Fairer renting terms for Territorians are on the way with the Residential Tenancies Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 set to be debated in Parliament today.
A raft of measures will strengthen renters’ rights to ensure access to secure, stable, and affordable accommodation.
The Bill features safeguards for victims of domestic and family violence (DFV) including protections for tenants experiencing DFV from being held liable for damage caused by acts of DFV; and clear pathways for landlords to hold perpetrators to account.
As part of the changes under the Territory Labor Government’s justice response, DFV victims will also be able to seek immediate termination of a tenancy without penalty.
Other changes to protect and strengthen renters’ rights include:
a ban on rent bidding;standardising notice periods for termination by landlords of both fixed and periodic tenancies to 60 days;limiting the type information which tenants may be required to give as part of a rental application, and protecting renters’ personal privacy; andbanning lease break fees, and limiting compensation for early termination of fixed term agreements to a maximum of four weeks rent where less than 50 per cent of the agreed rental period has elapsed; or two weeks rent where more than 50 percent of the rental period has elapsed.
Amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act 1999 will bring the Northern Territory closer into line with other jurisdictions, and will deliver much needed protections to renters.
Quotes attributable to Attorney General and Minister for Justice Chansey Paech:
“This Bill is about ensuring renters have access to secure, stable, affordable accommodation; and fair deals.
“It is especially important that those experiencing domestic and family violence are protected through crisis situations.
“The proposed amendments we’re debating in Parliament represent our Government’s second tranche of changes, and we will keep working to provide Territory renters with the protections they need and deserve.”
