Before deciding to rent a property there are a few rules and regulations that you need to take into consideration. A Residential Tenancy Agreement or ‘lease’ will be drawn up and is the legal contract that both you and your landlord must abide by.

A lease should include information such as;

• Location of the property


• total rent


• amount of the bond


• commencement and end date of your tenancy


• the landlords’ name

Lease/tenancy agreements differ between states, so please make sure you have the documentation from your appropriate state.

Tip: Never sign a blank form, if you do not understand something, then contact the correct establishments and ask for advice. Know your responsibilities when renting:
When renting, little problems can turn into big problems if you are not aware of who is responsible for taking care of the issues that may arise.

As a tenant you are obliged to do the following:

• Keep the property clean


• Not cause damage to the premises


• Inform the landlord asap if any damage is done


• Ask for the landlords permission to install fixtures or make alterations, renovations etc


• Avoid causing a nuisance to the landlord or neighbours


• Do not participate in anything illegal on the property

The landlord is obliged to:

• Keep the premises in good repair


• Ensure the security of the property by making sure all doors have locks and windows are secure


• Immediately provide the tenant with a key after changing any locks


• Avoid disturbing the tenant unnecessarily

Once you have signed a lease / tenancy agreement and paid a bond you should be provided with a Condition Report. This report records the condition of the property. Check this report carefully and immediately discuss any issues you may have with the landlord.

Tip: Photographs are a great way to record the condition of the property when you first move in. Keep these incase the landlord objects about returning your bond at the end of your tenancy.