New changes to the Residential Tenancies Act were passed last month. The Parliament passed the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill on 5 August 2020. Royal Assent is to be received soon and the Bill will pass into law six months after that.
How much restrictions does this bill bring to landlords? ? Do you know everything that needs to be known about this bill?
1.The key changes are：
- The minimum period between Rent increases will be raised from six months to twelve months.
- Fixed Term tenancies will become periodic at the end of the fixed term unless both the landlord and tenants agree that it is to be for a fixed term.
- Landlords will not be able to end a periodic tenancy without reason.
- The notice period of terminations
- Victims of family violence can end tenancy with two days notice
- Privacy and access to justice：The Tribunal, on the application of any party or on its own initiative, can order that names and identifying details be suppressed.
- Tenants can make minor fitting and attachments to property provided they are able to be removed without damage at the end of their tenancy.
- The Regulator will have new compliance tools to take direct action against parties who are not meeting their obligations.
2.Timeline
From 12.08.2020 – Rent cannot be increased more than once every 12 months
From 1.12.2020 – Landlords must include a statement of their current level of compliance with HHS in all new and varied Tenancy Agreements.
1.7.2021 – Private landlords must ensure their rental properties comply with the healthy homes standards within 90 days of any new, or renewed, tenancy.
Next issue we will talk about The notice period changes of tenancy agreement termination.
