National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009

If:

a liability is entered against a lessee under a consumer lease; and

the lessee, by written notice to the lessor, disputes the liability;

A written notice need not be given if the lessor agrees with the lessee as to the disputed amount and gives the lessee a written notice advising of the agreed liability.

In the case of a consumer lease for which a statement of account is given, the notice of dispute must be given to the lessor within 30 days after the day the lessee receives the statement of account in which the amount, or part of that amount, is first shown.

In the case of a consumer lease in respect of which a statement of account need not be and is not given for the period to which the disputed liability relates, the notice of dispute must be given to the lessor not later than 3 months after the day the lease ends.

The lessor must not begin enforcement proceedings on the basis of a default arising from the disputed liability until the period of 30 days, starting on the day the lessor gives the written explanation or advice as to agreement, has expired.

A lessee or lessor may apply to the court to have the court determine a disputed liability and, if satisfied that a liability is genuinely disputed, the court may determine the matters in dispute and make such consequential orders as it thinks just.

If an application is made to the court under this section within 30 days after the day the written explanation is given, the lessor must not, without leave of the court, begin enforcement proceedings on the basis of a default arising from the disputed liability.

Subsections (5) and (7) are offences of strict liability.

For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

This section does not affect a dispute not dealt with, or not arising, under this section.