Changes To Residential Tenancies Act March 2021
Victoria’s renting laws are changing, with more than 132 reforms to be implemented. The start date of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2018 has been delayed due to coronavirus (COVID-19). The amendments are to be introduced by 29 March 2021, rather than the original date of 1 July 2020.
We outline in these videos the changes to –
- Arrears and notices to vacate
- Compliance
- Grounds of Entry, Opens, Sales and Routine Inspections
- Rental Property Modifications
- Pets
- Rental Agreement Terminations
- Urgent Repairs and Maintenance
- Terminology
Arrears, Terminations, Fines – We wish to inform you about some of the changes in the residential tenancy act. Specifically today we’ll be covering arrears and notices to vacate.
Compliance – New regulations in renting means the rental provider needs to comply with various new laws like electrical / gas checks, pools/spas and water tanks that are now mandatory for fire-prone areas. There are 132 changes to the Residential Tenancy Act that take place from 29 March 2021. Watch the video and click here to view and download the pdf on the changes to the Residential Tenancies Act March 2021
Grounds of Entry, Opens, Sales and Routine Inspections – The Residential Tenancy Act is changing and in this video on we outline the “Grounds For Entry” for “Sales and Rental Open for Inspections” and “Routine Inspections” To find out more, click here for the full list of changes that take effect from 29 March this year. Watch the video and click here to view and download the pdf on the changes to the Residential Tenancies Act March 2021
Rental Property Modifications – Under the new residential tenancy laws “Renters” will be allowed to make prescribed modifications to the property without the consent of the “Rental Provider”. Watch the video and click here to view and download the pdf on the changes to the Residential Tenancies Act March 2021
Leasing, Keys and Locks – Under the new rental reforms of the Act there are specific changes to leasing terminology, the disclosure of personal and property information, the cleaning of home at hand over and the number of sets of keys to give to renters. Watch the video and click here to view and download the pdf on the changes to the Residential Tenancies Act March 2021
Pets – With the sweeping changes across the residential tenancy acts rental provider cannot unreasonably refuse a pet in their rental property. If the rental provider choices to refuse a pet the rental provider will need to make a claim to the VCAT. Watch the video and click here to view and download the pdf on the changes to the Residential Tenancies Act March 2021
Rental Agreement Terminations – Within the scope of the RTA changes being introduced, there are new rules around rental agreement terminations. Rental Providers are now required to provide a valid reason for the termination of a lease such as a sale of the home, it’s change of use, it’s demolition or the rental provider moving back into the property. Watch the video and click here to view and download the pdf on the changes to the Residential Tenancies Act March 2021
Urgent Repairs and Maintenance – New obligations under the Residential Tenancy Act now apply to providing good maintenance of the rental property regardless of its age and now what constitutes an urgent repair and the timelines required around them and associated fines for non-compliance. Watch the video and click here to view and download the pdf on the changes to the Residential Tenancies Act March 2021
Terminology – The Residential Tenancy Act has had it’s language updated and modernism to reflection today’s society. Some of the changes in terminology are around Tenants and Landlords that are now referred to as Renters and Rental Providers. Certain terms have also been prohibited in the new Act that might indemnify the Rental Provider from certain costs that is their responsibility. Watch the video and click here to view and download the pdf on the changes to the Residential Tenancies Act March 2021
Modifications Minimum Standards – Under new legislation effective from 29 March rental properties now need to meet a new set of minimum standards in there accommodation offering. Basic needs like fixed heating in main living rooms, functioning kitchens with ovens and cooktops and locks on all doors and curtains provided for privacy. Watch the video and click here to view and download the pdf on the changes to the Residential Tenancies Act March 2021
Our Residential Tenancies Act pdf outlines the following.
Summary of changes.
Starting a tenancy: Page 4-5
Living in a rental property: Page 6-7
Leaving a rental property: Page 8-11
Repairs, modifications and property conditions: Page 12-15
Reforms unique to rooming houses: Page 16
Reforms unique to caravan parks and residential parks: Page 17-18
Family violence and personal violence: Page 19-20
Long-term leases: Page 21
Other changes: Page 22
Click here to download the pdf on the changes to the Residential Tenancies Act March 2021