If you need or chose to stay in your home, you will find on this page information about your rights as a tenant and finding emergency or refuge accommodation, as well as things you might want to consider if you own property with the person using violence. It is also important to consider developing a safety plan to help you stay safe in your home.
Renting
New laws introduced in 2019 in Western Australia provide a range of options to people experiencing domestic violence on managing their tenancy agreement, including being able to terminate a tenancy agreement (lease) on domestic violence grounds. Remember, whatever path you choose, your safety is paramount and there are support agencies around to help you.
The information below has been directly sourced from Safe Tenancy WA. We recommend you also seek independent legal advice.
Tenants affected by family and domestic violence (FDV) in WA are now able to:
- GO – leave a tenancy agreement without going to court and with as little as seven (7) days’ notice (you can leave right away for safety but will need to pay rent until the end of the notice period)
- STAY – apply to court to have a perpetrator’s name removed from a lease
- SECURE – Make a rental home safer through lock changes or security upgrades
- RESOLVE – Sort out disputes about property damage, unpaid rent or bonds
- Seek removal from, or avoid being listed on, a tenancy database if the listing was because of FDV.
Visit our Terminating Your Lease section to learn more.
Depending on your financial circumstances, you may also be eligible for rental assistance or priority housing assistance.
Emergency Housing and Refuge Accommodation
If the domestic violence in your home escalates or there is a violent incident and you need to leave immediately, use the DVassist online directory to find emergency housing and refuge accommodation, women’s and men’s shelters, or short stay or low-cost accommodation options. Alternatively, you might be able to ask trusted friends or family to stay with them for a while. To keep you and your children safe, do not let the person using violence know where you are.
Property Ownership
If you and your partner own your home and/or other property and assets, you may want to obtain financial and/or legal advice to understand your rights and options.
Restraining Orders and Property
Regardless of whether you are renting, own your property (with or without the person using violence), are homeless or in temporary accommodation, if you or your property is threatened, harassed, or intimidated and you are concerned that it will continue, then you can apply to have a Restraining Order taken out against the person concerned. A Restraining Order prevents the person from coming near you or your property. It is a criminal offence to disobey the conditions of the Restraining Order. You can apply for a Restraining Order online or via the court.
