Tenant Information

During a tenancy, the tenant has the right to enjoy the property as their own home.

The tenant and property manager/owner have responsibilities throughout the tenancy.

Knowing the rights and responsibilities of tenants and property managers/owners – and what to do in certain situations – can help make a tenancy run smoothly. 

Tenants should be aware of certain rules and guidelines which will help avoid problems during the tenancy.

These include:

• Fixtures and structural changes 
• Inclusions 
• Routine Inspections
• Quiet Enjoyment
• House rules in rooming accommodation

When a tenant is renting a property or room, it is their home. The property manager/owner may need to enter for an inspection, repair or a viewing, but it is important that the tenant’s privacy is respected.

The property manager/owner can only enter the property for a valid reason and if the correct notice has been given using the Entry Notice (Form 9).

Entry must be between 8am and 6pm Monday to Saturday.

Entry is only permitted outside these hours, on a Sunday or public holidays if the tenant agrees.

The property manager/owner must specify a time, or 2-hour window, for a general inspection and must enter the property within that time.

This time frame does not apply to other people (e.g. trades person or a property valuer).

• in an emergency
• if the property manager/owner believes entry is necessary to protect the property from damage about to happen
• if the tenant verbally agrees with the entry, and
• to carry out site maintenance in a caravan park (if specified in the tenancy agreement)

If entry problems cannot be resolved by the tenant and property manager discussing the issue, the RTA’s dispute resolution service may be able to help.

The amount of rent, and how it should be paid, must be stated in the tenancy agreement.

There are rules for rent increases and in some circumstances the rent may be diseased.

There are also rules about the non- payment of rent.

• The tenant may have to pay for electricity and/or gas (and arrange connection).
• A tenant may be charged for water if the property is individually metered (or water is delivered by vehicle) and the rental
• property is water efficient.
• There are a number of payment options for properties with solar power.
• The property manager/owner pays for rates, property insurance and land tax.
• The tenant pays for contents insurance (if required for their possessions).