Serious violence on managed premises
Reform 101.
There will be stronger protections for RRPs and operators of managed premises in cases of serious violence on managed premises. A notice to leave will now be able to be served on a resident for their visitor’s behaviour if the resident caused, encouraged or permitted the violence. Victims of family violence cannot be given a notice to leave where the visitor is the perpetrator.
Reform 102.
For instances where a resident’s residency is suspended because of serious violence on managed premises, the prescribed notice given will be updated to include further practical information for a suspended resident, advising them to contact VCAT during their suspension period and shortly after the end of two business days to determine whether or not an application has been made to terminate the residency.
Reform 103.
If a renter’s residential rental agreement has been suspended because of an act of serious violence on managed premises, the suspended renter will be able to make arrangements with the RRP to have an authorised representative collect any personal items that belong to the renter (such as medication) from the premises during the renter’s suspension period. This reform also applies to residents in rooming houses, caravan parks and residential parks.
Reform 104.
There will be shorter adjournment periods for applications to VCAT to terminate a residential rental agreement where an act of serious violence occurs on managed premises. The hearing of the application will only be able to be adjourned once, and the adjournment must not be for longer than five days. This reform also applies to rental arrangements in rooming houses, caravan parks and residential parks.
Reform 105.
If a notice to leave is served on a resident for serious violence on managed premises, and the RRP or operator seeks to terminate the residency at the end of the two-day suspension period, VCAT must do so if it determines that the notice to leave was appropriately given.
