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Residential Tenancies Act 1997
51AThreats, harassment, intimidation or abuse by tenant
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51A Threats, harassment, intimidation or abuse by tenant
(1) This section applies if a lessor believes that a tenant has engaged in
any of the following conduct against a lessor or related person:
(a) conduct that is threatening, intimidating, harassing or abusive;
(b) conduct that the lessor or related person is reasonably likely to
find threatening, intimidating, harassing or abusive.
(2) The lessor may apply to the ACAT for a termination and possession
(3) The lessor must, not later than 14 days before making an application
under subsection (2), give the tenant written notice that includes the
details of the conduct mentioned in subsection (1) that the lessor
believes the tenant has engaged in.
(4) On receiving an application for a termination and possession order,
the registrar must list the hearing before the ACAT not earlier than
21 days after the day the lessor gives the tenant notice in accordance
with subsection (3).
(5) The ACAT may make—
(a) a termination and possession order if satisfied that—
(i) the tenant has engaged in the conduct mentioned in
subsection (1); and
(ii) at least 21 days has passed since the lessor gave the tenant
notice in accordance with subsection (3); and
(iii) it is appropriate to make the order; and
(b) any other order the ACAT considers appropriate.
(6) If the ACAT makes a termination and possession order under
subsection (5) (a), the ACAT may suspend the operation of the
termination and possession order for a stated period of not more than
21 days if satisfied that—
(a) the tenant would suffer significant hardship if the operation of
the order was not suspended for the period; and
would be suffered by the lessor if the operation of the order was
not suspended for the period; and
(c) it is appropriate to suspend the operation of the order for the
(7) In deciding whether it is appropriate to make a termination and
possession order, the ACAT must take the following into account:
(a) the nature, frequency and duration of the conduct;
(b) the circumstances of the conduct, including any behaviour of the
lessor or related person;
(c) whether the conduct is likely to continue;
(d) whether the tenant has—
(i) stopped the conduct; or
(ii) agreed to stop the conduct and is reasonably likely to stop
the conduct in accordance with the agreement;
(e) any family violence order or protection order made against the
tenant or another person living at the premises by the
Magistrates Court;
(f) any order under a law of a State or a foreign country that has the
same effect, or substantially the same effect, as an order
mentioned in paragraph (e);
Note State includes the Northern Territory (see Legislation Act, dict,
pt 1).
(g) the effect of the conduct on the lessor;
(h) whether any other order under this Act is reasonably available;
an order under s 83
(8) In this section:
related person means—
(a) an agent or representative of the lessor; or
(b) a family member of the lessor.