Renting in Australia — FAQ

A landlord can make a claim against your bond if there is damage beyond fair wear and tear, unpaid rent, or cleaning costs at the end of tenancy — but they cannot simply refuse to return it without a valid reason. If you disagree with a bond claim, you can apply to your state's tenancy tribunal for the bond to be released. Keep a copy of the ingoing condition report and photos as evidence. For advice specific to your situation, contact your state tenancy authority or a community legal centre.

In most Australian states and territories, the maximum bond is four weeks rent for an unfurnished property. South Australia allows up to six weeks for furnished properties, Victoria caps it at one month's rent, and Western Australia may allow an additional pet bond. Your landlord must lodge the bond with the relevant state bond authority within a specified timeframe — it is not held by the landlord. If charged more than the legal maximum, you can report this to your state tenancy authority. For advice specific to your situation, contact your state tenancy authority or a community legal centre.

Fair wear and tear refers to the gradual, reasonable deterioration of a property that occurs through normal, everyday use over time — things like minor scuffs on walls, carpet wearing down in heavily trafficked areas, or faded paint. This is distinct from damage, which is caused by carelessness, accidents, or misuse. Landlords cannot charge tenants for fair wear and tear at the end of a tenancy. What counts as fair wear and tear depends on factors like how long you lived there and the age of the items. For advice specific to your situation, contact your state tenancy authority or a community legal centre.

Landlords in all Australian states have a legal obligation to keep the property in a reasonable state of repair. If your landlord refuses to act after a written request, you can apply to your state's tenancy tribunal for an urgent repair order or compensation. For urgent repairs — such as a broken heater or hot water system — most states allow you to arrange repairs yourself and deduct the cost from rent, up to a specified limit. Always document requests in writing and keep copies. For advice specific to your situation, contact your state tenancy authority or a community legal centre.

Landlords are generally responsible for addressing mould caused by structural issues such as leaks, poor ventilation, or rising damp. Tenants should notify the landlord promptly in writing and document the mould with dated photos. If the landlord fails to act, you can apply to the tenancy tribunal for a repair order. In some states, persistent mould that makes the property unfit to live in may give you grounds to terminate the tenancy without penalty. You should avoid using bleach alone on mould — professional remediation is often necessary for serious infestations. For advice specific to your situation, contact your state tenancy authority or a community legal centre.

Withholding rent in Australia is generally not recommended as a strategy — even if your landlord is failing to make repairs, falling into rent arrears gives the landlord grounds to issue an eviction notice. A safer approach is to apply to the tenancy tribunal for a repair order or compensation while continuing to pay rent. For urgent repairs, most states allow tenants to arrange the work themselves up to a cost limit and deduct it from rent, provided specific notice and documentation requirements are met. Always get legal advice before taking direct action. For advice specific to your situation, contact your state tenancy authority or a community legal centre.

A routine inspection is a general check by the landlord or agent to assess the condition of the property. Most Australian states limit routine inspections to a maximum of four times per year, and some states require a minimum period between each inspection. You must be given advance written notice — typically 7 to 14 days depending on the state. You are not usually required to be present, but you have the right to be if you choose. For advice specific to your situation, contact your state tenancy authority or a community legal centre.

In most Australian states, landlords must give advance written notice before entering a rental property — typically 24 to 48 hours for routine entry such as repairs or inspections. Entry without notice is only permitted in genuine emergencies, such as a burst pipe or fire. Entering without proper notice may be a breach of your tenancy agreement and the relevant Residential Tenancies Act. For advice specific to your situation, contact your state tenancy authority or a community legal centre.

Pet policies vary by state. In Victoria and the ACT, landlords can no longer unreasonably refuse a tenant's request to keep a pet — they must apply to the tribunal to refuse. In Queensland, blanket no-pet clauses are unenforceable; landlords can only refuse on specific grounds. In other states, landlords can generally prohibit pets via the tenancy agreement, though this is subject to reform in some jurisdictions. Always get any pet permission in writing and check whether a separate pet bond can be charged in your state. For advice specific to your situation, contact your state tenancy authority or a community legal centre.

Breaking a fixed-term lease early generally means you may be liable for costs such as the landlord's re-letting fee, advertising costs, and rent until a replacement tenant is found — but most states cap these costs. You can reduce your liability by giving as much notice as possible, actively cooperating with the landlord to find a new tenant, and checking whether you qualify for a "special circumstances" break — such as family violence, a serious illness, or accepted hardship. Some states have legislated break lease fees to simplify the process. For advice specific to your situation, contact your state tenancy authority or a community legal centre.

A rental reference is a written endorsement from a previous landlord or property manager confirming that you paid rent on time and looked after the property. If you've never rented before, you can strengthen your application by providing character references from an employer or community leader, evidence of stable income, and a larger upfront payment offer where legally permitted. Some property managers and landlords are open to first-time renters with the right supporting documentation. For advice specific to your situation, contact your state tenancy authority or a community legal centre.

Tenancy database listings — sometimes called "blacklists" — are regulated by state tenancy laws. A landlord or agent can only list you after your tenancy has ended and only for specific reasons such as unpaid rent above a certain threshold or damage beyond fair wear and tear. They must notify you before listing and you have the right to dispute an inaccurate listing. The main tenancy databases in Australia are TICA, National Tenancy Database, and Equifax. For advice specific to your situation, contact your state tenancy authority or a community legal centre.

Rent bidding occurs when prospective tenants are encouraged or pressured to offer more than the advertised rent to secure a property. In most Australian states and territories, it is illegal for landlords or agents to solicit or invite rent bids above the advertised price — though legislation varies in its detail and enforcement. Several states including Victoria, Queensland, and the ACT have enacted explicit bans. You should report suspected rent bidding to your state's fair trading or consumer protection authority. For advice specific to your situation, contact your state tenancy authority or a community legal centre.

A condition report is a document completed at the start of a tenancy that records the existing state of the property — including any damage, marks, or issues. It is your key defence if a landlord later tries to claim you caused damage that was already there. Most states require landlords to provide a condition report; tenants should complete their own copy within the specified timeframe and return a signed copy to the landlord. Take dated photos on the day you move in to back up the report. For advice specific to your situation, contact your state tenancy authority or a community legal centre.

RenterSay accepts anonymous reviews for residential rental properties across all Australian states and territories — including houses, apartments, townhouses, and units. Reviews are based on the property address, not the landlord's or agent's name, and cover things like property condition, maintenance responsiveness, and your overall rental experience. All reviews go through a moderation process before publication to ensure they comply with our content guidelines. For advice specific to your situation, contact your state tenancy authority or a community legal centre.

In most Australian states, landlords cannot increase rent during a fixed-term lease unless the tenancy agreement specifically includes a rent review clause that sets out how and when increases will occur. Even then, notice requirements must be met — typically 60 days in most states. During a periodic (month-to-month) tenancy, rent can generally be increased once per year with the required notice. If you believe a rent increase is excessive, some states allow you to apply to the tribunal for a review. For advice specific to your situation, contact your state tenancy authority or a community legal centre.

Before vacating, clean the property thoroughly (including oven, carpets, and windows), repair any damage you caused, remove all your belongings, and return all keys including garage remotes. Take dated photos of every room matching the ingoing condition report. Attend the outgoing inspection if possible and request a written outcome. Give proper notice in writing (check your lease for the required period), notify relevant utilities and redirect mail, and obtain a receipt for the returned keys. Keeping the original condition report and all correspondence will help resolve any disputes. For advice specific to your situation, contact your state tenancy authority or a community legal centre.