The Law Handbook 2024

1254 Index notice to vacate distinguished 510 reasonable and proportionate test 511, 539 without reasonable grounds, offence 511 notice to vacate see notice to vacate offences 533–4 open for inspections 482 periodic tenancy agreement 471 rent increases 491 personal injury claim 526 photos of property at start and end 465, 475 possession order see possession order pre-contractual disclosures 469 privacy 476, 535 prohibited terms 470 proper forum for proceedings 531 protected renters 467, 469 public housing 529–31 bond, recovery of 519 notice to vacate 506, 509, 529 repair procedures 486 service charges 479 questioning potential renters 468 quiet enjoyment, right to 480 compensation for breach 524 rates, payment of 479 recovery of bond 518–21 application to VCAT 519–20 claims to RTBA 518–19 Director of Housing bonds 519 family or personal violence 521 joint claims 519 not lodged with RBTA 521 rental provider/agent claims 519, 520 renter claims 519 reduction of term, application for 498 family violence 499 long-term agreement 498 severe hardship 500 rent 490–3 advertisement stating 468 application to VCAT 493 arrears, eviction for 502–4 bankruptcy, effect 378 card, charging for 473 direct debit facilities 473 eviction for non-payment 502–4 excessive increase 492–3 in advance, limit 491 increases 491–3 method of payment 490–1 receipts 465, 471 rent auctions 468 rent special account 483 rental agreement 464, 470–1 additional terms in writing 465 breaking 496–8 compensation for breach 523–4 copy to renter 470, 477 family violence, termination or creation 499 fees and charges 472–3 fixed-term 471 implied 470–1 invalid terms 470 periodic 471 prescribed standard form 470 rooming house 488, 489 signing 470 terminating 493–18 terms 470 rental non-compliance register 477 rental provider (landlord) 464, 468 abandoned goods, dealing with 521–3 agent acting on behalf of 468 application for possession see possession order assignment, consent to 471, 472 breach of duty 523, 527 charges, liability for 478–9 compensation see tenancy – compensation claims database 477 disclosure obligations 469 duty to provide information 477–8 illegal charges 472–3 maintenance, duty re 480, 483 obligations 468–70, 477, 489 offences 533–4 questioning potential renters 468 renters’ information, use of 469 restraining order against 481, 494 right of entry 481–3 rights and responsibilities 480 safety responsibilities 487–8 sub-letting, consent to 471 renter (tenant) 464, 465–8 breach of duties 479–80, 505 compensation see tenancy – compensation claims consent to entry by landlord 482–3 discrimination against 469 duties 479–80 fencing work 584 financial hardship 479 personal information, use of 469 personal injury claim by 526 removal of goods on termination 518, 521 safety responsibilities 487 statement of rights and duties 478 tips for protecting rights 464–5 utility charges, liability for 478 who is 465–8 repairs and maintenance 483–6 application to VCAT 483, 484, 485, 486 breach of duties 479 common property 486 compensation claim 523, 528 Director of Housing procedures 486 emergency telephone number for 484 fear of retaliation when requesting 483 Housing call centre 486, 540 inspection report 485 non-urgent 484 notice 485 owners corporations and 486, 594 process for getting 484 rent special account 483 rental provider’s duty 480, 483 repair order 483 request where minimum standards not met 486 retaliation against renter requesting 483, 509 specialist disability accommodation 535 suitably qualified person 484 urgent 484 reporting breaches or hostile conduct 465 Residential Tenancies Act 464 2018 amendments 464 appeals under 531–3 exclusions 467–8 offences under 533–4 scope of 465–8 Residential Tenancies Bond Authority 472, 540 bond claims 518–19 lodging bond with 473, 474 tenant transfer form 472 right of entry 481–3 rooming houses see rooming houses safety responsibilities rental provider 487–8 renter 487 schools excluded from Act 467 security 487–8 rooming houses 489, 490 specialist disability accommodation 535 self-help information kits 533 site renters 464, 467 social housing 529–31 specialist disability accommodation see specialist disability accommodation (SDA) squatters excluded from Act 467–8 standard form agreement 470 starting 468–78 statement of rights and duties 478 storage of abandoned goods 522 sub-letting 466, 471–2 consent of landlord 471, 472 without consent, notice to vacate 471, 505 Supported Residential Services (SRS) 467 taxes, liability for 479 tenant see renter above Tenants Victoria 74, 92, 389, 501, 540 family violence protection kit 466, 501, 521 termination 493–523 compensation 498, 528 procedure 511–18 rental provider, by 501–12 renter, by 493, 494–501, 512 terminology changes 464 tips for protecting rights 464–5 urgent repairs 484 utility charges 478–9 VCAT, application to 464, 540 assignment 472 bond claims 519–20 compensation claims 481, 523–9 creation application 499, 501 database listing 476, 477 family violence 499–501 implied agreement, enforcing 471 judicial intervention 538–9 jurisdiction 524, 540 Koori engagement team 500 notice to leave 511 order declaring agreement invalid 470 possession order 513–17 reduction of term applications 498 release of bond 473 rent increases 493 rent special account 483 repairs 483, 484, 485, 486