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RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES ACT 1997 - SECT 3

Definitions

    (1)     In this Act—

S. 3(1) def. of allocation inserted by No. 40/2022 s. 9(1).

"allocation", in relation to the National Rental Affordability Scheme, has the same meaning as provided for in section 4 of the National Rental Affordability Scheme Act 2008 of the Commonwealth;

S. 3(1) def. of annexe inserted by No. 67/2010 s. 5(1).

"annexe "means a movable dwelling that—

        (a)     is attached to a registrable movable dwelling or unregistrable movable dwelling; and

        (b)     extends the habitable area of that dwelling;

S. 3(1) def. of A rating repealed by No. 32/2010 s. 78(1).

    *     *     *     *     *

"Authority" means the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority established under this Act;

S. 3(1) def. of bond amended by Nos 67/2010 s. 5(2), 45/2018 s. 5(3)(a).

"bond" means—

        (a)     an amount paid or payable by a renter to secure his or her performance and observance of the residential rental agreement or any of the provisions of this Act relating to the residential rental agreement; or

        (b)     an amount paid or payable by a resident to secure his or her performance and observance of any agreement relating to the residency or of any of the provisions of this Act relating to the residency; or

        (c)     an amount paid or payable by a site tenant to secure his or her performance and observance of the site agreement or any of the provisions of this Act relating to the site agreement;

S. 3(1) def. of breach of duty notice inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"breach of duty notice", except in Division 9 of Part 12A, means a notice served under section 208;

"Building Appeals Board" means the Building Appeals Board under the Building Act 1993 ;

"business day" means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday;

"caravan" means—

        (a)     a movable dwelling; or

        (b)     an immovable dwelling situated in a caravan park

but, except in Part 14, does not include such a dwelling occupied in pursuance of a contract of employment;

"caravan park" means an area of land on which movable dwellings are situated for occupation on payment of consideration, whether or not immovable dwellings are also situated there;

"caravan park owner" means any person who is (either wholly or partly) the owner of a business which operates a caravan park;

"caravan park provisions" means any provisions of this Act to the extent to which they apply to a caravan park, a resident of a caravan park, a caravan park owner, a caravan owner, a caravan park mortgagee or a caravan mortgagee, but does not include Part 14;

S. 3(1) def. of common area amended by Nos 67/2010 s. 5(3), 45/2018 s. 5(3)(b), substituted by No. 40/2022 s. 6.

"common area" means—

        (a)     any area in which facilities are provided for the use of renters, residents or site tenants otherwise than as part of the rented premises, room, site or Part 4A site; and

        (b)     in relation to rented premises which are public housing, an area specified in a notice under section 3C;

S. 3(1) def. of community impact statement inserted by No. 40/2022 s. 3.

"community impact statement" means a statement provided by Homes Victoria under section 322A;

S. 3(1) def. of condition report inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"condition report" means—

        (a)     for the purposes of Part 2, a condition report provided under section 35;

        (b)     for the purposes of Part 3, a condition report provided under section 97;

        (c)     for the purposes of Part 4, a condition report provided under section 148;

        (d)     for the purposes of Part 4A, a condition report provided under section 206O;

S. 3(1) def. of Council inserted by No. 56/2012 s. 14, amended by No. 9/2020 s. 390(Sch.  1 item 86).

"Council" has the same meaning as in section 3(1) of the Local Government Act 2020 ;

S. 3(1) def. of deadlock inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"deadlock" means a deadlatch with at least one cylinder;

"determination" in relation to the Tribunal

        (a)     includes order, direction, decision or declaration; and

        (b)     if a determination is varied under this Act, includes that determination as varied;

S. 3(1) def. of Director substituted by Nos 46/1998
s. 7(Sch. 1), 17/1999 s. 41(1), amended by No. 21/2012 s. 239(Sch. 6 item 36.1).

"Director" means the Director within the meaning of the Australian Consumer Law and Fair Trading Act 2012 ;

S. 3(1) def. of Director of Housing repealed by No. 40/2022 s. 60(2).

    *     *     *     *     *

S. 3(1) def. of Director's guidelines inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"Director's guidelines" means any guidelines issued by the Director under section 486;

S. 3(1) def. of domestic partner inserted by No. 27/2001 s. 3(Sch. 1 item 10.1), substituted by No. 12/2008 s. 73(1)(Sch.  1 item 51.1).

"domestic partner" of a person means—

        (a)     a person who is in a registered relationship with the person; or

        (b)     a person to whom the person is not married but with whom the person is living as a couple on a genuine domestic basis (irrespective of gender);

S. 3(1) def. of duty provision inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"duty provision" means—

        (a)     in relation to rented premises

              (i)     section 89; or

              (ii)     any provision of Division 5 of Part 2, except sections 59, 62, 66 and 71; or

              (iii)     any provision of Division 5A of Part 2; or

        (b)     in relation to a rooming house

              (i)     section 140; or

              (ii)     any provision of Division 5 of Part 3, except section 111, 126 or  128; or

        (c)     in relation to a caravan park

              (i)     section 204; or

              (ii)     any provision of Division 5 of Part 4, except section 168; or

        (d)     in relation to a Part 4A park—

              (i)     section 206ZZM; or

              (ii)     any provision of Division 5 or Division 6 of Part 4A;

"dwelling" means any structure that is designed to be used for human habitation and that is capable of being so used, and includes a motor vehicle or trailer that is so designed and capable;

S. 3(1) def. of efficiency rating system inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"efficiency rating system" means a system of rating the efficiency of any appliances, fixtures and fittings prescribed for the purposes of section 54(1), 69, 72(3), 129(4), 164(1), 181, 188(3), 188A(3) or 206ZZAA;

S. 3(1) def. of eligible resident inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(6).

"eligible resident" means a resident of a caravan park who owns a dwelling affixed to a site in the caravan park other than an annexe but does not include a resident who only owns a registrable movable dwelling;

S. 3(1) def. of eligible site tenant inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(6).

"eligible site tenant" means a site tenant who owns a Part 4A dwelling;

S. 3(1) def. of embedded electricity network inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"embedded electricity network" means a privately owned electricity network—

        (a)     that serves more than one customer; and

        (b)     that connects to a distribution or transmission system in the national electronic grid through a parent connection point;

S. 3(1) def. of exclusion condition inserted by No. 52/2008 s. 257, amended by No. 53/2010 s. 221(Sch. item 9.1), substituted by No. 53/2016 s. 116(b), amended by No. 45/2018 s. 5(3)(c).

"exclusion condition" means—

        (a)     an exclusion condition included in a family violence safety notice under section 29 of the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 ; or

        (b)     an exclusion condition included in a family violence intervention order under section 82 of that Act; or

        (c)     a condition that corresponds to an exclusion condition referred to in paragraph (a) or (b), included in a recognised non-local DVO; or

        (d)     an exclusion condition included in a personal safety intervention order under section 67 of the Personal Safety Intervention Orders Act 2010 ;

S. 3(1) def. of exclusive occupancy right inserted by No. 63/2005 s. 4(a).

"exclusive occupancy right", in relation to a room or rooming house, means a residency right of a kind set out in section 92A;

S. 3(1) def. of facilities amended by Nos 67/2010 s. 5(4), 45/2018 s. 5(3)(d).

facilities means—

        (a)     land or buildings intended for use for storage space or car parking;

        (b)     laundry facilities;

        (c)     cooking facilities;

        (d)     recreational areas;

        (e)     lifts;

        (f)     garbage storage and disposal facilities;

        (g)     bathroom, toilet and washing facilities;

        (h)     appliances for heating or cooling premises;

              (i)     communications facilities;

        (j)     lawns, gardens and outhouses;

        (k)     stairways;

        (l)     any area designed or set aside for common use by renters, residents or site tenants

provided for the use of a renter, resident or site tenant otherwise than as part of the rented premises, room, site or Part 4A site;

S. 3(1) def. of fair wear and tear inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"fair wear and tear" means deterioration of the condition of premises caused by—

        (a)     reasonable use of—

              (i)     the premises by a renter or a visitor; or

              (ii)     the SDA enrolled dwelling by an SDA resident; and

        (b)     natural environmental forces;

S. 3(1) def. of family member inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"family member" has the same meaning as in the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 ;

S. 3(1) def. of family violence inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"family violence" has the same meaning as in the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 ;

New s. 3(1) def. of family violence intervention order inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

family violence intervention order has the same meaning as in the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 ;

S. 3(1) defs of family violence intervention order and family violence safety notice inserted by No. 52/2008 s. 257, repealed by No. 45/2018 s. 5(2) (as amended by No. 47/2019 s. 61(3)).

    *     *     *     *     *

New s. 3(1) def. of family violence safety notice inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"family violence safety notice" has the same meaning as in the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 ;

S. 3(1) def. of fixed term residential rental agreement inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"fixed term residential rental agreement" means a residential rental agreement for a fixed term including, in the case of a fixed term residential rental agreement for more than 5 years, any extension of that residential rental agreement exercised in accordance with a term permitting the extension of that residential rental agreement at the end of the fixed term;

S. 3(1) def. of fixed term rooming house agreement inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"fixed term rooming house agreement" means an agreement under section 93A;

S. 3(1) def. of fixed term site agreement inserted by No. 67/2010 s. 5(1).

"fixed term site agreement" means a site agreement for a fixed term;

S. 3(1) def. of fixed term tenancy agreement amended by No. 40/2018 s. 4(2), repealed by No. 45/2018 s. 5(2) (as amended by No. 47/2019 s. 61(3)).

    *     *     *     *     *

S. 3(1) def. of GST inserted by No. 67/2010 s. 166.

"GST" has the same meaning as it has in the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 of the Commonwealth except that it includes notional GST of the kind for which payments may be made under Part 3 of the National Taxation Reform (Consequential Provisions) Act 2000 by a person that is a State entity within the meaning of that Act;

"guarantee" includes indemnity;

S. 3(1) def. of health or residential service amended by Nos 48/2006 s. 42(Sch. item 30), 23/2006, s. 248(1), 49/2010 s. 231, 26/2014 s. 455(Sch. item 25), 38/2018 s. 295(2)(a)(b), 39/2022 s. 859, 9/2023 s. 237.

"health or residential service" means—

        (a)     a residential care service, State funded residential care service, health service establishment, denominational hospital or public hospital within the meaning of the Health Services Act 1988 ; or

        (b)     premises used for a designated mental health service within the meaning of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 ; or

        (c)     premises used for a residential service within the meaning of the Disability Act 2006 ; or

        (ca)     accommodation approved for supervised treatment under section 187 of the Disability Act 2006 ; or

        (d)     premises used for a secure welfare service within the meaning of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 ; or

        (e)     premises where accommodation is provided by a service agency for the purpose of delivering support services by that agency to a client of that agency; or

        (f)     premises used for a supported residential service within the meaning of the Supported Residential Services (Private Proprietors) Act 2010

but does not include premises used for specialist disability accommodation that is an SDA enrolled dwelling;

S. 3(1) def. of hearing repealed by No. 52/1998
s. 235(2)(a).

    *     *     *     *     *

"hiring charge" means the amount paid by a resident to a caravan owner to occupy a caravan;

S. 3(1) def. of Homes Victoria inserted by No. 40/2022 s. 60(1).

"Homes Victoria" means the body corporate established under section 9(2) of the Housing Act 1983 ;

S. 3(1) def. of information provider inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"information provider" means a person who carries on a business of providing information and includes—

        (a)     the holder of a licence granted under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 of the Commonwealth;

        (b)     a person who is the provider of a broadcasting service under a class licence under that Act;

        (c)     the holder of a licence continued in force by section 5(1) of the Broadcasting Services (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1992 of the Commonwealth;

        (d)     the Australian Broadcasting Corporation;

        (e)     the Special Broadcasting Service Corporation;

"invalid" in relation to an agreement or guarantee, means void;

S. 3(1) def. of landlord repealed by No. 45/2018 s. 5(2) (as amended by No. 47/2019 s. 61(3)).

    *     *     *     *     *

"motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle within the meaning of the Road Safety Act 1986 ;

"movable dwelling" means a dwelling that is designed to be movable, but does not include a dwelling that cannot be situated at and removed from a place within 24 hours;

S. 3(1) def. of National Rental Affordability Scheme inserted by No. 40/2022 s. 9(1).

"National Rental Affordability Scheme" means the scheme prescribed for the purposes of section 5 of the National Rental Affordability Scheme Act 2008 of the Commonwealth;

S. 3(1) def. of NDIA inserted by No. 38/2018 s. 295(1).

"NDIA "has the same meaning as it has in section 498B;

S. 3(1) def. of NDIS inserted by No. 38/2018 s. 295(1).

"NDIS "has the same meaning as it has in section 498B;

S. 3(1) def. of non-local DVO inserted by No. 53/2016 s. 116(a).

"non-local DVO" means a non-local DVO within the meaning of the National Domestic Violence Order Scheme Act 2016 ;

S. 3(1) def. of notice of intention to vacate inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"notice of intention to vacate" means—

        (a)     in relation to rented premises, a notice of intention to vacate under Division 9 of Part 2;

        (b)     in relation to a rooming house, a notice of intention to vacate under Division 10 of Part 3;

        (c)     in relation to a residency right in respect of a site or a caravan in a caravan park, a notice of intention to vacate under Division 9 of Part 4;

        (d)     in relation to a site agreement or a Part 4A site, a notice of intention to vacate under Division 11 of Part 4A;

        (e)     in relation to an SDA enrolled dwelling under an SDA residency agreement, a notice of intention to vacate under section 498ZZA;

S. 3(1) def. of notice to vacate inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"notice to vacate" means—

        (a)     in relation to rented premises, a notice to vacate under Division 9 of Part 2;

        (b)     in relation to a rooming house, a notice to vacate under Division 10 of Part 3;

        (c)     in relation to a residency right in respect of a site or a caravan in a caravan park, a notice to vacate under Division 9 of Part 4;

        (d)     in relation to a site agreement or a Part 4A site, a notice to vacate under Division 11 of Part 4A;

        (e)     in relation to an SDA enrolled dwelling under an SDA residency agreement, a notice to vacate under section 498ZX;

S. 3(1) def. of NRAS eligibility criteria inserted by No. 40/2022 s. 9(1).

"NRAS eligibility criteria" means the criteria for eligibility for a rental dwelling under the National Rental Affordability Scheme as provided for in the National Rental Affordability Scheme Regulations 2020 of the Commonwealth;

S. 3(1) def. of occupation fee inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"occupation fee" means the following—

        (a)     a fee an owner of premises may require under section 388;

        (b)     a fee ordered by the Tribunal under section 401(b);

"owner" in relation to rented premises, means the owner in fee simple of the premises;

S. 3(1) def. of owners corporation inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"owners corporation" has the same meaning as in  section 3 of the Owners Corporations Act 2006 ;

S. 3(1) def. of park closure compen-sation order inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(6).

"park closure compensation order" means an order made by the Tribunal under section 215B;

S. 3(1) def. of Part 4A dwelling inserted by No. 67/2010 s. 5(1).

Part 4A dwelling means a dwelling fully or partially owned by a site tenant

        (a)     designed, built or manufactured to be transported from one place to another for use as a residence; or

        (b)     any other prescribed Part 4A dwelling

but does not include—

        (c)     a registrable movable dwelling; or

        (d)     a registrable movable dwelling with an annexe attached; or

        (e)     a dwelling that was previously a registrable movable dwelling but that has been modified to the extent that it no longer satisfies the definition of a registrable movable dwelling, unless it was so modified before the commencement of section 5 of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2010 ;

S. 3(1) def. of Part 4A park inserted by No. 67/2010 s. 5(1).

Part 4A park means an area of land where—

        (a)     sites of land are available for occupation under a site agreement; and

        (b)     Part 4A dwellings may be situated on those sites; and

        (c)     common areas or facilities are available for the use of a person occupying a Part 4A site

and includes a caravan park if the caravan park contains Part 4A sites;

S. 3(1) def. of Part 4A site inserted by No. 67/2010 s. 5(1).

Part 4A site means a site that is available for occupation under a site agreement;

S. 3(1) def. of partner inserted by No. 27/2001 s. 3(Sch. 1 item 10.1).

"partner" of a person means the person's spouse or domestic partner;

S. 3(1) def. of pecuniary penalty provision inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"pecuniary penalty provision" means a provision set out in Schedule 1A;

S. 3(1) def. of periodic residential rental agreement inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"periodic residential rental agreement" means a residential rental agreement other than a fixed term residential rental agreement;

S. 3(1) def. of periodic site agreement inserted by No. 67/2010 s. 5(1).

"periodic site agreement "means a site agreement other than a fixed term site agreement;

S. 3(1) def. of periodic tenancy agreement repealed by No. 45/2018 s. 5(2) (as amended by No. 47/2019 s. 61(3)).

    *     *     *     *     *

"personal documents" means—

        (a)     official documents; or

        (b)     photographs; or

        (c)     correspondence; or

        (d)     any other document which it would be reasonable to expect that a person would want to keep;

S. 3(1) def. of personal information inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"personal information", other than in Part 10A, has the same meaning as in the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 ;

S. 3(1) def of personal safety intervention order inserted by No. 53/2010 s. 221(Sch. item 9.2).

personal safety intervention order has the meaning given by the Personal Safety Intervention Orders Act 2010 ;

S. 3(1) def. of personal violence inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"personal violence" means the following—

        (a)     prohibited behaviour within the meaning of the Personal Safety Intervention Orders Act 2010 ;

        (b)     stalking within the meaning of the Personal Safety Intervention Orders Act 2010 ;

S. 3(1) def. of pet inserted by No. 47/2019 s. 46.

"pet" means any animal other than an assistance dog within the meaning of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 ;

S. 3(1) def. of police officer inserted by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 144.1).

"police officer" has the same meaning as in the Victoria Police Act 2013 ;

S. 3(1) def. of prescribed rating system inserted by No. 32/2010 s. 78(2), repealed by No. 45/2018 s. 5(2) (as amended by No. 47/2019 s. 61(3)).

    *     *     *     *     *

S. 3(1) def. of principal registrar inserted by No. 52/1998
s. 235(2)(b).

"principal registrar" means principal registrar of the Tribunal;

S. 3(1) def. of prohibited term inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"prohibited term" means a term referred to in section 26A(1)(a), 27B, 94AC, 94AD, 144AA, 144AB or 206FA;

S. 3(1) def. of proprietor inserted by No. 56/2012 s. 14.

"proprietor", in relation to a rooming house, means   a person providing prescribed accommodation within the meaning of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 , where the prescribed accommodation is a rooming house;

S. 3(1) def. of protected person inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"protected person" means—

        (a)     in relation to a family violence safety notice, a protected person within the meaning of the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 ;

        (b)     in relation to a family violence intervention order, a protected person within the meaning of the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 ;

        (c)     in relation to a recognised non-local DVO, a protected person within the meaning of the National Domestic Violence Order Scheme Act 2016 ;

        (d)     in relation to a personal safety intervention order, a protected person within the meaning of the Personal Safety Intervention Orders Act 2010 ;

S. 3(1) def. of Public Advocate inserted by No. 38/2018 s. 295(1).

"Public Advocate" has the same meaning as in the Disability Act 2006 ;

S. 3(1) def. of public housing inserted by No. 40/2022 s. 9(2).

"public housing" means non-profit housing in the public sector, other than under the Victorian Affordable Housing Programs, for which Homes Victoria is the residential rental provider;

S. 3(1) def. of public statutory authority amended by No. 23/2016 s. 26(1).

"public statutory authority" means an office or body corporate or unincorporate established by or under an Act for a public purpose and includes a Council;

S. 3(1) def. of recognised DVO inserted by No. 53/2016 s. 116(a).

"recognised DVO" means a recognised DVO within the meaning of the National Domestic Violence Order Scheme Act 2016 ;

S. 3(1) def. of recognised non-local DVO inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"recognised non-local DVO" means non-local DVO that is a recognised DVO under the  National Domestic Violence Order Scheme Act 2016 ;

S. 3(1) def. of registered agency inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"registered agency "has the same meaning as in section 4(1) of the Housing Act 1983 ;

S. 3(1) def. of registered housing agency inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"registered housing agency" means—

        (a)     a participating registered agency within the meaning of the Housing Act 1983 ; or

        (b)     a registered agency;

S. 3(1) def. of registered rooming house inserted by No. 56/2012 s. 14.

"registered rooming house" means a rooming house registered in accordance with Division 4 of Part 6 of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 because it is prescribed accommodation within the meaning of that Act;

S. 3(1) def. of registrable movable dwelling inserted by No. 67/2010 s. 5(1).

registrable movable dwelling means a movable dwelling that is or has been registered or is required to be registered under the Road Safety Act 1986 ;

S. 3(1) def. of Registrar repealed by No. 52/1998
s. 235(2)(c).

    *     *     *     *     *

S. 3(1) def. of rent amended by Nos 63/2005 s. 4(b), 67/2010 s. 5(5), 38/2018 s. 295(2)(c), 45/2018 s. 5(3)(f)(g).

"rent" (except in Part 12A) means—

        (a)     in relation to a residential rental agreement, the amount paid to a residential rental provider by a renter to occupy rented premises and use facilities and services; or

        (b)     in relation to the residency of a rooming house, the amount paid to a rooming house operator by a resident to occupy a room and use facilities and services; or

        (c)     in relation to the residency of a caravan park, the amount paid to a caravan park owner by a resident to occupy a site and use facilities and services; or

        (d)     in relation to a site agreement, the amount paid to a site owner by a site tenant to occupy a Part 4A site and use facilities and services

but does not include any amount for which a renter, resident or site tenant is liable under section 52, 57, 108, 109A, 162 or  206ZE;

"Rent Special Account" means the Rent Special Account established under section 485;

S. 3(1) def. of rental minimum standards inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"rental minimum standards" means the standards prescribed under section 65A;

S. 3(1) def. of Rental Non-compliance Register inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"Rental Non-compliance Register" means the register established under section 439P;

S. 3(1) def. of rental rebate inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)), amended by No. 40/2022 s. 60(3).

"rental rebate" means a rebate of rent, or any other reduction in rent, granted to a renter or a resident of a rooming house by Homes Victoria or a registered agency;

S. 3(1) def. of rented premises amended by No. 45/2018 s. 5(3)(h).

"rented premises" in relation to a residential rental agreement to which this Act applies means the premises let under the residential rental agreement;

S. 3(1) def. of renter inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"renter" means—

        (a)     the person to whom premises are let under a residential rental agreement; or

        (b)     the person to whom premises are to be let under a proposed residential rental agreement;

S. 3(1) def. of required time inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"required time" means—

        (a)     in relation to rented premises

              (i)     for a duty under section 60 or 67, 7 days; or

              (ii)     for a duty under section 89 in relation to a right of entry for a purpose set out in section 86(1)(a), (c) or (f), 14 days; or

              (iii)     for a duty under section 89 in relation to a right of entry for a purpose set out in section 86(1)(b), (d) or (e), 3 days; or

              (iv)     for any other duty under Division 5 or 5A of Part 2, 14 days; or

        (b)     in relation to a rooming house, for a duty under section 140 or Division 5 of Part 3, 3 days; or

        (c)     in relation to a caravan park

              (i)     for a duty under section 204 in relation to a right of entry for a purpose set out in section 201(a), (c) or (e), 7 days; or

              (ii)     for a duty under section 204 in relation to a right of entry for a purpose set out in section 201(b) or (d), 3 days; or

              (iii)     for any other duty under Division 5 of Part 4, 7 days; or

        (d)     in relation to a Part 4A site

              (i)     for a duty under section 206ZZM in relation to a right of entry for a purpose set out in section 206ZZJ(a), (c) or (e), 14 days; or

              (ii)     for a duty under section 206ZZM in relation to a right of entry for a purpose set out in section 206ZZJ(b) or (d), 3 days; or

              (iii)     for a duty under section 206ZL or  206ZU, 7 days; or

              (iv)     for any other duty under Division 5 or Division 6 of Part 4A, 14 days;

"residency right" means—

        (a)     in relation to a room or rooming house, a right conferred by section 92 ; or

        (b)     in relation to a site or caravan in a caravan park or a caravan park, a right conferred by section 143;

S. 3(1) def. of resident amended by Nos 63/2005 s. 4(c), 67/2010 s. 5(6), 45/2018 s. 5(3)(i).

"resident" means—

        (a)     in relation to a rooming house, a person   who, with the agreement of the rooming house operator, occupies a room as his or her only or main residence; or

        (b)     in relation to a caravan park, a person (other than a site tenant) who occupies a site in the caravan park as his or her only or main residence and—

              (i)     who has obtained the prior written agreement of the caravan park owner to do so (whether that agreement was given in respect of that site or another site in the caravan park); or

              (ii)     who has so occupied any site in the caravan park for at least 60 consecutive days other than an occupant under an occupancy agreement which is expressed to be for holidaying or non‑residential purposes for a period of 60 days or more;

S. 3(1) def. of residential rental agreement inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"residential rental agreement" means an agreement, whether or not in writing and whether express or implied, under which a person lets premises as a residence (but does not include an SDA residency agreement) and includes a fixed term residential rental agreement and a periodic residential rental agreement;

S. 3(1) def. of residential rental provider inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"residential rental provider" means—

        (a)     the person by whom premises are let under a residential rental agreement; or

        (b)     the person by whom the premises are to be let under a proposed residential rental agreement;

S. 3(1) def. of residential rights contravention inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"residential rights contravention" means—

        (a)     a contravention of a pecuniary penalty provision; or

        (b)     conduct in relation to a pecuniary penalty provision that is referred to in section 498AD(1)(b) to (g);

"Residential Tenancies Fund" means the Residential Tenancies Fund established under this Act;

"room" means a room in a building, where the room is occupied or intended to be occupied for the purpose of a residence by a person having a right to occupy the room together with a right to use in common with others any facilities in the building but does not include a self-contained apartment;

S. 3(1) def. of room capacity inserted by No. 63/2005 s. 4(a).

"room capacity" means the number of persons who may be accommodated in a room;

S. 3(1) def. of rooming house amended by Nos 45/2002 s. 27(1), 38/2018 s. 295(2)(d).

"rooming house" means a building, other than an SDA enrolled dwelling, in which there is one or more rooms available for occupancy on payment of rent

        (a)     in which the total number of people who may occupy those rooms is not less than 4; or

        (b)     in respect of which a declaration under section 19(2) or (3) is in force;

S. 3(1) def. of rooming house operator inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"rooming house operator" has the same meaning as in section 3(1) of the Rooming House Operators Act 2016 ;

S. 3(1) def. of rooming house owner repealed by No. 45/2018 s. 5(2) (as amended by No. 47/2019 s. 61(3)).

    *     *     *     *     *

S. 3(1) def. of rooming house provisions amended by No. 45/2018 s. 5(3)(j).

"rooming house provisions" means any provisions of this Act to the extent to which they apply to a room, a rooming house, a resident of a room in a rooming house, a rooming house operator or a rooming house mortgagee;

S. 3(1) def. of Rooming House Register inserted by No. 56/2012 s. 14.

"Rooming House Register" means the register of rooming houses established under section 142E;

S. 3(1) def. of rooming house standard inserted by No. 56/2012 s. 3.

"rooming house standard" means a standard prescribed under section 142C for the purposes of Division 8 of Part 3;

S. 3(1) def. of SDA enrolled dwelling inserted by No. 38/2018 s. 295(1), amended by No. 45/2018 s. 383.

"SDA enrolled dwelling" means a permanent dwelling

        (a)     that provides long-term accommodation for one or more SDA residents; and

        (b)     that is enrolled as an SDA dwelling under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Specialist Disability Accommodation) Rules 2016 of the Commonwealth as in force from time to time or under other rules made under the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 of the Commonwealth; and

        (c)     that may comprise of—

              (i)     an area or room exclusively occupied by an SDA resident and common areas shared by other SDA residents under an SDA residency agreement; or

              (ii)     the dwelling as a whole occupied exclusively by an SDA resident under an SDA residency agreement; or

              (iii)     the dwelling as a whole occupied under a residential rental agreement by at least one SDA resident and other occupants who may or may not be SDA residents;

S. 3(1) def. of SDA provider inserted by No. 38/2018 s. 295(1).

"SDA provider" has the same meaning as it has in section 498B ;

S. 3(1) def. of SDA residency agreement inserted by No. 38/2018 s. 295(1).

"SDA residency agreement "has the same meaning as it has in section 498B;

S. 3(1) def. of SDA resident inserted by No. 38/2018 s. 295(1).

"SDA resident" has the same meaning as it has in section 498B ;

S. 3(1) def. of SDA resident's administrator inserted by No. 38/2018 s. 295(1).

"SDA resident's administrator" has the same meaning as it has in section 498B;

S. 3(1) def. of SDA resident's guardian inserted by No. 38/2018 s. 295(1).

"SDA resident's guardian" has the same meaning as it has in section 498B;

"self-contained apartment" means a portion of a building which forms a self-contained residence, including kitchen and bathroom and toilet facilities, under the exclusive possession of the occupier;

S. 3(1) def. of separately metered amended by No. 45/2002 s. 86.

"separately metered" means that there is, in respect of rented premises, a room or a site, a meter—

        (a)     that has been installed or approved by the relevant supplier of the utility; and

        (b)     that measures, in relation to those premises or that room or site only, the quantity of a substance or service that is supplied to, or used at, those premises or that room or site;

S. 3(1) def. of serious defect inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"serious defect", in respect of a caravan and a Part 4A dwelling, means—

        (a)     the caravan or dwelling, including the exterior of the caravan or dwelling, is not in a reasonable state of cleanliness or repair; and

        (b)     the condition of the caravan or dwelling poses a significant health or safety risk;

S. 3(1) def. of service agency substituted by No. 23/2006 s. 248(2).

"service agency" means a disability service provider within the meaning of the Disability Act 2006 ;

S. 3(1) def. of services amended by No. 45/2018 s. 5(3)(k).

"services" includes the provision to a resident by a rooming house operator of meals, linen or room cleaning services;

S. 3(1) def. of shared room inserted by No. 63/2005 s. 4(a).

"shared room" means a room that is occupied by one or more residents with shared room rights;

S. 3(1) def. of shared room right inserted by No. 63/2005 s. 4(a).

"shared room right" means a residency right of a kind set out in section 92B;

"site" means a site in a caravan park;

S. 3(1) def. of site agreement inserted by No. 67/2010 s. 5(1).

site agreement means an agreement under which a person lets land as a Part 4A site for the purposes of the occupation of a Part 4A dwelling on that land by the Part 4A dwelling owner as a residence;

S. 3(1) def. of site agreement provisions inserted by No. 67/2010 s. 5(1).

"site agreement provisions "means any provisions of this Act to the extent to which they apply to a Part 4A site, a Part 4A dwelling, a site owner or a site tenant;

S. 3(1) def. of site owner inserted by No. 67/2010 s. 5(1).

"site owner "means the person by whom a Part 4A site

        (a)     is let under a site agreement; or

        (b)     is to be let under a proposed site agreement;

S. 3(1) def. of site tenant inserted by No. 67/2010 s. 5(1).

"site tenant" means the person to whom a Part 4A site

        (a)     is let under a site agreement; or

        (b)     is to be let under a proposed site agreement;

S. 3(1) def. of solar energy system inserted by No. 47/2019 s. 91.

"solar energy system" means—

        (a)     solar photovoltaic system;

        (b)     solar hot water system;

        (c)     solar battery system;

        (d)     any combination of a system or systems referred to in paragraphs (a) to (c);

        (e)     any ancillary equipment related to a system referred to in paragraphs (a) to (d);

S. 3(1) def. of Solar Homes Program inserted by No. 47/2019 s. 91.

"Solar Homes Program "means the program administered by the Minister administering section 8 of the Renewable Energy (Jobs and Investment) Act 2017 under which rebates or loans or both rebates and loans are provided for the installation of any solar energy system;

S. 3(1) def. of spouse inserted by No. 27/2001 s. 3(Sch. 1 item 10.1).

"spouse" of a person means a person to whom the person is married;

S. 3(1) def. of standard form inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"standard form", except in Parts 12 and 12A, means the form prescribed for the purposes of section 26(1), (1A)(b) or (1B);

S. 3(1) def. of standard form tenancy agreement inserted by No. 40/2018 s. 4(1).

"standard form tenancy agreement" means—

        (a)     in relation to a tenancy agreement for a fixed term not exceeding 5 years, the standard form prescribed for the purposes of section 26(1) ;

        (b)     in relation to a tenancy agreement for a fixed term of more than 5 years, the standard form prescribed for the purposes of section 26(1A)(b)(ii) ;

S. 3(1) def. of substantiation notice inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"substantiation notice" means a notice given under section 510L(2);

S. 3(1) def. of suitably qualified person inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"suitably qualified person" includes a tradesperson who is registered or licensed in respect of relevant work to be undertaken, if that work requires a person to be so registered or licensed;

"support services" means—

        (a)     assistance with one or more of the following—

              (i)     bathing, showering or personal hygiene; or

              (ii)     toileting; or

              (iii)     dressing or undressing; or

              (iv)     meals; or

        (b)     physical assistance for persons with mobility problems; or

        (c)     assistance for persons who are mobile but require some form of supervision or assistance; or

        (d)     development of independent living skills;

S. 3(1) def. of temporary crisis accom-modation inserted by No. 45/2002 s. 4, substituted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(3)(l) (as amended by No. 1/2021 s. 87(2)).

"temporary crisis accommodation" means accommodation provided—

        (a)     for a prescribed period (if any); and

        (b)     on a non-permanent basis; and

        (c)     on a non-profit basis; and

        (d)     which is prescribed to be temporary crisis accommodation;

S. 3(1) def. of tenancy agreement amended by No. 38/2018 s. 295(2)(e), repealed by No. 45/2018 s. 5(2) (as amended by No. 47/2019 s. 61(3)).

    *     *     *     *     *

S. 3(1) def. of tenant repealed by No. 45/2018 s. 5(2) (as amended by No. 47/2019 s. 61(3)).

    *     *     *     *     *

this Act includes the regulations;

"trailer" means a trailer within the meaning of the Road Safety Act 1986 ;

S. 3(1) def. of Tribunal substituted by No. 52/1998
s. 235(2)(d).

"Tribunal" means Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal established by the  Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998 ;

S. 3(1) def. of Uniform Capital Allowance System inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"Uniform Capital Allowance System "means the Uniform Capital Allowance System in the publication known as the Australian Taxation Office Guide to Depreciating Assets 2017, issued in respect of Division 40 of Part 2–10 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 of the Commonwealth, as in force from time to time;

S. 3(1) def. of unregistrable movable dwelling inserted by No. 67/2010 s. 5(1), amended by No. 43/2012 s. 3(Sch. item 42.1).

"unregistrable movable dwelling" means a movable dwelling that—

        (a)     is constructed on a chassis or in prefabricated sections; and

        (b)     once installed, is a freestanding dwelling with solid walls and roof; and

        (c)     is not a registrable movable dwelling;

S. 3(1) def. of urgent repairs amended by Nos 38/2018 s. 295(2)(f)−(i), 45/2018 s. 5(4).

"urgent repairs" means any work necessary to repair or remedy—

        (a)     a burst water service; or

        (b)     a blocked or broken lavatory system; or

        (c)     a serious roof leak; or

        (d)     a gas leak; or

        (e)     a dangerous electrical fault; or

        (f)     flooding or serious flood damage; or

        (g)     serious storm or fire damage; or

        (h)     a failure or breakdown of any essential service or appliance provided for hot water, water, cooking, heating or laundering by—

              (i)     a residential rental provider in rented premises; or

              (ii)     a rooming house operator in a rooming house; or

              (iii)     a caravan park owner or a caravan owner in a caravan park or caravan; or

              (iv)     an SDA provider in an SDA enrolled dwelling; or

              (i)     a failure or breakdown of the gas, electricity or water supply to rented premises, a rooming house, a caravan or an SDA enrolled dwelling; or

        (ia)     a failure or breakdown of any cooling appliance or cooling service provided by a residential rental provider, rooming house operator, caravan park owner or caravan owner; or

        (ib)     a failure to comply with any rental minimum standards; or

        (ic)     a failure or breakdown of any safety‑related devices, including a smoke alarm or pool fence; or

        (j)     an appliance, fitting or fixture provided by a residential rental provider, rooming house operator, caravan park owner, caravan owner or SDA provider that uses or supplies water and that is malfunctioning in a way that results or will result in a substantial amount of water being wasted; or

        (k)     any fault or damage that makes rented premises, a rooming house, a room, a caravan or an SDA enrolled dwelling unsafe or insecure, including—

              (i)     a pest infestation; or

              (ii)     the presence of mould or damp caused by or related to the building structure; or

        (l)     a serious fault in a lift or staircase; or

        (m)     any damage of a prescribed class;

S. 3(1) def. of urgent site repairs inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 5(1) (as amended by Nos 19/2019 s. 237(1), 47/2019 ss 5061(1)(2), 32/2020 s. 3, 1/2021 s. 87(1)).

"urgent site repairs" means any work prescribed as urgent repairs to—

        (a)     a site or a Part 4A site; or

        (b)     in the case of a caravan park, any structure or fixture owned by a caravan park owner on a site; or

        (c)     in the case of a Part 4A park, any structure or fixture owned by a site owner on a site; or

        (d)     any damage of a prescribed class;

S. 3(1) def. of VAHP declaration inserted by No. 40/2022 s. 9(3).

"VAHP declaration" has the same meaning as it has in the Housing Act 1983 ;

S. 3(1) def. of VAHP determination inserted by No. 40/2022 s. 9(3).

"VAHP determination" has the same meaning as it has in the Housing Act 1983 ;

"Valuer-General" means the Valuer-General under the Valuation of Land Act 1960 ;

S. 3(1) def. of Victorian Affordable Housing Programs inserted by No. 40/2022 s. 9(3).

"Victorian Affordable Housing Programs" has the same meaning as it has in the Housing Act 1983 ;

S. 3(1) def. of Victorian Affordable Housing Programs eligibility criteria inserted by No. 40/2022 s. 9(3).

"Victorian Affordable Housing Programs" eligibility criteria means the criteria for eligibility for rented premises under the Victorian Affordable Housing Programs as set out in a VAHP declaration or a VAHP determination;

S. 3(1) def. of visitor amended by Nos 67/2010 s. 5(7), 45/2018 s. 5(3)(m).

"visitor" in relation to—

        (a)     a renter, means a person on rented premises or premises in which the rented premises are situated with the permission of the renter; and

        (b)     a resident of a rooming house, means a person in a room or rooming house with the permission of the resident; and

        (c)     a resident of a caravan park, means a person on a site or in a caravan or caravan park with the permission of the resident; and

        (d)     a site tenant, means a person on a Part 4A site or in a Part 4A dwelling or Part 4A park with the permission of the site tenant.

S. 3(2) amended by No. 45/2018 s. 5(5).

    (2)     In this Act, a reference to a residential rental provider or a renter is a reference to a residential rental provider or a renter under a residential rental agreement to which this Act applies.

S. 3(3) inserted by No. 27/2001 s. 3(Sch. 1 item 10.2), substituted by No. 12/2008 s. 73(1)(Sch.  1 item 51.2).

    (3)     For the purposes of the definition of domestic partner in subsection (1)—

        (a)     "registered relationship" has the same meaning as in the Relationships Act 2008 ; and

        (b)     in determining whether persons who are not in a registered relationship are domestic partners of each other, all the circumstances of their relationship are to be taken into account, including any one or more of the matters referred to in section 35(2) of the Relationships Act 2008 as may be relevant in a particular case.

S. 3(4) inserted by No. 45/2002 s. 27(2).

    (4)     Nothing in this Act prevents a rooming house from consisting of more than one building.

S. 3A inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 6.



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