Kings v Chand
[2019] NSWCATAP 180
At a glance
Source factsCourt
NCAT Appeal Panel
Decision date
2019-05-15
Catchwords
- RT 18/44217
Source
Original judgment source is linked above.
Catchwords
Judgment (14 paragraphs)
REASONS FOR DECISION
- In a decision made on 28 February 2018, the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) concluded that a residential tenancy agreement entered into by landlord Greg Kings and tenant Shaveen Chand on 10 July 2018 ("the agreement") was void and unenforceable because Mr Kings had failed to obtain an "occupation certificate" under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) ("EPA Act") in respect of the premises the subject of the agreement ("the subject premises"). The Tribunal ordered Mr Kings to reimburse Mr Chand for the amount he had paid for rent, gas, water and electricity, being $5200. Mr Kings now appeals from that decision.
- A two-bedroom "granny flat", the subject premises, was at the back of a three-bedroom house in Oran Park NSW ("the main premises"). A wall separated the subject premises from the main premises. Mr Kings claims, and Mr Shand disputes, that that wall complied with all relevant requirements of the EPA Act and the Building Code of Australia. In these reasons we will refer to the main premises and the subject premises collectively as "the property".
- On 3 October 2018, Mr Chand notified Mr Kings of his intention to terminate the agreement. Two days later he vacated the subject premises. The agreement was for a fixed term of six months, ending on 8 January 2019.
- On 11 October 2019, Mr Chand made an application to NCAT asserting that the agreement was unlawful because the subject premises were not "Council approved" and that Mr Kings had interfered with his "quiet enjoyment" of the premises. Mr Chand sought return of the bond and repayment of the rent and charges for utilities paid by him under the agreement. Four days later Mr Kings made an application to NCAT seeking a "break fee" of $2,250. Under the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW) where a tenant "abandons" residential premises before the end of a fixed term tenancy agreement, the Tribunal may order the tenant to pay compensation to the landlord.