.(3)The stated day for the notice is taken to be the day the agreement is terminated or the resident’s interest in the agreement ends.65Supporting evidence for notice ending residencyThe supporting evidence for a notice ending residency is—(a)any of the following under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012—(i)a protection order;(ii)a temporary protection order;(iii)a police protection notice;(iv)an interstate order; or
(b)an injunction for personal protection under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cwlth), section 68B(1)(a) or (b) or section 114(1)(a); or(c)a report, in the approved form, about domestic violence signed by any of the following entities—(i)a doctor;(ii)a social worker;(iii)a refuge or crisis worker;(iv)a domestic and family violence support worker or case manager;(v)an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical service;(vi)a solicitor.
66Top-ups to rental bond(1)This section applies if—(a)the amount held by the authority for the rental bond for a rooming accommodation agreement is less than the amount of the rental bond required under the agreement; and(b)the shortfall mentioned in paragraph (a) is because a resident’s interest in the agreement has ended under section 63(2).
(2)The remaining coresidents must top-up the rental bond for the agreement if given a written notice complying with section 63(3) and (4).(3)The remaining coresidents top-up the rental bond by paying an amount to the authority that is sufficient to restore the rental bond to the amount required under the agreement.67Reletting costs not recoverable(1)This section applies if a rooming accommodation agreement is terminated under section 62(2).(2)Despite any term of the agreement to the contrary, the resident is not liable for costs incurred by the provider in reletting the rental premises.68Application to tribunal about notice ending residency(1)This section applies if a resident gives, or purports to give, the provider a notice ending residency.(2)The provider may, within 7 days of receiving the notice, apply to the tribunal for an order setting aside the notice because it does not comply with section 60.(3)An application made under subsection (2) is taken to be an urgent application for the Act.(4)The tribunal may make the order only if satisfied the notice does not comply with section 60.(5)In deciding whether to make the order, the tribunal—(a)must have regard to whether or not the evidence supporting the notice is evidence mentioned in section 64; but(b)can not examine—(i)whether or not the resident experienced domestic violence; or(ii)the resident’s belief as to whether or not the resident can safely continue to occupy the rental premises.
(6)This section overrides section 415 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and section 415 of the Act.69Confidentiality(1)This section applies to any of the following persons who have had access to evidence supporting a notice ending residency—(a)a provider;(b)a provider’s agent;(c)a person (an employee) who has access to the evidence in the course of the person’s employment.
(2)The person must not disclose the evidence to any other person other than in the following circumstances—(a)a provider disclosing the evidence to the provider’s agent;(b)a provider’s agent disclosing the evidence to the provider;(c)an employee of the provider’s agent disclosing the evidence to the agent;(d)a provider or provider’s agent disclosing the evidence to the tribunal.
Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.Subdivision 2Other matters70Resident’s obligations generally(1)The obligations of the resident under section 253 of the Act do not apply to the extent the obligations would have the effect of requiring the resident to repair, or compensate the provider for, damage to the rental premises or its inclusions caused by domestic violence experienced by the resident.(2)This section overrides section 253 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and section 253 of the Act.71Changing locks(1)A provider must change or repair the lock that secures entry to a resident’s room if the resident believes it is necessary to protect the resident from domestic violence.(2)This section overrides section 251 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and section 251 of the Act.72Application for termination for domestic violence(1)A resident may apply to the tribunal for a termination order because of domestic violence committed against the resident.(2)A resident may apply to the tribunal for an order ending the resident’s interest in a rooming accommodation agreement because of domestic violence committed against the resident by another resident.(3)An application made under subsection (1) or (2) is taken to be an urgent application for the Act.(4)If the resident applies to the tribunal for an order mentioned in subsection (1) or (2), the tribunal may make the order if satisfied—(a)the resident has established the grounds for making the application; and(b)the domestic violence, that has happened or is likely to happen, justifies terminating the agreement or ending the resident’s interest in the agreement.
(5)In deciding the application, the tribunal must have regard to the following—(a)the evidence of the domestic violence;(b)the adverse effects the domestic violence has had or will have on the resident or another person.
(6)Also, the tribunal may have regard to anything else the tribunal considers relevant.(7)This section overrides section 415 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and section 415 of the Act.Division 8Ending of agreementsSubdivision 1Notices to leave premises given by provider73Notice to leave if rental premises being sold(1)A provider may give to a resident a notice requiring the resident to leave the rental premises if—(a)the provider is preparing to sell the premises and the preparation requires the rental premises to be vacant; or(b)the provider has entered into a contract to sell the rental premises with vacant possession.
(2)The notice must—(a)be in the approved form; and(b)state why the resident is being required to leave the rental premises; and(c)state the day by which the resident is required to leave the rental premises; and(d)be accompanied by the evidence required by the approved form for the notice; and(e)be signed by the provider.
(3)The day by which the resident is required to leave the rental premises—(a)must not be less than 1 month after the notice is given to the resident; and(b)for a fixed term agreement—may be earlier than the day the term of the agreement ends.
74Notice to leave without ground(1)A provider must not give the resident a notice under section 372 of the Act if the resident is or has been suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency.(2)A notice given in contravention of subsection (1) is of no effect until the end of the COVID-19 emergency period.(3)This section overrides section 372 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and section 372 of the Act.75Misuse of notice to leave if rental premises being sold(1)This section applies if a rooming accommodation agreement ends because the provider gives the resident a notice requiring the resident to leave the rental premises under section 73.(2)Unless the provider has a reasonable excuse, the provider—(a)must not include information in the notice that is false or misleading in a material particular; or(b)must not let the rental premises to a person under another agreement.
Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.Subdivision 2Notices of intention to leave premises given by resident76Notice terminating agreement because of condition of rental premises(1)Within 7 days after a resident begins to occupy rental premises under a rooming accommodation agreement, the resident may give the provider a notice terminating the agreement if—(a)the rental premises are not in good repair; or(b)the rental premises are unfit to live in; or(c)the rental premises do not comply with a prescribed minimum housing standard.
(2)However, the resident may not end the rooming accommodation agreement under subsection (1)(a) if the condition of the rental premises was caused by a breach of a term of the agreement by the resident.(3)The notice must—(a)be in the approved form; and(b)state why the resident is terminating the agreement; and(c)state the day on which the resident is ending the agreement; and(d)be signed by the resident.
Division 9Termination for excessive hardship77Termination of rooming accommodation agreement for excessive hardship(1)This section applies to a resident suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency.(2)Despite section 383 of the Act, the resident may not apply to the tribunal for a termination order under that section unless—(a)the resident has made a dispute resolution request to the authority; and(b)the parties to the rooming accommodation agreement are unable to reach a conciliation agreement as a result of the dispute resolution request.
(3)If, after complying with subsection (2)(a) and (b), the resident applies to the tribunal for a termination order under section 383 of the Act, the tribunal may make the order only if satisfied the resident has established the ground of the application, including, for example, because the resident is or has been suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency.(4)This section overrides section 383 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and section 383 of the Act.Division 10Compensation78Reletting costs(1)A rooming accommodation agreement may include a term requiring the resident to pay the reasonable costs incurred by the provider in reletting the rental premises (reletting costs) only if— (a)the agreement is for a fixed term; and(b)the resident is made liable under the term only if the resident terminates the agreement other than in a way permitted under the Act; and(c)the only reference in the term to the amount payable by the resident is a reference to the reasonable costs incurred by the provider in reletting the rental premises.
Editor’s note—Reletting costs are often referred to as break lease fees.(2)However, a term of a rooming accommodation agreement requiring the resident to pay reletting costs is void if the agreement ends because of—(a)a termination order; or(b)a notice ending residency; or(c)a notice terminating the agreement under section 75.
79Limits on reletting costs(1)This section applies if—(a)a rooming accommodation agreement is a fixed term agreement; and(b)the resident terminates the agreement other than in a way permitted under the Act; and(c)a term of the agreement provides that the resident is liable to pay the reasonable costs incurred by the provider in reletting the rental premises if the resident terminates the agreement other than in a way permitted under the Act.
(2)If there is only 1 resident for the agreement, the amount the resident is liable to pay is limited to an amount equivalent to 1 week’s rent under the agreement if—(a)the resident suffers a loss of income of 75% or more; and(b)the resident has less than $5,000 in savings, whether held as cash or in a bank account.
(3)If there is more than 1 resident for the agreement, the amount the residents are collectively liable to pay is limited to an amount equivalent to 1 week’s rent under the agreement if—(a)there has been a 75% or more reduction in the combined total income of all of the residents; and(b)the combined savings of all of the residents is less than $5,000, whether held as cash or in a bank account.
(4)This section—(a)overrides section 78 to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and section 78; and(b)overrides section 178 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and section 178 of the Act.
Division 11Dispute resolution80Particular applications for termination orders(1)An application for a termination order made because a resident is suffering excessive hardship relating to the COVID-19 emergency is not an urgent application.Note—If a resident applies to the tribunal under the Act about a residency dispute, and the application is not an urgent application, the resident must first make a dispute resolution request to the authority.(2)This section overrides section 415 of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between this section and section 415 of the Act.Division 12Tenancy databases81Extension of chapter 9 of the Act for rooming accommodation(1)Chapter 9 of the Act, and part 4 of the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Regulation 2009, apply in relation to rooming accommodation agreements as if—(a)a reference in a provision of that chapter or regulation to a residential tenancy agreement included a reference to a rooming accommodation agreement; and(b)a reference in a provision of that chapter or regulation to a tenant included a reference to a resident; and(c)a reference in a provision of that chapter or regulation to a lessor included a reference to a provider; and(d)a reference in a provision of that chapter or regulation to premises included a reference to rental premises.
(2)Part 4 of the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Regulation 2009 applies in relation to rooming accommodation agreements as if—(a)a reference in a provision of that regulation to section 280 of the Act included a reference to section 368 of the Act; and(b)a reference in a provision of that regulation to section 347 of the Act included a reference to section 389 of the Act.
(3)However, sections 17 and 18 of the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Regulation 2009 do not apply in relation to rooming accommodation agreements.(4)This section extends the application of chapter 9 of the Act, and part 4 of the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Regulation 2009, to—(a)residents, providers and provider’s agents; and(b)persons who own or operate a database containing information that—(i)is personal information relating to, or arising from, the occupation of residential premises under a rooming accommodation agreement; or(ii)is used for a purpose relating to a past, current or future occupation of residential premises under a rooming accommodation agreement; and
(c)persons who list personal information about other persons in a tenancy database mentioned in paragraph (b).
(5)In this section—list see section 457 of the Act, as modified under subsection (1).personal information see section 457 of the Act, as modified under subsection (1).tenancy database see section 457 of the Act, as modified under subsection (1).82Restriction on listing on tenancy database(1)This section applies to personal information relating to—(a)a failure to pay rent as required under a rooming accommodation agreement; or(b)ending a rooming accommodation agreement.
(2)A person (a user) must not list personal information about another person in a tenancy database if the failure to pay rent, or the ending of the agreement, happened during the COVID-19 emergency period and was because of the other person—(a)suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency; or(b)complying with a public health direction.
Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.(3)However, subsection (2)(a) does not apply if—(a)the user was the provider or provider’s agent under the rooming accommodation agreement when the failure happened; and(b)the other person did not inform the user that the failure to pay the rent, or the ending of the agreement, was because of a circumstance mentioned in subsection (2)(a) or (b).
(4)This section applies in addition to the restrictions on listing personal information in a tenancy database under section 459 of the Act, as modified under section 81.(5)In this section—list see section 457 of the Act, as modified under section 81.personal information see section 457 of the Act, as modified under section 81.tenancy database see section 457 of the Act, as modified under section 81.Part 4General provisions83Extensions of time to complete particular processes(1)This section applies if—(a)a person—(i)may apply under the Act to the authority or tribunal within a stated period; or(ii)must respond to an action taken by the authority within a stated period; and
(b)the person is unable to make the application, or respond to the action, because of a circumstance mentioned in section 6(2)(a).
(2)The person may apply to the authority for an extension of time to make the application or respond to the action.(3)The application (the extension application) must be made within the stated period in the approved form and be accompanied by the evidence required under the approved form.(4)The authority may grant the extension application if satisfied the person was unable to make the application, or respond to the action, because of a circumstance mentioned in subsection (1)(b).(5)The extension of time granted by the authority may be the period applied for or another period decided by the authority.(6)Whether or not the extension application is granted, the stated period is taken to be extended by the number of days taken to decide the application and give notice of the decision to the applicant.Example—If the person made the extension application on the second day of a 7-day period, and the person is informed on the last day of the period that the application was rejected, the period is taken to be extended by 5 days.(7)This section overrides a provision of the Act to the extent of the inconsistency between that provision and this section.84Additional grounds to be considered by tribunal in deciding applications(1)This section applies to an application made to the tribunal under the Act after the commencement of this section.(2)The tribunal must have regard to the following matters when considering the application, in addition to the matters the tribunal must consider under the Act—(a)the financial and medical effect of the COVID-19 emergency on the applicant and any other party for the application;(b)the likely difficulty the applicant and any other party for the application may have in complying with the tribunal’s decision on the application while also complying with the public health directions that apply to the person.
(3)This section overrides a provision of the Act to the extent of any inconsistency between that provision and this section.(4)In this section—other party, for an application, means—(a)if the application relates to a residential tenancy agreement or rooming accommodation agreement—a person who is a party to the agreement; or(b)it the application is for an order of the tribunal—a person who is to be subject to the order.
85Evidence of suffering excessive hardship because of COVID-19 emergency(1)This section applies if a tenant or resident claims to be, or to have been, suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency.(2)The lessor or provider may require evidence from the tenant or resident to support the claim if the evidence is similar in nature to the information the lessor or provider required from the tenant or resident to enter into the agreement.Examples of evidence supporting claim—a separation certificate from an employer, a confirmation from Centrelink or a medical certificate(3)If the lessor or provider makes a dispute resolution request to the authority for a tenancy dispute or rooming accommodation dispute involving the tenant or resident—(a)the authority may require the tenant or resident to provide additional evidence that the tenant or resident is suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency; and(b)the authority may advise the lessor or provider about whether the authority is satisfied the tenant or resident is or has been suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency.
Note—Information provided during the conciliation process is protected under the Act. See chapter 6, part 1, division 6 of the Act.(4)If—(a)the tenant or resident has informed the lessor or provider that the tenant or resident is suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency; and(b)the tenant’s or resident’s circumstances change with the effect that the tenant or resident is no longer suffering excessive hardship;
the tenant or resident must, as soon as reasonably practicable after the change in circumstances happens, inform the lessor or provider of the tenant’s or resident’s changed circumstances.Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.86False or misleading documents about excessive hardship because of COVID-19 emergency(1)A person must not give the authority, or another person, a document containing information that the person knows is false or misleading in a material particular for the purpose of claiming the person is or has been suffering excessive hardship because of the COVID-19 emergency.Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.(2)However, the person does not commit an offence against subsection (1) if, when giving the document, the person—(a)informs the authority or other person, to the best of the person’s ability, how it is false or misleading; and(b)gives the correct information to the authority or other person, if the person has, or can reasonably obtain, the correct information.
87Summary offencesDespite section 510(2) of the Act, a proceeding for an offence against this regulation may be started within 2 years after the commission of the offence.88Minister may make guidelinesThe Minister may make guidelines, consistent with the Act and this regulation, to provide guidance to persons about the application of this regulation to the rights and obligations of lessors, providers, tenants and residents under the Act as it is modified by this regulation.89Transitional provision—offences against moratorium provisions(1)A person can not be prosecuted under section 8 or 47 for an act or omission done or omitted to be done before the day this regulation is notified if the act or omission would not have constituted an offence but for section 8 or 47.(2)Subsection (1) does not limit the Criminal Code, section 11.Schedule 1Dictionarysection 5COVID-19 emergency see the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020, schedule 1.COVID-19 emergency period see the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020, schedule 1.income, of a person, means the net weekly income of the person, including, for example, any financial assistance the person is receiving from the State or Commonwealth. notice ending residency see section 60(3).notice ending tenancy see section 22(3).prescribed minimum housing standard see section 17A(1) of the Act.public health direction see the Public Health Act 2005, section 362B(1).quarantine direction means—(a)a public health direction requiring a person to stay at a place for a stated period in isolation; or(b)a direction, under the Public Health Act 2005, section 362H requiring a person to stay at a place for a stated period in isolation.
residency variation agreement see section 51(1).social distancing means keeping at least 1.5m distance away from other persons at a place.tenancy variation agreement see section 13(1).vulnerable person means any of the following persons—(a)an individual over 70 years of age;(b)an individual over 65 years of age who has an existing health condition or comorbidities;(c)an Aboriginal person or Torres Strait Islander over the age of 50 who has an existing health condition or comorbidities;(d)an individual whose immune system is compromised.