NSW tenants, landlords and property managers can now utilise a free tenancy dispute resolution service which aims to resolve residential tenancy disputes rather than having them heard by the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal (CTTT) which will be known as the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) as of 1st January 2014.
Areas where Fair Trading is able to assist in resolving disputes includes:
- repairs and maintenance
- non-urgent health and safety issues
- alterations and additions
- access to the premises including inspections
- non-compliance with the tenancy agreement
- water saving devices and smoke alarms
- provisions of correct notices
- ending a tenancy
- breaking a lease, and
- condition reports
Rather than have parties go through the standard initial conciliation process at tribunal, this new resolution service seeks to resolve disputes through a teleconference or onsite meeting. This method relies on the co-operation of both parties and their willingness to reach an agreement out of court – Fair Trading recommends that parties involved in a dispute are open to various suggestions of how to settle the dispute.
In any instance where Fair Trading cannot help the parties reach a mutual agreement in regards to the resolution of their dispute, either party can lodge a claim with NCAT. Additionally, NCAT will continue to deal with all other areas of residential tenancy that Fair Trading does not handle.
Visit the Fair Trading – Residential Tenancy Disputes page, or call 13 32 20 for more information about the free dispute resolution service.
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