Explanatory note

This note is not part of the regulations, but is intended to indicate their general effect.

These regulations, which come into force on 20 June 2011, amend the Residential Tenancies (Fees) Regulations 1998 (the principal regulations) by removing an outdated method for the payment of the fee for filing an application with the Tenancy Tribunal under section 86 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.

Currently, regulation 3(b) of the principal regulations provides that the Tenancy Tribunal application fee may be paid by way of prepaid stamps. These regulations revoke regulation 3(b).

On or after the commencement of these regulations, the Tenancy Tribunal application fee may be paid by deposit into a bank account nominated by the Department of Building and Housing or by any other method determined in advance by the chief executive of that department.

These regulations also clarify that the Tenancy Tribunal application fee does not apply to an application that relates to a unit title dispute within the meaning of section 171 of the Unit Titles Act 2010. The fee for an application that relates to such a dispute is set under the Unit Titles (Unit Title Disputes—Fees) Regulations 2011.

Finally, these regulations make minor changes to the principal regulations. They include changing the amounts of the various fees set by the principal regulations to reflect the increase in goods and services tax to 15%.