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Residential Tenancies Act 1997
44Significant hardship
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44 Significant hardship
(1) On application by a tenant, the ACAT may terminate a fixed term
agreement in accordance with this section if satisfied that—
(a) the tenant would suffer significant hardship were the agreement
to continue; and
(b) the level of hardship is such that it is appropriate and just to
terminate the agreement during its fixed term.
Example—significant hardship
Chris and Jamie share premises under a residential tenancy agreement. The
Magistrates Court makes an interim order under the Family Violence Act 2016 that
prohibits Chris (the respondent) from being on premises where Jamie (the protected
person) lives. Jamie wishes to end the residential tenancy agreement and leave the
premises. If the agreement were to continue, Jamie would suffer significant
hardship.
(i) the tenant would suffer significant hardship if the
agreement were not terminated within 8 weeks after the
would suffer if the agreement were terminated within 8
weeks after that day;
(c) specify the day, less than 8 weeks after the making of the
(d) give the lessor the notice of the proposed termination that is
reasonable in the circumstances.
(b) the ACAT is not satisfied about the matters mentioned in
(c) taking into consideration the need to comply with paragraph (d),
specify the day, not less than 8 weeks after the making of the
(d) give the lessor not less than 8 weeks notice of the proposed
termination.