7 Tenant Rights Most Australians Don't Know They Have

In every Australian state and territory, your rental bond must be lodged with an independent government authority within a set timeframe after you pay it. Your landlord cannot simply keep it in their own bank account.

This matters enormously. It means that at the end of your tenancy, your landlord cannot withhold your bond without making a formal claim — and if you dispute that claim, a tribunal decides, not the landlord. The bond authority will not release the money unless both parties agree, or a tribunal orders it.

If a landlord or agent ever tells you they are keeping your bond, or tries to negotiate around the lodgement process, that is a serious red flag.

As of 2026, landlords in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and the ACT cannot end a tenancy without a valid reason. This is called the abolition of no-grounds eviction.

Before these reforms, a landlord could legally terminate a tenancy at the end of a fixed term simply by not renewing — with no reason required. Most states have now changed this. A landlord must now have a specific, legislated reason to end your tenancy — such as the property being sold, the landlord genuinely moving in, or the tenant breaching the agreement.

Western Australia and Tasmania are the main exceptions — these states still permit no-grounds evictions. If you are renting in WA or Tasmania, you have less security of tenure than renters in other states.

Since reforms rolled out across most states in 2022–2024, landlords are limited to one rent increase per 12 months. This applies to both fixed-term and periodic (rolling) tenancies in NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, ACT, and NT.

Many tenants are still unaware of this and accept multiple increases per year without questioning them. If your landlord proposes a second increase within 12 months of the last one, it is invalid and you do not have to pay it.

Rent increases also require written notice — typically 60 days, and 90 days in Victoria. A verbal rent increase notice does not count.

Pet laws have changed significantly across Australia. Victoria, the ACT, and Queensland have effectively abolished blanket no-pet clauses — landlords must now consider pet requests and can only refuse on specific, prescribed grounds. NSW and SA have also introduced requirements for landlords to respond to pet requests within set timeframes, with deemed approval applying in some circumstances.

A clause in your lease that says simply "no pets allowed" may be unenforceable in your state. If you want to keep a pet, it is worth putting in a formal request rather than assuming the answer is no.

Your rental property is your home, and landlords do not have an automatic right to enter it whenever they choose. Routine inspections require written notice — typically seven to fourteen days depending on your state. Maintenance visits generally require 24 to 48 hours notice.

Unannounced entry (outside of genuine emergencies like fires or gas leaks) is unlawful in every Australian state. If your landlord or property manager repeatedly enters without notice, you can write to them demanding compliance with notice requirements — and if it continues, apply to the tenancy tribunal for a compliance order.

Landlords can only claim against your bond for damage beyond normal use — not for the natural deterioration that happens in any home over time. Scuffed walls at shoulder height, worn carpet in a busy hallway, faded curtains, and minor nail holes from hanging pictures are all fair wear and tear.

Tribunals consistently rule against landlords who try to charge for these things. If you receive an end-of-lease claim that includes items you believe are fair wear and tear, dispute it — and reference the length of your tenancy as relevant context.

Landlords cannot inspect your property as frequently as they like. In NSW, VIC, and QLD, routine inspections are limited to once every three months. In WA, the limit is four times per year with at least 30 days between inspections.

If your agent is scheduling monthly inspections or turning up more frequently than your state allows, you can formally object. Excessive inspections can constitute a breach of your right to quiet enjoyment of the property — and in some cases may support a claim for breach of the tenancy agreement.