REIWA has just announced that the amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act have been passed through the WA Government. These changes will give genuine victims of family and domestic violence protection and provide a way for them to terminate their lease agreement early.

For a tenant to be granted early termination there is a list of steps and evidence that will need to be provided. With cases where there are no criminal charges laid, a tenant will be able to sign a declaration instead of having to apply and wait to go to court. If granted that tenant may move out of the property immediately, the remaining tenant can choose to stay at the property and take over the bond or also terminate the property.

With the help of REIWA and collaborating with various stakeholders, they have ensured that the policy is not able to be misused and is used only by people who truly need it. There is a large penalty in place that will apply if someone is found to have made false statements.

For owners, it means that the early termination of the tenancy will see the tenants out of the property quicker to minimise the financial impact or even potential damage to the property that could occur.

Realmark Director, Anita Percudani has said that “The new changes to the residential tenancy act is a step in the right direction to help protect both victims of domestic violence as well as balance landlords’ interests”.

There will be more updates regarding the amendments in the coming weeks however if you are requiring further information you can contact REWIA directly here or contact your local Realmark agency by clicking here.