The Housing Legislation Amendment Act 2021 (HLA Act) became law on 20 October 2021, with rental reforms being implemented in a staggered approach.
Reforms for people experiencing domestic and family violence to leave a tenancy or remain in the property safely have already commenced as of 20 October 2021. Reforms relating to minimum housing standards will commence for new leases from 1 September 2023 and for all tenancies from 1 September 2024.
Other changes – such as the framework for all parties to negotiate renting with pets and changes to approved reasons to end a tenancy – will commence on proclamation on a date yet to be set. Learn more on our rental reforms web page.
To help customers understand the options and processes for people experiencing domestic and family violence in a rental property, the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) has published additional resources and information including:
- a podcast episode in Talking Tenancies
- domestic and family violence information factsheets for tenants and residents to explain the process and legislative requirements on costs, confidentiality and changing locks
- a Bond refund for persons experiencing domestic and family violence factsheet to clarify the bond refund process when a tenant/resident leaves the property due to domestic and family violence
- domestic and family violence in a rental property webpage.
Updated forms
The RTA has also updated a number of general tenancy and rooming accommodation forms listed below to improve clarity and provide further customer support and education. Please ensure you download and use these latest versions.
| RTA forms (general tenancies and rooming accommodation) | What's changed? |
|---|---|
| Bond refund for persons experiencing domestic and family violence (Form 4a) | Updated information on bonds involving bond loans |
| Notice to leave (Form R12) | Updated and removed reference to notice not applicable on grounds of abandonment |
| Notice ending tenancy interest (domestic and family violence) (Form 20) | Clarified costs vacating tenant is still responsible for, updated reference to the Regulation and guidelines for lessors/agents |
| Notice ending tenancy interest (domestic and family violence) (form R20) | Clarified costs vacating resident is still responsible for, updated reference to the Regulation and guidelines for lessors/agents |
| Domestic and family violence report | Updated guidelines for agents, lessors and manager/providers |
| Continuing interest notice | Updated guidelines for agents, lessors and manager/providers |
Note: While the RTA makes every reasonable effort to ensure that information on this website is accurate at the time of publication, changes in circumstances after publication may impact on the accuracy of material. This disclaimer is in addition to and does not limit the application of the Residential Tenancies Authority website disclaimer.