The Residential Tenancies Legislation Amendment (Family Violence) Bill 2018 came into effect on 15 April 2019.
The amendments are aimed at giving the victim better choices, including whether to stay in the tenancy or move to safer accommodation, or remove tenancy-related concerns, which are barriers to leaving a violent relationship.
The new laws for victims include:
- Being able to terminate a tenancy agreement within seven days by providing the landlord with evidence of domestic violence, such as a restraining order or a letter from a medical professional, removing the need to go to Court;
- Being able to stay in the home if they choose - they will be able to apply to the Court to have the perpetrator's name removed from the tenancy agreement;
- Being able to change the locks immediately, without permission from their landlord;Being able to install CCTV security at their rental home, at their own cost; and
- Provisions to deal with property damage, unpaid rent and disbursement of the bond to ensure the victim does not carry the financial burden after a tenancy ends.
For more information, visit the Safe Tenancy WA page (Consumer Protection).
View video footage from WAFLPN’s Family Violence Amendments Training on 15 February 2019.