Government moves to reassure tenants over laws that could force leases to go to VCAT
Concerns have been raised about coronavirus legislation that could force renters to go to court before moving out of a property, with fears the law may leave tenants worse off.
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New laws that could force renters to go to court before moving out of a property are being reviewed, with the Andrews Government moving to reassure tenants they will not be worse off.
Concerns have been raised about coronavirus legislation that last week passed state parliament after the discovery of a clause that required tenants on month-to-month contracts to go to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal to end their lease.
They would also have to prove they had suffered hardship, sparking fears Victorians could be locked into agreements with landlords without being able to leave.
Tenants on month-to-month contracts must typically provide 28 days notice of their intention to vacate a property.
But a spokeswoman said the government was now drawing up regulations for the industry to give tenants clarity and flexibility on the issue and other rule changes.
“The new laws are intended to give greater flexibility to tenants who wish to end their tenancies during the coronavirus pandemic,” she said.
“We want to assure tenants that the new laws are not intended to reduce their rights to exit their tenancies in any way.”
The emergency legislation passed by last week gave the Andrews Government power to make rules under the state’s current tenancy laws in response to the coronavirus.
These regulations are currently being drafted but it is understood they will maintain the right of tenants to terminate a periodic lease with 28 days notice.