Rental First
New residential tenancy laws have come into effect as of 23 March 2020.
Every landlord and agent should understand new legal obligations and responsibilities before renting out property.
Before renting your residential property to a tenant, you (the landlord) or your agent will need to sign an acknowledgment on the residential tenancy agreement that you have read and understood this information (the Landlord information statement). Penalties apply if this is not met.
Summary of the items listed in the information statement for landlords:
- Seven minimum standards before they can be considered ‘habitable’.
- Information you must disclose to your tenant before signing a tenancy agreement.
- There must be a written tenancy agreement.
- You must not discriminate when choosing a tenant.
- What you must give to your tenant: before signing a tenancy agreement, at the time the agreement is signed and before or at the start of the tenancy.
- You or your agent must fill out a condition report and keep a copy.
- Limits on what a tenant must pay at the start of the tenancy.
- Managing rental bonds.
- If your property is a part of a strata scheme.
- Communicating with your tenant.
- Your obligations during the tenancy.
- Ending the tenancy.
For more details read the landlord information statement here Information Statement for Landlords.