Victorian Current Acts

[Index] [Table] [Search] [Search this Act] [Notes] [Noteup] [Previous] [Next] [Download] [Help]

RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES ACT 1997 - SECT 498AD

Pecuniary penalties

    (1)     The Magistrates' Court may order a person to pay into the Residential Tenancies Fund a pecuniary penalty if the court is satisfied that the person—

        (a)     has contravened a pecuniary penalty provision; or

        (b)     has attempted to contravene a pecuniary penalty provision; or

        (c)     has intentionally assisted, encouraged or directed another person to contravene a pecuniary penalty provision; or

        (d)     entered into an agreement, arrangement or understanding with another person to contravene a pecuniary penalty provision; or

        (e)     has induced, or attempted to induce, a person, whether by threats or promises or otherwise, to contravene a pecuniary penalty provision; or

        (f)     has been in any way, directly or indirectly, knowingly concerned in, or party to, the contravention by a person of a pecuniary penalty provision; or

        (g)     has conspired with others to contravene a pecuniary penalty provision.

    (2)     The Magistrates' Court may order the person to pay a pecuniary penalty for each act or omission under subsection (1) as the court considers appropriate.

    (3)     In determining the appropriate pecuniary penalty, the Magistrates' Court must have regard to the following—

        (a)     the nature and extent of the act or omission and of any loss or damage suffered as a result of the act or omission;

        (b)     the circumstances in which the act or omission took place;

        (c)     whether the person has previously been found by a court in any proceeding under this Division to have engaged in any similar conduct.

    (4)     The pecuniary penalty payable under this section for a contravention of a pecuniary penalty provision must not exceed—

        (a)     for a pecuniary penalty provision set out in Part 1 of Schedule 1A—

              (i)     in the case of a natural person—$40 000;

              (ii)     in the case of a body corporate—$200 000;

        (b)     for a pecuniary penalty provision set out in Part 2 of Schedule 1A—

              (i)     in the case of a natural person—$60 000;

              (ii)     in the case of a body corporate—$300 000.

    (5)     If a person's conduct constitutes a contravention of 2 or more pecuniary penalty provisions—

        (a)     a proceeding may be commenced under this section against the person in relation to the contravention of any one or more of the provisions; and

        (b)     the person is not liable to more than one pecuniary penalty under this section for the same conduct.

S. 498AE inserted by No. 45/2018 s. 321.



AustLII: Copyright Policy | Disclaimers | Privacy Policy | Feedback