RESOURCE

Domestic violence and renting: Supplementary Guide

Everyone deserves a safe home. Tenancy law can help victim-survivors of domestic violence in a number of ways. For a summary, start by reading Factsheet 12: Domestic violence and renting which discusses:

  • How to end a tenancy in a domestic violence situation
  • What you can do if you want to stay at the property
  • What to do if there is property damage or you have left things behind

This Supplementary Guide provides additional information on Domestic Violence Termination Notices, Declarations by Competent Persons, and other options available to victim-survivors under tenancy law. It also summarises legal options available to co-tenants, sub-tenants and head-tenants.

Your local Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service can give you advice about staying at or leaving your rented home. Tenant Advocates prioritise survivors of domestic violence.

You may want to seek assistance to get an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) against the offender. There are two types of AVOs – Apprehended Personal Violence Orders (APVOs) and Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVOs). APVOs are made between individuals who are not in a domestic relationship (e.g. coworkers), ADVOs protect individuals in a domestic relationship. For more information about domestic violence, AVOs, and other aspects of family law, see the resources at Women’s Legal Service NSW.

 

 

Guide updated August 2024


This resource is intended as a guide to the law and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice. It applies to people who live in, or are affected by, the law as it applies in New South Wales, Australia © Tenants’ Union NSW.