Renting tools and checklist

As a lessor/landlord or tenant you will need to know your rights and responsibilities. The following publications and forms provide you with all the information you need to help you manage your tenancy.

Forms and publications

Lessors checklist

Follow this checklist to make sure you property is rented out hassle free.

You will want your investment property to be profitable and the tenancy arrangements to be hassle free.
Here is a final checklist to help make that a reality.

Before a tenant moves in 

Starting the tenancy

During the tenancy

  • Remember your tenant’s rights, especially to quiet enjoyment of the property. In those circumstances where the lessor may enter the rental premises you must use Form 19 – Notice of proposed entry to premises and provide the correct amount of notice to the tenant. 
  • Respond promptly to any requests for maintenance and repairs that are your responsibility, particularly urgent and essential repairs.   You are required to arrange repairs with a suitably qualified repairer within 24 hours of being notified of repairs required to restore an essential service and 48 hours for urgent repairs.
  • Deal promptly and fairly with any disputes and be prepared to negotiate a compromise solution. 
  • If the rent falls into arrears take action promptly using either the process described in Chart one or Chart two.  Otherwise the outstanding rent amount may increase and you may not get paid.
  • Make sure you know what notices to use for various procedures and allow the correct amount of counting days for the notice/s.
  • Make sure you know and understand the rights and responsibilities for tenants and lessors under the family and domestic violence laws. 

Ending the tenancy

  • Make sure you give the tenant a minimum of 30 days written notice using Form 1C if you want a fixed-term tenancy to finish on the end date.
  • Give the tenant a reasonable opportunity to be present at the final inspection.
  • Carry out a thorough final inspection, Discuss sensibly any items of dispute with your tenant and provide them with a copy of the final property condition report within 14 days of the tenancy ending.   
  • If you have to go to court, make sure you understand the procedures and prepare your case well. For more information see Going to court.

Keep safe - family violence

Laws have changed to help keep everyone safe, family violence prevention page provides information about the development of the laws regarding tenants' rights in family violence situations.  Keep up to date by subscribing to one of our bulletins. 

Renting bulletins

Keep up-to-date on tenancy tips, laws and news with the tenants' or landlords' bulletins.   

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