Our team of experienced solicitors recently attended a presentation regarding the new Residential Tenancies Legislation Amendment (Family Violence) Bill 2018.
This legislation was passed in parliament on 19 February 2019 and aims at improving the options available to victims of family and domestic violence.
Specifically, the amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act and the Residential Parks (Long-Stay Tenants) Act will make it easier for people affected by family and domestic violence to either stay in their own rental home or to move quickly into new accommodation.
Under the new laws, victims of family and domestic violence will be able to do the following:
- Change the locks immediately and without needing to wait for the landlord’s permission;
- Terminate a tenancy agreement within seven days by providing their landlord with evidence of domestic violence. Such evidence would include a copy of a restraining order or a letter in support from their medical professional;
- Stay in their home and apply to have the perpetrator’s name removed from the tenancy agreement; and
- Pay for and install CCTV security at the property.
There are also provisions that aim at ensuring the victim does not bear any unnecessary financial burden at the end of a tenancy, such as that arising from unpaid rent, property damage and the disbursement of the bond.
It is expected that this legislation will come into effect in late April 2019.
Kate King Legal is a boutique firm of experienced criminal defence lawyers who practice in the Perth CBD. We specialise in criminal law, restraining orders and traffic law. If you need a specialist criminal defence lawyer to help you.