The New Residential Tenancies Act 1997

The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2018, which makes significant changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (‘’the Act’’), has recently been passed by both houses of the Victorian Parliament. The changes are subject to proclamation but are expected to take effect in 2019.

The changes to the Act make many amendments to Part 4 and Part 4A of the Act which govern and regulate the relationship between caravan park operators and the occupants of their caravan parks.

Some of the key changes expected to the Act are the following: -  

·         The removal of the ability for caravan park operators to serve a notice to vacate on Part 4 Residents and Part 4A Site Tenants for no reason;

·         Significant duties and compensation requirements imposed on caravan park operators in the event of the closure of a caravan park;

·         Increased disclosure requirements for caravan park operators in dealing with prospective Part 4 Residents or prospective Part 4A Site Tenants;

·         The requirement that caravan park operators provide at least two (2) methods of payment for Part 4 Residents and Part 4A Site Tenants to pay rent;

·         New prohibited terms which caravan park operators cannot include in site agreements, resident agreements and caravan park rules;

·         Limits on how often rent/site fees may be increased by caravan park operators and the method in which rent is increased; and

·         Many other changes which may be of relevance at your caravan park.

This article is prepared to provide a brief summary of the proposed changes to the Act and is not intended nor should be relied upon as legal advice.

If you require more information and specific legal advice on how the changes to the Act may affect your caravan park and the current Resident Agreements or Site Agreements in place at your caravan park, contact Securitec on 1300 171 519 or info@securitec.com.au.