Northern Territory Consolidated Acts

RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES ACT 1999

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

           Long Title

   PART 1--PRELIMINARY

   1.      Short title  
   2.      Commencement  
   3.      Objectives  
   4.      Definitions  
   4A.     Establishing experience of domestic violence  

   PART 2--APPLICATION OF AND LIABILITY UNDER ACT

           Division 1--Application

   5.      Act to bind Crown  
   6.      Agreements to which this Act does not apply  
   7.      Exemptions  
   8.      Persons 16 years of age may enter into tenancy agreements  

           Division 2--Liability for actions

   9.      Vicarious liability of landlord for agent and agent's employees  
   10.     Body corporate, partner's liability for actions of employee etc.  
   12.     Vicarious liability of tenant  

   PART 3--COMMISSIONER OF TENANCIES

   13.     Commissioner of Tenancies  
   14.     Delegation by Commissioner  
   15.     Annual report  
   16.     Tenancy Trust Account  
   17.     Immunity from liability  
   18.     Commissioner is enforcement agency  

   PART 4--TENANCY AGREEMENTS

   18A.    Applying for a tenancy  
   18B.    Keeping of tenant information  
   19.     Tenancy agreements to be written  
   20.     Contract to avoid Act prohibited  
   21.     Tenant not to give false information  
   22.     Harsh or unconscionable terms  
   24.     Landlord cannot impose extra charges or liabilities  

   PART 5--BONDS AND CONDITION REPORTS

           Division 1--Condition reports

   24A.    Condition reports generally  
   25.     Condition report at start of tenancy  
   26.     Acceptance of condition report with or without modifications  
   27.     Application to Tribunal for condition report if no agreement  
   28.     Condition report conclusive of condition at start of tenancy  
   28A.    Condition report has effect for continuation of tenancy  
   28B.    Landlord must not require tenant to vacate for condition report  

           Division 2--Bonds and security deposits

   29.     Bonds  
   30.     Increase in security deposit  
   31.     Receipt to be provided for security deposit  
   32.     Statement of security deposit details to be given to tenant  
   33.     Proportioning of security deposit between co-tenants  
   34.     Security deposit may be transferred to new agent  

   PART 6--RENT

           Division 1--Payment of rent

   35.     How and where rent to be paid  
   36.     Landlord to keep proper records of rent  
   37.     Landlord to give receipt for rent  
   38.     Tenant's goods cannot be seized to pay rent  

           Division 2--Amount of rent payable

   38A.    Amount of rent charged  
   39.     Rent in advance  
   40.     How rent accrues  
   41.     Increases in rent  
   42.     Tribunal may declare rent excessive  
   42A.    Tribunal may request Commissioner to pay for valuation of premises  
   43.     Repayment of rent paid in advance  
   46.     Reductions in rent by agreement  

   PART 7--REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE

           Division 1--Landlord's responsibilities

   47.     Premises not to be let unless habitable and safe  
   48.     Premises to be clean and suitable for habitation  
   49.     Premises to be secure  

           Division 2--Tenant's responsibilities

   51.     Cleanliness and damage  
   52.     Tenant's right to alter locks or security devices  
   54.     No illegal conduct or nuisance on premises etc.  
   55.     Alteration of premises or ancillary property  
   55A.    Minor modifications permitted for safety or security purposes  
   56.     Tenant to notify if premises to be vacant for more than 30 days  

           Division 3--Repairs

   57.     Landlord's obligation to repair  
   58.     Tenant to notify landlord if repairs required  
   59.     Maximum amount tenant may claim from landlord for repairs  
   60.     When tenant may make repairs  
   61.     When and how tenant may claim money for repairs  
   62.     Tenant to use nominated repairers  
   63.     Emergency repairs may be ordered by Tribunal  

   PART 8--TENANT'S RIGHT TO ENJOY PROPERTY WITHOUT DISTURBANCE

   64.     Vacant possession etc.  
   65.     Tenant to be able to use and enjoy property  
   65A.    Keeping pets  
   65B.    Applications to Tribunal  
   66.     Landlord not to interfere with tenant's enjoyment of premises  
   67.     Tenant's right of association  

   PART 9--LANDLORD'S RIGHT TO ENTER PREMISES DURING TENANCY

   68.     Entry only permitted in accordance with Act  
   69.     Collection of rent  
   70.     Inspection of premises  
   71.     Repairs and maintenance  
   72.     Emergency or significant damage caused or threatened  
   73.     Preparation of condition report  
   74.     Inspection by prospective tenants or purchasers  
   74A.    Authorisation to enter to produce images and videos and limitation on use of images and video  
   75.     Entry with consent  
   76.     Tenant to be present at entry  
   77.     Tenant not to impede entry  
   77A.    Tribunal may order tenant to let landlord enter premises  

   PART 10--CHANGE OF LANDLORD OR TENANT

   78.     Assignment or sublease of premises permitted with consent  
   79.     Consent to assignments and subletting  
   80.     Security deposit if lease assigned  
   81.     Unreasonable charges not to be made for assignment etc.  

   PART 11--TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT

           Division 1--When termination occurs

   82.     When termination occurs  
   83.     Fixed term tenancy becomes periodic if not terminated  
   84.     Tribunal may declare purported termination to be of no effect  
   85.     Termination of periodic tenancy effective despite inadequate notice  

           Division 2--Termination by landlord

   86.     If premises flooded, unsafe or uninhabitable  
   88A.    Where drug premises order made  
   89.     Periodic tenancy, other than for breach  
   90.     Fixed term tenancy  
   91.     Employment-related tenancy  

           Division 3--Termination by tenant

   92.     If premises flooded, unsafe or uninhabitable  
   92A.    If domestic violence experienced  
   94.     Periodic tenancy, other than for breach  
   95.     Fixed term tenancy  
   96.     If social housing tenancy becomes available  

           Division 3A--Notice to remedy breach

   96A.    Tenant's failure to pay rent  
   96B.    Other breach by tenant  
   96C.    Breach by landlord  

           Division 4--Termination by Tribunal

   97.     Serious breach by tenant  
   98.     Serious breach by landlord  
   99.     Hardship  
   99A.    Failure by tenant relating to acceptable behaviour agreement  
   99B.    Tenant no longer eligible person  
   100.    Conduct of tenant unacceptable  
   100A.   Failure to remedy breach after notice given  

           Division 5--Notice of intention to terminate

   101.    Form of notice of intention to terminate  
   102.    Notice may be withdrawn  

           Division 6--Repossession of premises

   103.    Tenant to give vacant possession  
   104.    Tribunal may make order for possession  
   105.    Tribunal may suspend order for possession  
   106.    Repossession of premises  
   107.    Right to possession not lost by forfeiture of head tenancy  

           Division 7--Abandoned premises and goods

   108.    Abandoned premises  
   109.    Abandoned goods  

   PART 12--RETURN OF BOND AT END OF TENANCY

           Division 1--Condition reports

   110.    Condition report at end of tenancy  
   111.    Condition report conclusive of condition of premises at end of tenancy  

           Division 2--Return of security deposit and interest

   112.    When landlord may keep security deposit  
   113.    Tribunal may deal with disputes relating to security deposits  
   114.    Interest on security deposit  
   115.    Claims on behalf of co-tenants  
   116.    If person owed security cannot be found  
   116A.   Tenancy Trust Account offence  

   PART 13--FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

           Division 1--Rates and charges

   117.    Payment of electricity, gas or water charges  
   118.    No charges payable unless specified in agreement  
   119.    Tribunal may determine charges payable  

           Division 2--Compensation

   120.    Duty of mitigation  
   121.    Compensation if tenant fails to vacate premises  
   122.    Compensation and civil penalties  

   PART 14--TENANCY DATABASES

   123.    Definitions  
   124.    Application of Criminal Code  
   125.    Application of Part  
   126.    Notice of usual use of database  
   127.    Notice of listing if database used  
   128.    Listing can be made only for particular breaches by particular persons  
   129.    Further restriction on listing  
   130.    Ensuring quality of listing – landlord's obligation  
   131.    Ensuring quality of listing – database operator's obligation  
   132.    Providing copy of personal information listed  
   133.    Keeping personal information listed  
   134.    Powers of Tribunal  
   135.    Claims of privilege under this Part  
   136.    No internal review under this Part  

   PART 15--TERMINATION FOR PURPOSES UNDER THE HOUSING ACT 1982

           Division 1--Application to public housing

   137.    Application  

           Division 2--Renovation, replacement or demolition of public housing

   138.    Termination for renovation, replacement or demolition  
   139.    Process for termination  
   140.    Transitional accommodation  
   141.    Right to possession  
   142.    Security deposit  
   143.    Disapplication of section 84  

           Division 3--Relocating tenant in public housing

   144.    Grounds for relocation  
   145.    Process for termination  
   146.    Right to possession  
   147.    Submissions on relocation  
   148.    Security deposit  
   149.    Tribunal's additional power under section 84  

   PART 16--NOTICES

   154.    Service of notices  
   155.    Notice to one tenant or landlord sufficient  
   156.    Right to be notified of change of landlord's name or address  
   157.    Notice or payment to landlord's agent sufficient  

   PART 17--MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

   157A.   Approved forms  
   158.    Regulations  

   PART 18--TRANSITIONAL MATTERS

           Division 1--Application of former Tenancy Act

   159.    Definitions  
   160.    Continued application of Tenancy Act  
   161.    Dispute resolution and appeals to take place under this Act  
   162.    Transitional matters relating to security deposits  
   163.    Transitional matters relating to determinations and appeals  

           Division 2--Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2010

   165.    Application of section 122  

           Division 3--Caravan Parks Act 2012

   166.    Application to certain agreements at commencement  

           Division 4--Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Conferral of Jurisdiction Amendments) (No. 2) Act 2014

   167.    Definitions  
   168.    Appeal against Commissioner's decision made before commencement  
   169.    Appeal against court's decision made before commencement  
   170.    Commissioner's or Local Court's decision made after commencement  
   171.    Appeals before Local Court  

           Division 5--Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2018

   172.    Definition  
   173.    Transitional provision for Part 14  
   174.    Jurisdiction of Tribunal for Tenancy Act leases  

           Division 6--Residential Tenancies Legislation Amendment Act 2020

   175.    Keeping pets  

           Division 7--Transitional Matters for Residential Tenancies Legislation Amendment Act 2023

   176.    Definition  
   177.    Saving of section 45  
   178.    Application of amendment to section 89  
   179.    Application of amendment to section 90  
   180.    Application of amendment to section 128  
           ENDNOTES