AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

LANDLORD AND TENANT ORDINANCE 1972

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

No. 36 of 1972

	The proposed Landlord and Tenant Ordinance 1972 will abolish completely the remedy of distress for rent in the Australian Capital Territory.

	Generally speaking, distress is the right of the landlord to seize anything on leased property, including goods that do not belong to the tenant and to sell the goods seized in satisfaction of rent due and unpaid.

	The distress provisions of the Landlord and Tenant Ordinance as amended will bind the Crown.

	The amendments will not affect a distress made before the commencement of the proposed Ordinance.

          R.J.H.
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(Minister’s Initials)