Home - Tenants' Union ACT Inc.

COVID-19, lockdown and Renting in the ACT – see our information page without registering

Welcome to the website of the Tenants’ Union ACT.

You can access the information on our website by registering for either 1 day, 1 week or annual access.

See below for an outline of what is available.

Go to our ‘Register’ page to see the range of affordable rates.

By registering you are supporting TUACT and ensuring the continuation of this information and our voice for renters.

Other information you can access without registering: Links for renting information and advice, renting links, support services.

What happened to the TU?

Tenants’ Union ACT commenced operation in 1981 as a volunteer organisation of people committed to renters’ rights. In 1994, we received funding from the ACT Government to provide the Tenants’ Advice Service (TAS). For 25 years we provided a specialist legal service for renters in the ACT, and as a community legal centre, so much more than just advice.

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We are proud that our organisation also advocated for all renters in the ACT, providing a voice for renting issues to the ACT Government and community. We provided training and information as well as celebrating renters through events like our annual International Tenants’ Day art exhibition and other related community events.

Unfortunately, funding for the service never matched demand and, unlike other community organisations, did not increase commensurate with mandated wage increases. In 2018, we identified the shortfall and asked for a proportionate increase in funding. The ACT Government undertook a review of the TAS that was never published but found it was a niche and “go to” service for anything to do with private tenancy matters. The review recommended the Government work with us in the spirit of collaboration on a new funding agreement.

In 2019, with no warning, the ACT Government announced the TAS would be put out to tender. We fought hard and did the best we could with significant community support in the limited timeframe. Unfortunately, Legal Aid ACT won the tender and provides the ACT advice service. Our funding was cancelled, and we had to close our doors on 28/02/2020. This was devastating for our staff, volunteers, clients and supporters.

Continuing to advocate for ACT renters

Although we can no longer provide legal advice or representation, we continue to operate as a volunteer organisation focussed on renting and speaking out for renters.

Since we were defunded, we have been concerned about who will advocate for renters’ rights; who will be the strong voice for renters in the ACT?

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A fierce commitment to renters’ rights and willingness to hold the ACT Government to account is a vital part of any organisation advocating for vulnerable people. The ACT Government decided that ACT renters did not deserve a funded specialist, dedicated advocacy service. TUACT decided to continue operating in this space without funding. We continue to be recognised as a stakeholder by the ACT Government and community.

Detailed information on important issues

Our most recent focus has been on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on renters. We are working with tenancy and community organisations in the ACT and around the country to try and protect the rights of renters in the ACT.

We are also concerned about the accuracy and currency of information that has been available to renters since our service was defunded. To that end, we have updated the information on our website.

Why we now have a subscription service

Because we receive no funding, we need to try and raise money to continue our basic operations (e.g. paying for this website!). To meet this need and to provide renters with clear, current information about renting issues, we must now provide it as a subscription service.

We have tried to keep it affordable and accessible with a very low one-off day and week rate to an annual contribution. See details on the subscription registration page.

The Tenants’ Union ACT is a not for profit organisation working to change policy and legislation to improve the situation for renters in the ACT. We also offer online information for people renting their homes in the ACT.

We provide this website containing information that can assist renters in private residential as well as community housing properties and residents in other forms of accommodation such as campus residences, boarding and lodging properties and caravan parks.

We aim to inform and educate renters about their rights, improve conditions for renters, improve the status of renters and represent the collective interests of renters in law and policy making.

Renting Information is the best place to start if you want to learn about your rights, responsibilities and options for resolving disputes. You’ll find 26 Factsheets on common renting issues, 19 Sample Letters to help you write to your landlord or property manager, as well as a searchable index of over 50 Frequently Asked Questions.

Advice – if you are needing specific advice see our advice page for links and details.

Renting in the ACT – see our information page

Popular Resources

By registering, you can access these resources:

Topical Tips

By registering as a subscriber you can access over 50 FAQs that cover common issues not dealt with in our factsheets

How do I claim my bond?

Can my landlord/agent evict me?

Do I have to sign a new lease when my fixed term ends?

Can I end my tenancy on a weekend, public holiday or over a holiday period?

My home has been flooded, what do I do?

For more Tips see our FAQs,

If you have a question or topic just put a key word in our search box and you can see all relevant information *

Latest Facebook Posts

Tenants' Union ACT

3 weeks ago

Jocelyn Newman, Minister for Housing, under the newly voted in Howard Liberal Government got it terribly wrong when she defunded Nation Shelter in 1997. Her reasons, " Why should we fund an organisation that criticises our policies". Decades of not listening to community needs has resulted in a crisis in housing and therefore increased homelessness. All this crisis could have been avoided! Cassandra mic drop!National Shelter welcomes the announcements from National Cabinet today to strengthen renters’ rights and for planning reforms to increase the housing supply and affordability.Full media release below. ... See MoreSee Less

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Tenants' Union ACT

4 months ago

UNDER COVER - Feature Documentary

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SCREENING the one hour version on ABCTV Monday JAN 16 at 8.30PM & AVAILABLE on IVIEW THE HIDDEN FACES OF HOMELESSNESS Narrated by Margot Robbie and sharing the often secret lives of an eclectic group ...

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Tenants' Union ACT

5 months ago

ACT Shelter Update

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daily detailed posts and links on housing and renting in the news/research etc For those who prefer brief bites of information

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Tenants' Union ACT

6 months ago

Yep. Nothing more to say. Except a bit of a language warning. ... See MoreSee Less

Honest Government Ad | the Rental (& Housing) Crisis

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The Australien Government has made an ad about the national rental crisis, and it’s surprisingly honest and informative. 👉 Ways you can support us to keep m...

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Tenants' Union ACT

6 months ago

🚨🚨 IMPORTANT IMPROVEMENTS FOR RENTERS 🚨🚨 ... See MoreSee Less

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IMPORTANT NOTE:

Tenants’ Union ACT publishes this website as a service to the Canberra public. Please note that the information on this site is only relevant to renters in the ACT.

This website provides information about the law designed to help users understand legal rights and obligations. However legal information is not the same as legal advice (the application of law to an individual's specific circumstances). Although we make all efforts to ensure our information is accurate and useful, we recommend you consult the Tenants Advice Service for advice specific to your circumstances. You are also able to consult an independent solicitor for a second opinion.

Please note that this website is NOT intended to be used as a substitute for specific legal advice or opinions and the transmission of this information is NOT intended to create a solicitor-client relationship between the Tenants’ Union ACT and members of the public.

Tenants’ Union ACT makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currency, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Please also note when the page was last updated, as the law may have changed.

COVID-19, lockdown and Renting in the ACT – see our information page without registering

What happened to the TU?

Continuing to advocate for ACT renters

Detailed information on important issues

Why we now have a subscription service

Renting in the ACT – see our information page

****** If you have a question or topic just put a key word in our search box and you can see all relevant information *******

Latest Facebook Posts

Latest Tweets

IMPORTANT NOTE:

If you have a question or topic just put a key word in our search box and you can see all relevant information *