PROPERTY NOT FIT FOR HABITATION OR NOT AVAILABLE DUE TO GOVERNMENT ACTION


In exceptional circumstances where the property is not fit for habitation (for example, an internal wall has collapsed or the roof has blown off) or is unavailable due to Government action (an area has been evacuated for quarantine purposes), the lessor has two options:

• the lessor can terminate the tenancy agreement by giving the tenant one week's notice. The agreement terminates at the end of the week.
• if the lessor doesn't give the tenant notice, then the agreement continues. However, if the tenant doesn't occupy the property for the period when the property is uninhabitable, the tenant is not liable to pay rent. When the tenant resumes occupancy of the property, the tenant must continue to pay rent.