The Victoria government has included a new provision in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), which represents the most comprehensive change to residential tenancies in 20 years.
The government added the Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) in the RTA, funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The provision became part of the RTA in July 2019.
In order to receive funding to live in SDA, a resident must have either an extreme functional impairment requiring an SDA response, or a very high support needs where an SDA response is appropriate.
Within six months of the laws coming into effect, SDA residents and providers must have either a residential tenancy agreement or an SDA residency agreement. Providers must also ensure that their accommodation meets the NDIS requirements and is enrolled with the NDIS.
SDA providers must give residents the related information statement seven days before entering into an agreement, and a copy of the agreement. They must also explain the agreement and its information to residents.
