{"id":8383,"date":"2018-02-22T04:00:12","date_gmt":"2018-02-22T04:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/tenant-rights-a-guide-to-every-australian-state\/"},"modified":"2018-02-22T04:00:12","modified_gmt":"2018-02-22T04:00:12","slug":"tenant-rights-a-guide-to-every-australian-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/tenant-rights-a-guide-to-every-australian-state\/","title":{"rendered":"Tenant rights: a guide to every Australian state"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"\">\n<p><strong>If you think the rules and regulations around tenant rights can be somewhat confusing, try moving interstate.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>While many laws are the same or similar no matter which state you\u2019re in, there are many that differ slightly or substantially, so it pays to know where you stand based on where you\u2019re living.<\/p>\n<p>Here are four of the major differences from state to state.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_281081\" style=\"max-width: 2010px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" readability=\"34\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/2000x1501-fit%2Cprogressive\/2018\/02\/08164513\/renters-rights_2000x1500.jpg?resize=2000%2C1501&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"renters rights\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1501\" class=\"size-full wp-image-281081\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/200x150-fit,progressive\/2018\/02\/08164513\/renters-rights_2000x1500.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/400x300-fit,progressive\/2018\/02\/08164513\/renters-rights_2000x1500.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/600x450-fit,progressive\/2018\/02\/08164513\/renters-rights_2000x1500.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/800x600-fit,progressive\/2018\/02\/08164513\/renters-rights_2000x1500.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/1000x751-fit,progressive\/2018\/02\/08164513\/renters-rights_2000x1500.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/1200x901-fit,progressive\/2018\/02\/08164513\/renters-rights_2000x1500.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/1400x1051-fit,progressive\/2018\/02\/08164513\/renters-rights_2000x1500.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/1600x1201-fit,progressive\/2018\/02\/08164513\/renters-rights_2000x1500.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, (max-width: 939px) 60vw, (max-width: 1112px) 70vw, 800px\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tentant\u2019s rights differ from state-to-state, so it pays to look into the rules and regulations relative to your state. Picture: Getty<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Notices to vacate<\/h2>\n<p>In <strong>Queensland<\/strong>, a landlord must give you at least two months notice to end a tenancy early, but only if it\u2019s a periodic lease. If there\u2019s a fixed term in place, as the tenant you have the right to see the agreement through, unless you\u2019ve breached the agreement or mutually agree to end it early.<\/p>\n<p><strong>New South Wales<\/strong> landlords can\u2019t end a fixed-term agreement before the end of the agreement, unless they have specific grounds for doing so (i.e. you\u2019ve breached the agreement). If they wish to give you notice at the end of the fixed agreement, it must be at least 30 days in advance, however if the fixed term has ended and your lease is periodic, you must receive 90 days. If you breach your agreement at any time, you can receive just 14 days notice.<\/p>\n<p>Like most states, <strong>Victorian<\/strong> renters can\u2019t be asked to vacate a rental property before the end of a fixed-term lease, unless they\u2019ve broken the terms of that lease. Once the fixed term has ended and the lease is month-to-month or an alternative period, in most cases a landlord must give you at least 60 days notice and must provide a reason for the notice (for example that they plan to sell the property or have their own family move in). If they cannot provide a reason, the notice must be 120 days.<\/p>\n<p>In <strong>South Australia<\/strong>, a tenant must receive at least 28 days notice if they\u2019re being asked to leave at the end of a fixed-term lease, or at least 60 days notice if they plan to sell, demolish or occupy the house during a periodic lease or after the fixed-term lease has expired. If they cannot <a href=\"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/tips-for-house-price-negotiation\/\">offer<\/a> a reason, it must be at least 90 days.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Western Australian<\/strong> tenants must receive a minimum of 30 days notice at the end of of a fixed-term tenancy, or during a periodic tenancy if the property is to be sold, and 60 days if the landlord wishes to end the tenancy without a reason.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Watch: Issues facing Australian renters<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Pets<\/h2>\n<p>Ah, the murky, murky waters that are pet ownership as a renter.<\/p>\n<p>Rights around pets are among the most sensitive and discussed of all tenant rights, but the good news is that in some states, it\u2019s getting easier to bring Ralph or Whiskers with you when you move house.<\/p>\n<p>In <strong>Victoria<\/strong>, it could soon be easier to own a pet in a rental property, with the State Government introducing reforms that would make it difficult for landlords to refuse pets. As it currently stands, the Residential Tenancies Act doesn\u2019t preclude pets, however many landlords have \u201cno pet\u201d clauses in the lease, so you\u2019ll need to get their permission first.<\/p>\n<p>In <strong>New South Wales<\/strong>, there\u2019s nothing in the state\u2019s Residential Tenancies Act that says you can\u2019t have a pet, but landlords can insert their own pet-preventing clauses into leasing agreements.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Queenslanders<\/strong> have it tough \u2013 they must get written approval to have a pet in a rental property. And the state\u2019s Residential Tenancies Authority estimates only about 10% of landlords currently allow pets in their property. Considering around 63% of residents have pets, that can make securing a rental a very challenging proposition.<\/p>\n<p>In <strong>Western Australia<\/strong>, you can only keep pets if you\u2019ve got your landlord\u2019s permission, and it\u2019s also the only state that allows landlords to charge you a \u201cpet bond\u201d of up to $260, to cover cleaning and fumigating when you vacate, if required.<\/p>\n<p>And in <strong>South Australia<\/strong>, you\u2019re also only permitted to have a pet if you\u2019ve got your landlord\u2019s consent.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_274158\" style=\"max-width: 2010px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" readability=\"32\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/2000x1500-fit%2Cprogressive\/2018\/02\/23170745\/cat-stains-on-couch_2000x1500.jpg?resize=2000%2C1500&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"cat stains on couch\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" class=\"size-full wp-image-274158\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/200x150-fit,progressive\/2018\/02\/23170745\/cat-stains-on-couch_2000x1500.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/400x300-fit,progressive\/2018\/02\/23170745\/cat-stains-on-couch_2000x1500.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/600x450-fit,progressive\/2018\/02\/23170745\/cat-stains-on-couch_2000x1500.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/800x600-fit,progressive\/2018\/02\/23170745\/cat-stains-on-couch_2000x1500.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/1000x750-fit,progressive\/2018\/02\/23170745\/cat-stains-on-couch_2000x1500.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/1200x900-fit,progressive\/2018\/02\/23170745\/cat-stains-on-couch_2000x1500.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/1400x1050-fit,progressive\/2018\/02\/23170745\/cat-stains-on-couch_2000x1500.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/1600x1200-fit,progressive\/2018\/02\/23170745\/cat-stains-on-couch_2000x1500.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, (max-width: 939px) 60vw, (max-width: 1112px) 70vw, 800px\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">The good news is it\u2019s becoming easier to rent with pets. Picture: Getty<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Landlord access for inspections<\/h2>\n<p>Landlords in <strong>New South Wales<\/strong> must give you at least seven days written notice for routine inspections, and can conduct as many as four inspections in any 12-month period.<\/p>\n<p>In <strong>Victoria<\/strong>, as a tenant you\u2019re only required to receive 24 hours written notice, but inspections can only occur every six months, and not within the first three months of the tenancy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Queensland<\/strong> landlords must give you at least seven days notice for a routine inspection, and may conduct only one inspection every three months.<\/p>\n<p>In <strong>South Australia<\/strong>, you must receive between seven and 14 days written notice from your landlord, and they\u2019re allowed to inspect far more often than in other states \u2013 not more than once every four weeks.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a similar time period in <strong>Western Australia<\/strong>: seven to 14 days notice, but not more than four inspections per year.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_243525\" style=\"max-width: 2010px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" readability=\"34\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/2000x1500-fit%2Cprogressive\/2017\/11\/03155350\/rental-inspection_2000x1500.jpg?resize=2000%2C1500&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"rental inspection\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" class=\"size-full wp-image-243525\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/200x150-fit,progressive\/2017\/11\/03155350\/rental-inspection_2000x1500.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/400x300-fit,progressive\/2017\/11\/03155350\/rental-inspection_2000x1500.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/600x450-fit,progressive\/2017\/11\/03155350\/rental-inspection_2000x1500.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/800x600-fit,progressive\/2017\/11\/03155350\/rental-inspection_2000x1500.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/1000x750-fit,progressive\/2017\/11\/03155350\/rental-inspection_2000x1500.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/1200x900-fit,progressive\/2017\/11\/03155350\/rental-inspection_2000x1500.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/1400x1050-fit,progressive\/2017\/11\/03155350\/rental-inspection_2000x1500.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/images\/1600x1200-fit,progressive\/2017\/11\/03155350\/rental-inspection_2000x1500.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, (max-width: 939px) 60vw, (max-width: 1112px) 70vw, 800px\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Landlord access for inspections vary greatly, with seven days notice in New South Wales and just 24 hours for Victoria. Picture: Getty<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Emergency landlord access<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Victoria<\/strong> is the only state that requires landlords to give notice (24 hours) and gain consent in order to enter a rental property for an emergency.<\/p>\n<p>In other states, landlords can enter the premises at any time, provided there is a genuine emergency, there are urgent repairs required, the landlord has serious concerns for the welfare of a tenant and has made attempts to gain consent, or if they believe the property has been abandoned.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;\n                  <\/p><\/div>\n<p><a hre=\"https:\/\/www.realestate.com.au\/advice\/tenant-rights-in-every-australian-state\/\">Realestate au <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you think the rules and regulations around tenant rights can be somewhat confusing, try moving &hellip; <a title=\"Tenant rights: a guide to every Australian state\" class=\"hm-read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/tenant-rights-a-guide-to-every-australian-state\/\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Tenant rights: a guide to every Australian state<\/span>Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8384,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4],"tags":[617,289,1007,1421,41,818,678,3052,907,3053],"class_list":["post-8383","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opportunities-in-new-markets","tag-house","tag-landlord","tag-owners","tag-pets","tag-property","tag-real","tag-rental","tag-tenancy","tag-tenant","tag-tenants"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/renters-rights_2000x1500.jpg?fit=2000%2C1501&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8383","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8383"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8383\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8384"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8383"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8383"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amazingproperty.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8383"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}