Your Trustworthy Choice
New Rules updated
Rent can only be increased every 12 months
From 12 August 2020, rent increases are limited to once every 12 months. This is a change from once every 180 days (six months).
Ending a fixed-term tenancy that has converted to a periodic tenancy
For landlords
If a fixed-term tenancy has converted to a periodic tenancy, after 25 June 2020, landlords can give notice for it to end. In a standard residential tenancy, landlords are generally required to give a minimum of 90 days’ notice(instead of 60 days') to end a tenancy without requiring a reason. For example, if the notice was served personally on 26 June, it would take effect on 24 September 2020.
For tenants
Tenants can give notice to end their periodic tenancy as normal by giving at least 21 days’ notice.
Healthy Homes Standard
Insulation Standard
Rental homes must meet the insulation standards by 1 July 2019 to avoid $4000 fines. See the insulation standard from Tenancy Service website here.
Heating & Ventilating Standard
Heating is one of the healthy homes standards. All private rentals must comply with the healthy homes standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy after 1 July 2021, with all private rentals complying by 1 July 2024.
About Healthy Homes more information, click here
Healthy home compliance Timeframe updated in Nov 2022
Example1
The new regulations took effect on 12 May 2022.
On 16 May 2022 a new tenancy commences for a rental property built to the 2008 building code.
Because the 90 day compliance timeframe for this property is 14 August 2022 (during the grace period), the deadline for complying with the heating standard now becomes 12 February 2023.
The deadline for complying with the other healthy homes standards remains 14 August 2022.
Example2
On 16 September 2022 a new tenancy commences for a rental property that has had the insulation and glazing upgraded throughout, so that it now meets or exceeds the 2009 insulation and glazing standards.
Because the 120 day compliance timeframe for this property is 15 December 2022 (during the grace period), the deadline for complying with the heating standard for this tenancy now becomes 12 February 2023.
The deadline for complying with the other healthy homes standards remains 15 December 2022.
Example3
On 26 November, 2022 a new tenancy commences for an apartment that qualifies for the new heating formula.
The 120 day compliance timeframe for this property is 26 March 2023. Because the compliance date falls after the heating standard grace period of 12 February 2023, there is no extension for compliance of the heating standard.
The deadline for complying with all standards is 26 March 2023.
When does your property need to meet the healthy homes standards?
