Ending tenancy due to domestic violence – Domestic Violence Termination Notice
Tenants in circumstances of domestic violence are able to end their tenancy by serving a Domestic Violence Termination Notice (DVTN), with relevant evidence, and vacating – for more information see Factsheet 12: Domestic violence and renting and Domestic violence and renting: Supplementary Guide.
For the DVTN to be valid, you will need to attach one of the following documents when you give it to the landlord/agent. You do not need to attach a document to the DVTN you give to any other co-tenants:
- a Declaration by Competent Person (NSW Fair Trading); or
- if you are not a victim-survivor of domestic violence, but your dependent child is, you can use a Declaration by Competent Person for Tenant’s Dependent Child (NSW Fair Trading); or
- an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO) (provisional, interim or final or made by a different state or New Zealand) protecting you from the domestic violence offender; or
- a certificate of conviction of the domestic violence offender for the domestic violence offence; or
- an injunction made by a family law court protecting you from the domestic violence offender.
Copy and paste the template letter below or download a copy from the link above. Remember to substitute your details for the details contained in [square brackets].
[Your name]
[A safe postal address]
[Date]
[Landlord’s or agent’s name]
[Landlord’s or agent’s address]
Dear . . . [landlord/agent/co-tenant]
Domestic Violence Termination Notice
(Division 3A Residential Tenancies Act 2010)
As I am in domestic violence circumstances, I give notice that I shall cease to be a tenant of
[Premises address]
on
[A date on or after this notice is given]
by serving this notice on you and vacating the premises.
Yours sincerely
[Your name / signature]
Attach one of the following:
▪ Declaration by a Competent Person; or
▪ Provisional, interim or final Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO); or
▪ Certificate of conviction of the domestic violence offender; or
▪ Family law injunction.
