Main
Menu

Home
Noticeboard
About TU
Contact
Occupancy
FAQ
Other Sites



The information provided is based on the current state of ACT tenancy law and details may change. While every effort has been made to ensure the information on this site is up-to-date it is not a substitute for specific legal advice on complex matters.

Please take note of when the page was last updated.

If the information here does not apply to your specific situation we suggest you seek expert assistance and advice.

 


TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS


The Tenants' Advice Service (TAS) is a free advice service for people renting in the ACT (tenants and other occupants). This service is operated by the Tenants' Union ACT in partnership with the Welfare Rights & Legal Centre. So, for specific advice on ALL matters relating to ACT residential tenancy law:

Call the Tenants' Advice Service on

 02 6247 2011

This free advice service is open from

9:30am - 1pm, Monday to Friday 

 TAS is also open from:

4.30 - 8pm  TUESDAY NIGHTS ONLY

Please note that the demand for our service can be high, and it may require several calls in order to get through. We are a small service with only 2 advice workers.  To reduce demand on the service, check the information and links below to see if they can answer your queries without needing to call TAS.

If you are renting in another state or territory go to our Other Sites page for services that can help you.

If you are a landlord or real estate agent, please note that we are a service for tenants only and cannot advise you.  If you need advice you can contact the free Legal Aid advice line on 1300 654 314.

 Check out our noticeboard for news of current tenancy and renting issues.  Click HERE


TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS


v *NEW* If you are in shared housing - click here to view our new publication "Crowded House: A legal guide to share housing in the ACT"

v   If you are seeking information and general advice:

Check out our Tenancy Tips Sheets below on common tenancy issues.  Also see below the Tips Sheets for standard leases, forms, standard letters, the law itself and information on public housing, share housing and the Residential Tenancies Tribunal.


If you are paying for your accommodation but are not a tenant (if you live in student accommodation, a caravan park, emergency accommodation, a boarding house or are a lodger) you are likely to be an OCCUPANT.  For Occupancy Tips Sheets click here.
 

·         The Basics: Tenancy in the ACT
·           Bonds - condition reports, bond disputes, fair wear and tear
·          Access & Privacy - inspections, access limitations, unlawful interference, locks
·         Repairs - landlords' obligations, timeframes, resolving disputes
·        
Sale of Premises - notice, access and inspections, grounds for termination
·         Rent Increases & Reductions - rules, excessive increases, when rent can be reduced
·         Rent Increases: Formula & Figures - Formula from the RTA, CPI figures
·      Rent Arrears - what is arrears?  What can the landlord do?
·         Ending a Tenancy & Breaking a Lease - fixed term/periodic, grounds, compensation
·         Eviction in the ACT - grounds, eviction process, defending an eviction
·         Defending an Eviction - preparation and the process
·         Making a complaint about your real estate agent - Code of Conduct, process
·         Tenancy Databases - what they are and what our law says about them
·         RTT Checklist - what is needed if you are going to the RTT, also see RTT resource page
 

If the information you need is not in the Tips Sheets, try our Frequently Asked Questions  pages for brief information on common issues.
 

v   If you are looking for a new tenancy:

Click here to see our tenancy checklist for hints about what to check for in your new home.
 

v   If you are starting a tenancy and need a standard tenancy agreement (lease):

Click here to download a standard ACT tenancy agreement in rtf format, or click here for the pdf version.
 

v   If you are thinking about, or already in, share housing

Click here to view our share housing information and download a share house agreement.
 

v   If you would like to see the law that covers you:

Click here to view and download a copy of the Residential Tenancies ACT 1997.

Back to Top

v   If you are writing to your lessor or real estate agent:

Download one of our form letters,which apply to a variety of common situations, just replace the bracketed material and send. 

If you want to send a more formal 'notice to remedy' or 'notice to vacate', click here to reach the Residential Tenancies Tribunal website and scroll down to "Tenancy Forms".

·         Access.doc

·         Arrears.doc

·         Break Lease.doc

·         Rent Increase.doc

·         Repairs.doc

·         Termination.doc

Form letters specific to Share Housing

v      REMEMBER to always sign, date and keep a copy of letters you write to your lessor or real estate agent.

Back to Top

v     If you are making or defending an application to the Residential Tenancies Tribunal:

Click here to visit our RTT resource page.
 

v   If you are a Housing ACT tenant seeking specific advice:

Call the Welfare Rights & Legal Centre on their general advice line (02 6247 2177). 

While TAS can and does give advice to Housing ACT tenants about tenancy law, WRLC caseworkers and solicitors have particular expertise in dealing with Housing ACT  bureaucracy and their internal review process. WRLC also provide a series of fact sheets on various matters, click here to go to their site.

Back to Top


 

 

 

<