我的房東可以這麼做嗎？

When renting a home in Australia, you can either rent a property through a registered real estate agent or rent directly from the property owner (landlord).

Renting a property using a real estate agency means that a registered agent will act as an intermediary between you and the landlord. They'll help you with the rental process, including showing you the property, processing your application, and managing your bond money.

Renting directly from the landlord is called a private lease (or private rental). This means that the landlord will handle the rental process themselves. This can be riskier for you as a tenant, because the landlord may or may not follow correct procedures. It also means that you would not be able to use the support services offered by real estate agencies.

Here are some of the most common questions international students have about their rights as a tenant in Australia, and what their landlords can and cannot do.

Can my landlord rent me the home if I haven't seen it?

By law, yes, they can. However, it is very important that you see the property before you sign a lease so that you can:

see for yourself that it is a real listing
check that the home is clean and secure, without mould or mildew, and that the appliances work
ensure that the property is in a safe and convenient location, e.g. with transport and to campus nearby, and not too much noise from construction or major roadways, and
meet the landlord of a private rental property and make sure they are a respectable, kind person.

Can my landlord ask for bond money before I sign a lease?

No. Landlords cannot ask for bond money (‘the bond’) before you sign a lease. It is important to have the contract signed first to protect your rights as a tenant under the law.

Can my landlord hold my bond money?

No. The landlord cannot hold your bond money.

The bond money must be held by your state or territory government's bond authority. It will be held with that authority until the end of the tenancy.

You can usually lodge this directly with the bond authority. However, if your landlord lodges the bond money for you, make sure they give you an official bond lodgment form to complete. After lodgment, they then must provide you with a receipt.

If there's any damage to the property at the end of your tenancy, the landlord can make a claim to use some or all of the bond money to cover the cost of repairs. If the property is left in good condition, the bond will be refunded to you after your ‘end of lease’ or ‘final’ inspection.

Does my landlord need to give me a condition report?

Yes. Your landlord must give you a condition report that outlines the details of any existing damage, such as marks on the walls or stains on the carpet. You'll then need to:

check that the landlord’s condition report is accurate and if they have missed anything, add it to the report (it's a good idea to also take photos)
return the condition report to the landlord within seven days of signing the lease
make sure the report is signed by both you and the landlord, and
keep a copy for your records.

The report can be used as evidence if there's a dispute about damage to the property at the end of the tenancy.

Can my landlord increase my rent whenever they want?

No. Your landlord cannot increase your rent without giving you proper notice in writing.

Most states and territories prohibit rent rises during a fixed-term lease. However, you need to check that your lease agreement, as it may have a clause that says rental increases are allowed.

If you think a planned rent increase is unreasonable, you can dispute it with your landlord or get help from the relevant state or territory rental authority (listed below).

Can my landlord enter my house or apartment without my permission?

No. Your landlord cannot enter your house or apartment without your permission. However, landlords are allowed to carry out routine inspections after giving you proper notice.

There are different state and territory laws regarding:

the amount of notice they need to give, and
how often your property can be inspected.

Can my landlord keep my bond money if I move out early?

It depends on the terms of your lease agreement. If you have a fixed-term lease and you break it by moving out early, your landlord may be entitled to keep some or all of your bond money. You may also need to pay for the advertising for them to find a new tenant.

However, if your lease is month-to-month and you give proper (agreed length of time) notice before moving out, your landlord must return your bond to you, minus any unpaid rent or damages.

Can my landlord evict me without a reason?

No. Your landlord cannot evict you without a valid reason. However, you can be evicted if you do not pay your rent, or you breach the lease agreement.

If your landlord wants to evict you, they must give you written notice and follow the legal process for eviction in your state or territory.

Can my landlord charge me for repairs to the property?

It depends on the nature of the repairs and who caused the damage. Repairs that are the landlord's responsibility include:

plumbing issues
electrical faults
malfunctioning appliances such as your oven or fans, and
issues with the structure of the house, such as a leaking roof or crack in the ceiling.

However, if the damage was caused by you or your guests, this is your responsibility to get it repaired. For example, if you caused a hole in the wall, you would need to pay for the repairs yourself.

If your landlord fails to repair something in your home, please contact your local tenant rights organisation.

State and Territory tenant rights organisations

If you have any questions or concerns about your landlord's behavior, consult your local student centre or tenant rights organisation, or seek legal advice.

You are entitled to a safe and comfortable rental experience in Australia and there is always someone who can help. If you’re not sure where to start, ask your education provider for advice. All states and territories also have a local student service, hub or support centre to help you, and you can also ask the tenants’ service in your state or territory.

New South Wales: NSW Fair Trading and Tenants Advice & Advocacy Services NSW
Queensland: Tenants Queensland and Residential Tenancies Authority
Victoria: Consumer Affairs Victoria
ACT: Tenants’ Advice Service and Access Canberra
Western Australia: WA Department of Commerce and Tenancy WA
Northern Territory: Tenants’ Advice Service and Consumer Affairs Northern Territory
South Australia: Consumer and Business Services (CBS) and Tenants Information and Advisory Service
Tasmania: The Tenants‘ Union of Tasmania and Consumer Affairs

When renting a home in Australia, you can either rent a property through a registered real estate agent or rent directly from the property owner (landlord).

Renting a property using a real estate agency means that a registered agent will act as an intermediary between you and the landlord. They'll help you with the rental process, including showing you the property, processing your application, and managing your bond money.

Renting directly from the landlord is called a private lease (or private rental). This means that the landlord will handle the rental process themselves. This can be riskier for you as a tenant, because the landlord may or may not follow correct procedures. It also means that you would not be able to use the support services offered by real estate agencies.

Here are some of the most common questions international students have about their rights as a tenant in Australia, and what their landlords can and cannot do.

Can my landlord rent me the home if I haven't seen it?

By law, yes, they can. However, it is very important that you see the property before you sign a lease so that you can:

see for yourself that it is a real listing
check that the home is clean and secure, without mould or mildew, and that the appliances work
ensure that the property is in a safe and convenient location, e.g. with transport and to campus nearby, and not too much noise from construction or major roadways, and
meet the landlord of a private rental property and make sure they are a respectable, kind person.

Can my landlord ask for bond money before I sign a lease?

No. Landlords cannot ask for bond money (‘the bond’) before you sign a lease. It is important to have the contract signed first to protect your rights as a tenant under the law.

Can my landlord hold my bond money?

No. The landlord cannot hold your bond money.

The bond money must be held by your state or territory government's bond authority. It will be held with that authority until the end of the tenancy.

You can usually lodge this directly with the bond authority. However, if your landlord lodges the bond money for you, make sure they give you an official bond lodgment form to complete. After lodgment, they then must provide you with a receipt.

If there's any damage to the property at the end of your tenancy, the landlord can make a claim to use some or all of the bond money to cover the cost of repairs. If the property is left in good condition, the bond will be refunded to you after your ‘end of lease’ or ‘final’ inspection.

Does my landlord need to give me a condition report?

Yes. Your landlord must give you a condition report that outlines the details of any existing damage, such as marks on the walls or stains on the carpet. You'll then need to:

check that the landlord’s condition report is accurate and if they have missed anything, add it to the report (it's a good idea to also take photos)
return the condition report to the landlord within seven days of signing the lease
make sure the report is signed by both you and the landlord, and
keep a copy for your records.

The report can be used as evidence if there's a dispute about damage to the property at the end of the tenancy.

Can my landlord increase my rent whenever they want?

No. Your landlord cannot increase your rent without giving you proper notice in writing.

Most states and territories prohibit rent rises during a fixed-term lease. However, you need to check that your lease agreement, as it may have a clause that says rental increases are allowed.

If you think a planned rent increase is unreasonable, you can dispute it with your landlord or get help from the relevant state or territory rental authority (listed below).

Can my landlord enter my house or apartment without my permission?

No. Your landlord cannot enter your house or apartment without your permission. However, landlords are allowed to carry out routine inspections after giving you proper notice.

There are different state and territory laws regarding:

the amount of notice they need to give, and
how often your property can be inspected.

Can my landlord keep my bond money if I move out early?

It depends on the terms of your lease agreement. If you have a fixed-term lease and you break it by moving out early, your landlord may be entitled to keep some or all of your bond money. You may also need to pay for the advertising for them to find a new tenant.

However, if your lease is month-to-month and you give proper (agreed length of time) notice before moving out, your landlord must return your bond to you, minus any unpaid rent or damages.

Can my landlord evict me without a reason?

No. Your landlord cannot evict you without a valid reason. However, you can be evicted if you do not pay your rent, or you breach the lease agreement.

If your landlord wants to evict you, they must give you written notice and follow the legal process for eviction in your state or territory.

Can my landlord charge me for repairs to the property?

It depends on the nature of the repairs and who caused the damage. Repairs that are the landlord's responsibility include:

plumbing issues
electrical faults
malfunctioning appliances such as your oven or fans, and
issues with the structure of the house, such as a leaking roof or crack in the ceiling.

However, if the damage was caused by you or your guests, this is your responsibility to get it repaired. For example, if you caused a hole in the wall, you would need to pay for the repairs yourself.

If your landlord fails to repair something in your home, please contact your local tenant rights organisation.

State and Territory tenant rights organisations

If you have any questions or concerns about your landlord's behavior, consult your local student centre or tenant rights organisation, or seek legal advice.

You are entitled to a safe and comfortable rental experience in Australia and there is always someone who can help. If you’re not sure where to start, ask your education provider for advice. All states and territories also have a local student service, hub or support centre to help you, and you can also ask the tenants’ service in your state or territory.

New South Wales: NSW Fair Trading and Tenants Advice & Advocacy Services NSW
Queensland: Tenants Queensland and Residential Tenancies Authority
Victoria: Consumer Affairs Victoria
ACT: Tenants’ Advice Service and Access Canberra
Western Australia: WA Department of Commerce and Tenancy WA
Northern Territory: Tenants’ Advice Service and Consumer Affairs Northern Territory
South Australia: Consumer and Business Services (CBS) and Tenants Information and Advisory Service
Tasmania: The Tenants‘ Union of Tasmania and Consumer Affairs

When renting a home in Australia, you can either rent a property through a registered real estate agent or rent directly from the property owner (landlord).

Renting a property using a real estate agency means that a registered agent will act as an intermediary between you and the landlord. They'll help you with the rental process, including showing you the property, processing your application, and managing your bond money.

Renting directly from the landlord is called a private lease (or private rental). This means that the landlord will handle the rental process themselves. This can be riskier for you as a tenant, because the landlord may or may not follow correct procedures. It also means that you would not be able to use the support services offered by real estate agencies.

Here are some of the most common questions international students have about their rights as a tenant in Australia, and what their landlords can and cannot do.

Can my landlord rent me the home if I haven't seen it?

By law, yes, they can. However, it is very important that you see the property before you sign a lease so that you can:

see for yourself that it is a real listing
check that the home is clean and secure, without mould or mildew, and that the appliances work
ensure that the property is in a safe and convenient location, e.g. with transport and to campus nearby, and not too much noise from construction or major roadways, and
meet the landlord of a private rental property and make sure they are a respectable, kind person.

Can my landlord ask for bond money before I sign a lease?

No. Landlords cannot ask for bond money (‘the bond’) before you sign a lease. It is important to have the contract signed first to protect your rights as a tenant under the law.

Can my landlord hold my bond money?

No. The landlord cannot hold your bond money.

The bond money must be held by your state or territory government's bond authority. It will be held with that authority until the end of the tenancy.

You can usually lodge this directly with the bond authority. However, if your landlord lodges the bond money for you, make sure they give you an official bond lodgment form to complete. After lodgment, they then must provide you with a receipt.

If there's any damage to the property at the end of your tenancy, the landlord can make a claim to use some or all of the bond money to cover the cost of repairs. If the property is left in good condition, the bond will be refunded to you after your ‘end of lease’ or ‘final’ inspection.

Does my landlord need to give me a condition report?

Yes. Your landlord must give you a condition report that outlines the details of any existing damage, such as marks on the walls or stains on the carpet. You'll then need to:

check that the landlord’s condition report is accurate and if they have missed anything, add it to the report (it's a good idea to also take photos)
return the condition report to the landlord within seven days of signing the lease
make sure the report is signed by both you and the landlord, and
keep a copy for your records.

The report can be used as evidence if there's a dispute about damage to the property at the end of the tenancy.

Can my landlord increase my rent whenever they want?

No. Your landlord cannot increase your rent without giving you proper notice in writing.

Most states and territories prohibit rent rises during a fixed-term lease. However, you need to check that your lease agreement, as it may have a clause that says rental increases are allowed.

If you think a planned rent increase is unreasonable, you can dispute it with your landlord or get help from the relevant state or territory rental authority (listed below).

Can my landlord enter my house or apartment without my permission?

No. Your landlord cannot enter your house or apartment without your permission. However, landlords are allowed to carry out routine inspections after giving you proper notice.

There are different state and territory laws regarding:

the amount of notice they need to give, and
how often your property can be inspected.

Can my landlord keep my bond money if I move out early?

It depends on the terms of your lease agreement. If you have a fixed-term lease and you break it by moving out early, your landlord may be entitled to keep some or all of your bond money. You may also need to pay for the advertising for them to find a new tenant.

However, if your lease is month-to-month and you give proper (agreed length of time) notice before moving out, your landlord must return your bond to you, minus any unpaid rent or damages.

Can my landlord evict me without a reason?

No. Your landlord cannot evict you without a valid reason. However, you can be evicted if you do not pay your rent, or you breach the lease agreement.

If your landlord wants to evict you, they must give you written notice and follow the legal process for eviction in your state or territory.

Can my landlord charge me for repairs to the property?

It depends on the nature of the repairs and who caused the damage. Repairs that are the landlord's responsibility include:

plumbing issues
electrical faults
malfunctioning appliances such as your oven or fans, and
issues with the structure of the house, such as a leaking roof or crack in the ceiling.

However, if the damage was caused by you or your guests, this is your responsibility to get it repaired. For example, if you caused a hole in the wall, you would need to pay for the repairs yourself.

If your landlord fails to repair something in your home, please contact your local tenant rights organisation.

State and Territory tenant rights organisations

If you have any questions or concerns about your landlord's behavior, consult your local student centre or tenant rights organisation, or seek legal advice.

You are entitled to a safe and comfortable rental experience in Australia and there is always someone who can help. If you’re not sure where to start, ask your education provider for advice. All states and territories also have a local student service, hub or support centre to help you, and you can also ask the tenants’ service in your state or territory.

New South Wales: NSW Fair Trading and Tenants Advice & Advocacy Services NSW
Queensland: Tenants Queensland and Residential Tenancies Authority
Victoria: Consumer Affairs Victoria
ACT: Tenants’ Advice Service and Access Canberra
Western Australia: WA Department of Commerce and Tenancy WA
Northern Territory: Tenants’ Advice Service and Consumer Affairs Northern Territory
South Australia: Consumer and Business Services (CBS) and Tenants Information and Advisory Service
Tasmania: The Tenants‘ Union of Tasmania and Consumer Affairs

When renting a home in Australia, you can either rent a property through a registered real estate agent or rent directly from the property owner (landlord).

Renting a property using a real estate agency means that a registered agent will act as an intermediary between you and the landlord. They'll help you with the rental process, including showing you the property, processing your application, and managing your bond money.

Renting directly from the landlord is called a private lease (or private rental). This means that the landlord will handle the rental process themselves. This can be riskier for you as a tenant, because the landlord may or may not follow correct procedures. It also means that you would not be able to use the support services offered by real estate agencies.

Here are some of the most common questions international students have about their rights as a tenant in Australia, and what their landlords can and cannot do.

Can my landlord rent me the home if I haven't seen it?

By law, yes, they can. However, it is very important that you see the property before you sign a lease so that you can:

see for yourself that it is a real listing
check that the home is clean and secure, without mould or mildew, and that the appliances work
ensure that the property is in a safe and convenient location, e.g. with transport and to campus nearby, and not too much noise from construction or major roadways, and
meet the landlord of a private rental property and make sure they are a respectable, kind person.

Can my landlord ask for bond money before I sign a lease?

No. Landlords cannot ask for bond money (‘the bond’) before you sign a lease. It is important to have the contract signed first to protect your rights as a tenant under the law.

Can my landlord hold my bond money?

No. The landlord cannot hold your bond money.

The bond money must be held by your state or territory government's bond authority. It will be held with that authority until the end of the tenancy.

You can usually lodge this directly with the bond authority. However, if your landlord lodges the bond money for you, make sure they give you an official bond lodgment form to complete. After lodgment, they then must provide you with a receipt.

If there's any damage to the property at the end of your tenancy, the landlord can make a claim to use some or all of the bond money to cover the cost of repairs. If the property is left in good condition, the bond will be refunded to you after your ‘end of lease’ or ‘final’ inspection.

Does my landlord need to give me a condition report?

Yes. Your landlord must give you a condition report that outlines the details of any existing damage, such as marks on the walls or stains on the carpet. You'll then need to:

check that the landlord’s condition report is accurate and if they have missed anything, add it to the report (it's a good idea to also take photos)
return the condition report to the landlord within seven days of signing the lease
make sure the report is signed by both you and the landlord, and
keep a copy for your records.

The report can be used as evidence if there's a dispute about damage to the property at the end of the tenancy.

Can my landlord increase my rent whenever they want?

No. Your landlord cannot increase your rent without giving you proper notice in writing.

Most states and territories prohibit rent rises during a fixed-term lease. However, you need to check that your lease agreement, as it may have a clause that says rental increases are allowed.

If you think a planned rent increase is unreasonable, you can dispute it with your landlord or get help from the relevant state or territory rental authority (listed below).

Can my landlord enter my house or apartment without my permission?

No. Your landlord cannot enter your house or apartment without your permission. However, landlords are allowed to carry out routine inspections after giving you proper notice.

There are different state and territory laws regarding:

the amount of notice they need to give, and
how often your property can be inspected.

Can my landlord keep my bond money if I move out early?

It depends on the terms of your lease agreement. If you have a fixed-term lease and you break it by moving out early, your landlord may be entitled to keep some or all of your bond money. You may also need to pay for the advertising for them to find a new tenant.

However, if your lease is month-to-month and you give proper (agreed length of time) notice before moving out, your landlord must return your bond to you, minus any unpaid rent or damages.

Can my landlord evict me without a reason?

No. Your landlord cannot evict you without a valid reason. However, you can be evicted if you do not pay your rent, or you breach the lease agreement.

If your landlord wants to evict you, they must give you written notice and follow the legal process for eviction in your state or territory.

Can my landlord charge me for repairs to the property?

It depends on the nature of the repairs and who caused the damage. Repairs that are the landlord's responsibility include:

plumbing issues
electrical faults
malfunctioning appliances such as your oven or fans, and
issues with the structure of the house, such as a leaking roof or crack in the ceiling.

However, if the damage was caused by you or your guests, this is your responsibility to get it repaired. For example, if you caused a hole in the wall, you would need to pay for the repairs yourself.

If your landlord fails to repair something in your home, please contact your local tenant rights organisation.

State and Territory tenant rights organisations

If you have any questions or concerns about your landlord's behavior, consult your local student centre or tenant rights organisation, or seek legal advice.

You are entitled to a safe and comfortable rental experience in Australia and there is always someone who can help. If you’re not sure where to start, ask your education provider for advice. All states and territories also have a local student service, hub or support centre to help you, and you can also ask the tenants’ service in your state or territory.

New South Wales: NSW Fair Trading and Tenants Advice & Advocacy Services NSW
Queensland: Tenants Queensland and Residential Tenancies Authority
Victoria: Consumer Affairs Victoria
ACT: Tenants’ Advice Service and Access Canberra
Western Australia: WA Department of Commerce and Tenancy WA
Northern Territory: Tenants’ Advice Service and Consumer Affairs Northern Territory
South Australia: Consumer and Business Services (CBS) and Tenants Information and Advisory Service
Tasmania: The Tenants‘ Union of Tasmania and Consumer Affairs

When renting a home in Australia, you can either rent a property through a registered real estate agent or rent directly from the property owner (landlord).

Renting a property using a real estate agency means that a registered agent will act as an intermediary between you and the landlord. They'll help you with the rental process, including showing you the property, processing your application, and managing your bond money.

Renting directly from the landlord is called a private lease (or private rental). This means that the landlord will handle the rental process themselves. This can be riskier for you as a tenant, because the landlord may or may not follow correct procedures. It also means that you would not be able to use the support services offered by real estate agencies.

Here are some of the most common questions international students have about their rights as a tenant in Australia, and what their landlords can and cannot do.

Can my landlord rent me the home if I haven't seen it?

By law, yes, they can. However, it is very important that you see the property before you sign a lease so that you can:

see for yourself that it is a real listing
check that the home is clean and secure, without mould or mildew, and that the appliances work
ensure that the property is in a safe and convenient location, e.g. with transport and to campus nearby, and not too much noise from construction or major roadways, and
meet the landlord of a private rental property and make sure they are a respectable, kind person.

Can my landlord ask for bond money before I sign a lease?

No. Landlords cannot ask for bond money (‘the bond’) before you sign a lease. It is important to have the contract signed first to protect your rights as a tenant under the law.

Can my landlord hold my bond money?

No. The landlord cannot hold your bond money.

The bond money must be held by your state or territory government's bond authority. It will be held with that authority until the end of the tenancy.

You can usually lodge this directly with the bond authority. However, if your landlord lodges the bond money for you, make sure they give you an official bond lodgment form to complete. After lodgment, they then must provide you with a receipt.

If there's any damage to the property at the end of your tenancy, the landlord can make a claim to use some or all of the bond money to cover the cost of repairs. If the property is left in good condition, the bond will be refunded to you after your ‘end of lease’ or ‘final’ inspection.

Does my landlord need to give me a condition report?

Yes. Your landlord must give you a condition report that outlines the details of any existing damage, such as marks on the walls or stains on the carpet. You'll then need to:

check that the landlord’s condition report is accurate and if they have missed anything, add it to the report (it's a good idea to also take photos)
return the condition report to the landlord within seven days of signing the lease
make sure the report is signed by both you and the landlord, and
keep a copy for your records.

The report can be used as evidence if there's a dispute about damage to the property at the end of the tenancy.

Can my landlord increase my rent whenever they want?

No. Your landlord cannot increase your rent without giving you proper notice in writing.

Most states and territories prohibit rent rises during a fixed-term lease. However, you need to check that your lease agreement, as it may have a clause that says rental increases are allowed.

If you think a planned rent increase is unreasonable, you can dispute it with your landlord or get help from the relevant state or territory rental authority (listed below).

Can my landlord enter my house or apartment without my permission?

No. Your landlord cannot enter your house or apartment without your permission. However, landlords are allowed to carry out routine inspections after giving you proper notice.

There are different state and territory laws regarding:

the amount of notice they need to give, and
how often your property can be inspected.

Can my landlord keep my bond money if I move out early?

It depends on the terms of your lease agreement. If you have a fixed-term lease and you break it by moving out early, your landlord may be entitled to keep some or all of your bond money. You may also need to pay for the advertising for them to find a new tenant.

However, if your lease is month-to-month and you give proper (agreed length of time) notice before moving out, your landlord must return your bond to you, minus any unpaid rent or damages.

Can my landlord evict me without a reason?

No. Your landlord cannot evict you without a valid reason. However, you can be evicted if you do not pay your rent, or you breach the lease agreement.

If your landlord wants to evict you, they must give you written notice and follow the legal process for eviction in your state or territory.

Can my landlord charge me for repairs to the property?

It depends on the nature of the repairs and who caused the damage. Repairs that are the landlord's responsibility include:

plumbing issues
electrical faults
malfunctioning appliances such as your oven or fans, and
issues with the structure of the house, such as a leaking roof or crack in the ceiling.

However, if the damage was caused by you or your guests, this is your responsibility to get it repaired. For example, if you caused a hole in the wall, you would need to pay for the repairs yourself.

If your landlord fails to repair something in your home, please contact your local tenant rights organisation.

State and Territory tenant rights organisations

If you have any questions or concerns about your landlord's behavior, consult your local student centre or tenant rights organisation, or seek legal advice.

You are entitled to a safe and comfortable rental experience in Australia and there is always someone who can help. If you’re not sure where to start, ask your education provider for advice. All states and territories also have a local student service, hub or support centre to help you, and you can also ask the tenants’ service in your state or territory.

New South Wales: NSW Fair Trading and Tenants Advice & Advocacy Services NSW
Queensland: Tenants Queensland and Residential Tenancies Authority
Victoria: Consumer Affairs Victoria
ACT: Tenants’ Advice Service and Access Canberra
Western Australia: WA Department of Commerce and Tenancy WA
Northern Territory: Tenants’ Advice Service and Consumer Affairs Northern Territory
South Australia: Consumer and Business Services (CBS) and Tenants Information and Advisory Service
Tasmania: The Tenants‘ Union of Tasmania and Consumer Affairs

When renting a home in Australia, you can either rent a property through a registered real estate agent or rent directly from the property owner (landlord).

Renting a property using a real estate agency means that a registered agent will act as an intermediary between you and the landlord. They'll help you with the rental process, including showing you the property, processing your application, and managing your bond money.

Renting directly from the landlord is called a private lease (or private rental). This means that the landlord will handle the rental process themselves. This can be riskier for you as a tenant, because the landlord may or may not follow correct procedures. It also means that you would not be able to use the support services offered by real estate agencies.

Here are some of the most common questions international students have about their rights as a tenant in Australia, and what their landlords can and cannot do.

Can my landlord rent me the home if I haven't seen it?

By law, yes, they can. However, it is very important that you see the property before you sign a lease so that you can:

see for yourself that it is a real listing
check that the home is clean and secure, without mould or mildew, and that the appliances work
ensure that the property is in a safe and convenient location, e.g. with transport and to campus nearby, and not too much noise from construction or major roadways, and
meet the landlord of a private rental property and make sure they are a respectable, kind person.

Can my landlord ask for bond money before I sign a lease?

No. Landlords cannot ask for bond money (‘the bond’) before you sign a lease. It is important to have the contract signed first to protect your rights as a tenant under the law.

Can my landlord hold my bond money?

No. The landlord cannot hold your bond money.

The bond money must be held by your state or territory government's bond authority. It will be held with that authority until the end of the tenancy.

You can usually lodge this directly with the bond authority. However, if your landlord lodges the bond money for you, make sure they give you an official bond lodgment form to complete. After lodgment, they then must provide you with a receipt.

If there's any damage to the property at the end of your tenancy, the landlord can make a claim to use some or all of the bond money to cover the cost of repairs. If the property is left in good condition, the bond will be refunded to you after your ‘end of lease’ or ‘final’ inspection.

Does my landlord need to give me a condition report?

Yes. Your landlord must give you a condition report that outlines the details of any existing damage, such as marks on the walls or stains on the carpet. You'll then need to:

check that the landlord’s condition report is accurate and if they have missed anything, add it to the report (it's a good idea to also take photos)
return the condition report to the landlord within seven days of signing the lease
make sure the report is signed by both you and the landlord, and
keep a copy for your records.

The report can be used as evidence if there's a dispute about damage to the property at the end of the tenancy.

Can my landlord increase my rent whenever they want?

No. Your landlord cannot increase your rent without giving you proper notice in writing.

Most states and territories prohibit rent rises during a fixed-term lease. However, you need to check that your lease agreement, as it may have a clause that says rental increases are allowed.

If you think a planned rent increase is unreasonable, you can dispute it with your landlord or get help from the relevant state or territory rental authority (listed below).

Can my landlord enter my house or apartment without my permission?

No. Your landlord cannot enter your house or apartment without your permission. However, landlords are allowed to carry out routine inspections after giving you proper notice.

There are different state and territory laws regarding:

the amount of notice they need to give, and
how often your property can be inspected.

Can my landlord keep my bond money if I move out early?

It depends on the terms of your lease agreement. If you have a fixed-term lease and you break it by moving out early, your landlord may be entitled to keep some or all of your bond money. You may also need to pay for the advertising for them to find a new tenant.

However, if your lease is month-to-month and you give proper (agreed length of time) notice before moving out, your landlord must return your bond to you, minus any unpaid rent or damages.

Can my landlord evict me without a reason?

No. Your landlord cannot evict you without a valid reason. However, you can be evicted if you do not pay your rent, or you breach the lease agreement.

If your landlord wants to evict you, they must give you written notice and follow the legal process for eviction in your state or territory.

Can my landlord charge me for repairs to the property?

It depends on the nature of the repairs and who caused the damage. Repairs that are the landlord's responsibility include:

plumbing issues
electrical faults
malfunctioning appliances such as your oven or fans, and
issues with the structure of the house, such as a leaking roof or crack in the ceiling.

However, if the damage was caused by you or your guests, this is your responsibility to get it repaired. For example, if you caused a hole in the wall, you would need to pay for the repairs yourself.

If your landlord fails to repair something in your home, please contact your local tenant rights organisation.

State and Territory tenant rights organisations

If you have any questions or concerns about your landlord's behavior, consult your local student centre or tenant rights organisation, or seek legal advice.

You are entitled to a safe and comfortable rental experience in Australia and there is always someone who can help. If you’re not sure where to start, ask your education provider for advice. All states and territories also have a local student service, hub or support centre to help you, and you can also ask the tenants’ service in your state or territory.

New South Wales: NSW Fair Trading and Tenants Advice & Advocacy Services NSW
Queensland: Tenants Queensland and Residential Tenancies Authority
Victoria: Consumer Affairs Victoria
ACT: Tenants’ Advice Service and Access Canberra
Western Australia: WA Department of Commerce and Tenancy WA
Northern Territory: Tenants’ Advice Service and Consumer Affairs Northern Territory
South Australia: Consumer and Business Services (CBS) and Tenants Information and Advisory Service
Tasmania: The Tenants‘ Union of Tasmania and Consumer Affairs

When renting a home in Australia, you can either rent a property through a registered real estate agent or rent directly from the property owner (landlord).

Renting a property using a real estate agency means that a registered agent will act as an intermediary between you and the landlord. They'll help you with the rental process, including showing you the property, processing your application, and managing your bond money.

Renting directly from the landlord is called a private lease (or private rental). This means that the landlord will handle the rental process themselves. This can be riskier for you as a tenant, because the landlord may or may not follow correct procedures. It also means that you would not be able to use the support services offered by real estate agencies.

Here are some of the most common questions international students have about their rights as a tenant in Australia, and what their landlords can and cannot do.

Can my landlord rent me the home if I haven't seen it?

By law, yes, they can. However, it is very important that you see the property before you sign a lease so that you can:

see for yourself that it is a real listing
check that the home is clean and secure, without mould or mildew, and that the appliances work
ensure that the property is in a safe and convenient location, e.g. with transport and to campus nearby, and not too much noise from construction or major roadways, and
meet the landlord of a private rental property and make sure they are a respectable, kind person.

Can my landlord ask for bond money before I sign a lease?

No. Landlords cannot ask for bond money (‘the bond’) before you sign a lease. It is important to have the contract signed first to protect your rights as a tenant under the law.

Can my landlord hold my bond money?

No. The landlord cannot hold your bond money.

The bond money must be held by your state or territory government's bond authority. It will be held with that authority until the end of the tenancy.

You can usually lodge this directly with the bond authority. However, if your landlord lodges the bond money for you, make sure they give you an official bond lodgment form to complete. After lodgment, they then must provide you with a receipt.

If there's any damage to the property at the end of your tenancy, the landlord can make a claim to use some or all of the bond money to cover the cost of repairs. If the property is left in good condition, the bond will be refunded to you after your ‘end of lease’ or ‘final’ inspection.

Does my landlord need to give me a condition report?

Yes. Your landlord must give you a condition report that outlines the details of any existing damage, such as marks on the walls or stains on the carpet. You'll then need to:

check that the landlord’s condition report is accurate and if they have missed anything, add it to the report (it's a good idea to also take photos)
return the condition report to the landlord within seven days of signing the lease
make sure the report is signed by both you and the landlord, and
keep a copy for your records.

The report can be used as evidence if there's a dispute about damage to the property at the end of the tenancy.

Can my landlord increase my rent whenever they want?

No. Your landlord cannot increase your rent without giving you proper notice in writing.

Most states and territories prohibit rent rises during a fixed-term lease. However, you need to check that your lease agreement, as it may have a clause that says rental increases are allowed.

If you think a planned rent increase is unreasonable, you can dispute it with your landlord or get help from the relevant state or territory rental authority (listed below).

Can my landlord enter my house or apartment without my permission?

No. Your landlord cannot enter your house or apartment without your permission. However, landlords are allowed to carry out routine inspections after giving you proper notice.

There are different state and territory laws regarding:

the amount of notice they need to give, and
how often your property can be inspected.

Can my landlord keep my bond money if I move out early?

It depends on the terms of your lease agreement. If you have a fixed-term lease and you break it by moving out early, your landlord may be entitled to keep some or all of your bond money. You may also need to pay for the advertising for them to find a new tenant.

However, if your lease is month-to-month and you give proper (agreed length of time) notice before moving out, your landlord must return your bond to you, minus any unpaid rent or damages.

Can my landlord evict me without a reason?

No. Your landlord cannot evict you without a valid reason. However, you can be evicted if you do not pay your rent, or you breach the lease agreement.

If your landlord wants to evict you, they must give you written notice and follow the legal process for eviction in your state or territory.

Can my landlord charge me for repairs to the property?

It depends on the nature of the repairs and who caused the damage. Repairs that are the landlord's responsibility include:

plumbing issues
electrical faults
malfunctioning appliances such as your oven or fans, and
issues with the structure of the house, such as a leaking roof or crack in the ceiling.

However, if the damage was caused by you or your guests, this is your responsibility to get it repaired. For example, if you caused a hole in the wall, you would need to pay for the repairs yourself.

If your landlord fails to repair something in your home, please contact your local tenant rights organisation.

State and Territory tenant rights organisations

If you have any questions or concerns about your landlord's behavior, consult your local student centre or tenant rights organisation, or seek legal advice.

You are entitled to a safe and comfortable rental experience in Australia and there is always someone who can help. If you’re not sure where to start, ask your education provider for advice. All states and territories also have a local student service, hub or support centre to help you, and you can also ask the tenants’ service in your state or territory.

New South Wales: NSW Fair Trading and Tenants Advice & Advocacy Services NSW
Queensland: Tenants Queensland and Residential Tenancies Authority
Victoria: Consumer Affairs Victoria
ACT: Tenants’ Advice Service and Access Canberra
Western Australia: WA Department of Commerce and Tenancy WA
Northern Territory: Tenants’ Advice Service and Consumer Affairs Northern Territory
South Australia: Consumer and Business Services (CBS) and Tenants Information and Advisory Service
Tasmania: The Tenants‘ Union of Tasmania and Consumer Affairs

When renting a home in Australia, you can either rent a property through a registered real estate agent or rent directly from the property owner (landlord).

Renting a property using a real estate agency means that a registered agent will act as an intermediary between you and the landlord. They'll help you with the rental process, including showing you the property, processing your application, and managing your bond money.

Renting directly from the landlord is called a private lease (or private rental). This means that the landlord will handle the rental process themselves. This can be riskier for you as a tenant, because the landlord may or may not follow correct procedures. It also means that you would not be able to use the support services offered by real estate agencies.

Here are some of the most common questions international students have about their rights as a tenant in Australia, and what their landlords can and cannot do.

Can my landlord rent me the home if I haven't seen it?

By law, yes, they can. However, it is very important that you see the property before you sign a lease so that you can:

see for yourself that it is a real listing
check that the home is clean and secure, without mould or mildew, and that the appliances work
ensure that the property is in a safe and convenient location, e.g. with transport and to campus nearby, and not too much noise from construction or major roadways, and
meet the landlord of a private rental property and make sure they are a respectable, kind person.

Can my landlord ask for bond money before I sign a lease?

No. Landlords cannot ask for bond money (‘the bond’) before you sign a lease. It is important to have the contract signed first to protect your rights as a tenant under the law.

Can my landlord hold my bond money?

No. The landlord cannot hold your bond money.

The bond money must be held by your state or territory government's bond authority. It will be held with that authority until the end of the tenancy.

You can usually lodge this directly with the bond authority. However, if your landlord lodges the bond money for you, make sure they give you an official bond lodgment form to complete. After lodgment, they then must provide you with a receipt.

If there's any damage to the property at the end of your tenancy, the landlord can make a claim to use some or all of the bond money to cover the cost of repairs. If the property is left in good condition, the bond will be refunded to you after your ‘end of lease’ or ‘final’ inspection.

Does my landlord need to give me a condition report?

Yes. Your landlord must give you a condition report that outlines the details of any existing damage, such as marks on the walls or stains on the carpet. You'll then need to:

check that the landlord’s condition report is accurate and if they have missed anything, add it to the report (it's a good idea to also take photos)
return the condition report to the landlord within seven days of signing the lease
make sure the report is signed by both you and the landlord, and
keep a copy for your records.

The report can be used as evidence if there's a dispute about damage to the property at the end of the tenancy.

Can my landlord increase my rent whenever they want?

No. Your landlord cannot increase your rent without giving you proper notice in writing.

Most states and territories prohibit rent rises during a fixed-term lease. However, you need to check that your lease agreement, as it may have a clause that says rental increases are allowed.

If you think a planned rent increase is unreasonable, you can dispute it with your landlord or get help from the relevant state or territory rental authority (listed below).

Can my landlord enter my house or apartment without my permission?

No. Your landlord cannot enter your house or apartment without your permission. However, landlords are allowed to carry out routine inspections after giving you proper notice.

There are different state and territory laws regarding:

the amount of notice they need to give, and
how often your property can be inspected.

Can my landlord keep my bond money if I move out early?

It depends on the terms of your lease agreement. If you have a fixed-term lease and you break it by moving out early, your landlord may be entitled to keep some or all of your bond money. You may also need to pay for the advertising for them to find a new tenant.

However, if your lease is month-to-month and you give proper (agreed length of time) notice before moving out, your landlord must return your bond to you, minus any unpaid rent or damages.

Can my landlord evict me without a reason?

No. Your landlord cannot evict you without a valid reason. However, you can be evicted if you do not pay your rent, or you breach the lease agreement.

If your landlord wants to evict you, they must give you written notice and follow the legal process for eviction in your state or territory.

Can my landlord charge me for repairs to the property?

It depends on the nature of the repairs and who caused the damage. Repairs that are the landlord's responsibility include:

plumbing issues
electrical faults
malfunctioning appliances such as your oven or fans, and
issues with the structure of the house, such as a leaking roof or crack in the ceiling.

However, if the damage was caused by you or your guests, this is your responsibility to get it repaired. For example, if you caused a hole in the wall, you would need to pay for the repairs yourself.

If your landlord fails to repair something in your home, please contact your local tenant rights organisation.

State and Territory tenant rights organisations

If you have any questions or concerns about your landlord's behavior, consult your local student centre or tenant rights organisation, or seek legal advice.

You are entitled to a safe and comfortable rental experience in Australia and there is always someone who can help. If you’re not sure where to start, ask your education provider for advice. All states and territories also have a local student service, hub or support centre to help you, and you can also ask the tenants’ service in your state or territory.

New South Wales: NSW Fair Trading and Tenants Advice & Advocacy Services NSW
Queensland: Tenants Queensland and Residential Tenancies Authority
Victoria: Consumer Affairs Victoria
ACT: Tenants’ Advice Service and Access Canberra
Western Australia: WA Department of Commerce and Tenancy WA
Northern Territory: Tenants’ Advice Service and Consumer Affairs Northern Territory
South Australia: Consumer and Business Services (CBS) and Tenants Information and Advisory Service
Tasmania: The Tenants‘ Union of Tasmania and Consumer Affairs

When renting a home in Australia, you can either rent a property through a registered real estate agent or rent directly from the property owner (landlord).

Renting a property using a real estate agency means that a registered agent will act as an intermediary between you and the landlord. They'll help you with the rental process, including showing you the property, processing your application, and managing your bond money.

Renting directly from the landlord is called a private lease (or private rental). This means that the landlord will handle the rental process themselves. This can be riskier for you as a tenant, because the landlord may or may not follow correct procedures. It also means that you would not be able to use the support services offered by real estate agencies.

Here are some of the most common questions international students have about their rights as a tenant in Australia, and what their landlords can and cannot do.

Can my landlord rent me the home if I haven't seen it?

By law, yes, they can. However, it is very important that you see the property before you sign a lease so that you can:

see for yourself that it is a real listing
check that the home is clean and secure, without mould or mildew, and that the appliances work
ensure that the property is in a safe and convenient location, e.g. with transport and to campus nearby, and not too much noise from construction or major roadways, and
meet the landlord of a private rental property and make sure they are a respectable, kind person.

Can my landlord ask for bond money before I sign a lease?

No. Landlords cannot ask for bond money (‘the bond’) before you sign a lease. It is important to have the contract signed first to protect your rights as a tenant under the law.

Can my landlord hold my bond money?

No. The landlord cannot hold your bond money.

The bond money must be held by your state or territory government's bond authority. It will be held with that authority until the end of the tenancy.

You can usually lodge this directly with the bond authority. However, if your landlord lodges the bond money for you, make sure they give you an official bond lodgment form to complete. After lodgment, they then must provide you with a receipt.

If there's any damage to the property at the end of your tenancy, the landlord can make a claim to use some or all of the bond money to cover the cost of repairs. If the property is left in good condition, the bond will be refunded to you after your ‘end of lease’ or ‘final’ inspection.

Does my landlord need to give me a condition report?

Yes. Your landlord must give you a condition report that outlines the details of any existing damage, such as marks on the walls or stains on the carpet. You'll then need to:

check that the landlord’s condition report is accurate and if they have missed anything, add it to the report (it's a good idea to also take photos)
return the condition report to the landlord within seven days of signing the lease
make sure the report is signed by both you and the landlord, and
keep a copy for your records.

The report can be used as evidence if there's a dispute about damage to the property at the end of the tenancy.

Can my landlord increase my rent whenever they want?

No. Your landlord cannot increase your rent without giving you proper notice in writing.

Most states and territories prohibit rent rises during a fixed-term lease. However, you need to check that your lease agreement, as it may have a clause that says rental increases are allowed.

If you think a planned rent increase is unreasonable, you can dispute it with your landlord or get help from the relevant state or territory rental authority (listed below).

Can my landlord enter my house or apartment without my permission?

No. Your landlord cannot enter your house or apartment without your permission. However, landlords are allowed to carry out routine inspections after giving you proper notice.

There are different state and territory laws regarding:

the amount of notice they need to give, and
how often your property can be inspected.

Can my landlord keep my bond money if I move out early?

It depends on the terms of your lease agreement. If you have a fixed-term lease and you break it by moving out early, your landlord may be entitled to keep some or all of your bond money. You may also need to pay for the advertising for them to find a new tenant.

However, if your lease is month-to-month and you give proper (agreed length of time) notice before moving out, your landlord must return your bond to you, minus any unpaid rent or damages.

Can my landlord evict me without a reason?

No. Your landlord cannot evict you without a valid reason. However, you can be evicted if you do not pay your rent, or you breach the lease agreement.

If your landlord wants to evict you, they must give you written notice and follow the legal process for eviction in your state or territory.

Can my landlord charge me for repairs to the property?

It depends on the nature of the repairs and who caused the damage. Repairs that are the landlord's responsibility include:

plumbing issues
electrical faults
malfunctioning appliances such as your oven or fans, and
issues with the structure of the house, such as a leaking roof or crack in the ceiling.

However, if the damage was caused by you or your guests, this is your responsibility to get it repaired. For example, if you caused a hole in the wall, you would need to pay for the repairs yourself.

If your landlord fails to repair something in your home, please contact your local tenant rights organisation.

State and Territory tenant rights organisations

If you have any questions or concerns about your landlord's behavior, consult your local student centre or tenant rights organisation, or seek legal advice.

You are entitled to a safe and comfortable rental experience in Australia and there is always someone who can help. If you’re not sure where to start, ask your education provider for advice. All states and territories also have a local student service, hub or support centre to help you, and you can also ask the tenants’ service in your state or territory.

New South Wales: NSW Fair Trading and Tenants Advice & Advocacy Services NSW
Queensland: Tenants Queensland and Residential Tenancies Authority
Victoria: Consumer Affairs Victoria
ACT: Tenants’ Advice Service and Access Canberra
Western Australia: WA Department of Commerce and Tenancy WA
Northern Territory: Tenants’ Advice Service and Consumer Affairs Northern Territory
South Australia: Consumer and Business Services (CBS) and Tenants Information and Advisory Service
Tasmania: The Tenants‘ Union of Tasmania and Consumer Affairs

When renting a home in Australia, you can either rent a property through a registered real estate agent or rent directly from the property owner (landlord).

Renting a property using a real estate agency means that a registered agent will act as an intermediary between you and the landlord. They'll help you with the rental process, including showing you the property, processing your application, and managing your bond money.

Renting directly from the landlord is called a private lease (or private rental). This means that the landlord will handle the rental process themselves. This can be riskier for you as a tenant, because the landlord may or may not follow correct procedures. It also means that you would not be able to use the support services offered by real estate agencies.

Here are some of the most common questions international students have about their rights as a tenant in Australia, and what their landlords can and cannot do.

Can my landlord rent me the home if I haven't seen it?

By law, yes, they can. However, it is very important that you see the property before you sign a lease so that you can:

see for yourself that it is a real listing
check that the home is clean and secure, without mould or mildew, and that the appliances work
ensure that the property is in a safe and convenient location, e.g. with transport and to campus nearby, and not too much noise from construction or major roadways, and
meet the landlord of a private rental property and make sure they are a respectable, kind person.

Can my landlord ask for bond money before I sign a lease?

No. Landlords cannot ask for bond money (‘the bond’) before you sign a lease. It is important to have the contract signed first to protect your rights as a tenant under the law.

Can my landlord hold my bond money?

No. The landlord cannot hold your bond money.

The bond money must be held by your state or territory government's bond authority. It will be held with that authority until the end of the tenancy.

You can usually lodge this directly with the bond authority. However, if your landlord lodges the bond money for you, make sure they give you an official bond lodgment form to complete. After lodgment, they then must provide you with a receipt.

If there's any damage to the property at the end of your tenancy, the landlord can make a claim to use some or all of the bond money to cover the cost of repairs. If the property is left in good condition, the bond will be refunded to you after your ‘end of lease’ or ‘final’ inspection.

Does my landlord need to give me a condition report?

Yes. Your landlord must give you a condition report that outlines the details of any existing damage, such as marks on the walls or stains on the carpet. You'll then need to:

check that the landlord’s condition report is accurate and if they have missed anything, add it to the report (it's a good idea to also take photos)
return the condition report to the landlord within seven days of signing the lease
make sure the report is signed by both you and the landlord, and
keep a copy for your records.

The report can be used as evidence if there's a dispute about damage to the property at the end of the tenancy.

Can my landlord increase my rent whenever they want?

No. Your landlord cannot increase your rent without giving you proper notice in writing.

Most states and territories prohibit rent rises during a fixed-term lease. However, you need to check that your lease agreement, as it may have a clause that says rental increases are allowed.

If you think a planned rent increase is unreasonable, you can dispute it with your landlord or get help from the relevant state or territory rental authority (listed below).

Can my landlord enter my house or apartment without my permission?

No. Your landlord cannot enter your house or apartment without your permission. However, landlords are allowed to carry out routine inspections after giving you proper notice.

There are different state and territory laws regarding:

the amount of notice they need to give, and
how often your property can be inspected.

Can my landlord keep my bond money if I move out early?

It depends on the terms of your lease agreement. If you have a fixed-term lease and you break it by moving out early, your landlord may be entitled to keep some or all of your bond money. You may also need to pay for the advertising for them to find a new tenant.

However, if your lease is month-to-month and you give proper (agreed length of time) notice before moving out, your landlord must return your bond to you, minus any unpaid rent or damages.

Can my landlord evict me without a reason?

No. Your landlord cannot evict you without a valid reason. However, you can be evicted if you do not pay your rent, or you breach the lease agreement.

If your landlord wants to evict you, they must give you written notice and follow the legal process for eviction in your state or territory.

Can my landlord charge me for repairs to the property?

It depends on the nature of the repairs and who caused the damage. Repairs that are the landlord's responsibility include:

plumbing issues
electrical faults
malfunctioning appliances such as your oven or fans, and
issues with the structure of the house, such as a leaking roof or crack in the ceiling.

However, if the damage was caused by you or your guests, this is your responsibility to get it repaired. For example, if you caused a hole in the wall, you would need to pay for the repairs yourself.

If your landlord fails to repair something in your home, please contact your local tenant rights organisation.

State and Territory tenant rights organisations

If you have any questions or concerns about your landlord's behavior, consult your local student centre or tenant rights organisation, or seek legal advice.

You are entitled to a safe and comfortable rental experience in Australia and there is always someone who can help. If you’re not sure where to start, ask your education provider for advice. All states and territories also have a local student service, hub or support centre to help you, and you can also ask the tenants’ service in your state or territory.

New South Wales: NSW Fair Trading and Tenants Advice & Advocacy Services NSW
Queensland: Tenants Queensland and Residential Tenancies Authority
Victoria: Consumer Affairs Victoria
ACT: Tenants’ Advice Service and Access Canberra
Western Australia: WA Department of Commerce and Tenancy WA
Northern Territory: Tenants’ Advice Service and Consumer Affairs Northern Territory
South Australia: Consumer and Business Services (CBS) and Tenants Information and Advisory Service
Tasmania: The Tenants‘ Union of Tasmania and Consumer Affairs

When renting a home in Australia, you can either rent a property through a registered real estate agent or rent directly from the property owner (landlord).

Renting a property using a real estate agency means that a registered agent will act as an intermediary between you and the landlord. They'll help you with the rental process, including showing you the property, processing your application, and managing your bond money.

Renting directly from the landlord is called a private lease (or private rental). This means that the landlord will handle the rental process themselves. This can be riskier for you as a tenant, because the landlord may or may not follow correct procedures. It also means that you would not be able to use the support services offered by real estate agencies.

Here are some of the most common questions international students have about their rights as a tenant in Australia, and what their landlords can and cannot do.

Can my landlord rent me the home if I haven't seen it?

By law, yes, they can. However, it is very important that you see the property before you sign a lease so that you can:

see for yourself that it is a real listing
check that the home is clean and secure, without mould or mildew, and that the appliances work
ensure that the property is in a safe and convenient location, e.g. with transport and to campus nearby, and not too much noise from construction or major roadways, and
meet the landlord of a private rental property and make sure they are a respectable, kind person.

Can my landlord ask for bond money before I sign a lease?

No. Landlords cannot ask for bond money (‘the bond’) before you sign a lease. It is important to have the contract signed first to protect your rights as a tenant under the law.

Can my landlord hold my bond money?

No. The landlord cannot hold your bond money.

The bond money must be held by your state or territory government's bond authority. It will be held with that authority until the end of the tenancy.

You can usually lodge this directly with the bond authority. However, if your landlord lodges the bond money for you, make sure they give you an official bond lodgment form to complete. After lodgment, they then must provide you with a receipt.

If there's any damage to the property at the end of your tenancy, the landlord can make a claim to use some or all of the bond money to cover the cost of repairs. If the property is left in good condition, the bond will be refunded to you after your ‘end of lease’ or ‘final’ inspection.

Does my landlord need to give me a condition report?

Yes. Your landlord must give you a condition report that outlines the details of any existing damage, such as marks on the walls or stains on the carpet. You'll then need to:

check that the landlord’s condition report is accurate and if they have missed anything, add it to the report (it's a good idea to also take photos)
return the condition report to the landlord within seven days of signing the lease
make sure the report is signed by both you and the landlord, and
keep a copy for your records.

The report can be used as evidence if there's a dispute about damage to the property at the end of the tenancy.

Can my landlord increase my rent whenever they want?

No. Your landlord cannot increase your rent without giving you proper notice in writing.

Most states and territories prohibit rent rises during a fixed-term lease. However, you need to check that your lease agreement, as it may have a clause that says rental increases are allowed.

If you think a planned rent increase is unreasonable, you can dispute it with your landlord or get help from the relevant state or territory rental authority (listed below).

Can my landlord enter my house or apartment without my permission?

No. Your landlord cannot enter your house or apartment without your permission. However, landlords are allowed to carry out routine inspections after giving you proper notice.

There are different state and territory laws regarding:

the amount of notice they need to give, and
how often your property can be inspected.

Can my landlord keep my bond money if I move out early?

It depends on the terms of your lease agreement. If you have a fixed-term lease and you break it by moving out early, your landlord may be entitled to keep some or all of your bond money. You may also need to pay for the advertising for them to find a new tenant.

However, if your lease is month-to-month and you give proper (agreed length of time) notice before moving out, your landlord must return your bond to you, minus any unpaid rent or damages.

Can my landlord evict me without a reason?

No. Your landlord cannot evict you without a valid reason. However, you can be evicted if you do not pay your rent, or you breach the lease agreement.

If your landlord wants to evict you, they must give you written notice and follow the legal process for eviction in your state or territory.

Can my landlord charge me for repairs to the property?

It depends on the nature of the repairs and who caused the damage. Repairs that are the landlord's responsibility include:

plumbing issues
electrical faults
malfunctioning appliances such as your oven or fans, and
issues with the structure of the house, such as a leaking roof or crack in the ceiling.

However, if the damage was caused by you or your guests, this is your responsibility to get it repaired. For example, if you caused a hole in the wall, you would need to pay for the repairs yourself.

If your landlord fails to repair something in your home, please contact your local tenant rights organisation.

State and Territory tenant rights organisations

If you have any questions or concerns about your landlord's behavior, consult your local student centre or tenant rights organisation, or seek legal advice.

You are entitled to a safe and comfortable rental experience in Australia and there is always someone who can help. If you’re not sure where to start, ask your education provider for advice. All states and territories also have a local student service, hub or support centre to help you, and you can also ask the tenants’ service in your state or territory.

New South Wales: NSW Fair Trading and Tenants Advice & Advocacy Services NSW
Queensland: Tenants Queensland and Residential Tenancies Authority
Victoria: Consumer Affairs Victoria
ACT: Tenants’ Advice Service and Access Canberra
Western Australia: WA Department of Commerce and Tenancy WA
Northern Territory: Tenants’ Advice Service and Consumer Affairs Northern Territory
South Australia: Consumer and Business Services (CBS) and Tenants Information and Advisory Service
Tasmania: The Tenants‘ Union of Tasmania and Consumer Affairs

When renting a home in Australia, you can either rent a property through a registered real estate agent or rent directly from the property owner (landlord).

Renting a property using a real estate agency means that a registered agent will act as an intermediary between you and the landlord. They'll help you with the rental process, including showing you the property, processing your application, and managing your bond money.

Renting directly from the landlord is called a private lease (or private rental). This means that the landlord will handle the rental process themselves. This can be riskier for you as a tenant, because the landlord may or may not follow correct procedures. It also means that you would not be able to use the support services offered by real estate agencies.

Here are some of the most common questions international students have about their rights as a tenant in Australia, and what their landlords can and cannot do.

Can my landlord rent me the home if I haven't seen it?

By law, yes, they can. However, it is very important that you see the property before you sign a lease so that you can:

see for yourself that it is a real listing
check that the home is clean and secure, without mould or mildew, and that the appliances work
ensure that the property is in a safe and convenient location, e.g. with transport and to campus nearby, and not too much noise from construction or major roadways, and
meet the landlord of a private rental property and make sure they are a respectable, kind person.

Can my landlord ask for bond money before I sign a lease?

No. Landlords cannot ask for bond money (‘the bond’) before you sign a lease. It is important to have the contract signed first to protect your rights as a tenant under the law.

Can my landlord hold my bond money?

No. The landlord cannot hold your bond money.

The bond money must be held by your state or territory government's bond authority. It will be held with that authority until the end of the tenancy.

You can usually lodge this directly with the bond authority. However, if your landlord lodges the bond money for you, make sure they give you an official bond lodgment form to complete. After lodgment, they then must provide you with a receipt.

If there's any damage to the property at the end of your tenancy, the landlord can make a claim to use some or all of the bond money to cover the cost of repairs. If the property is left in good condition, the bond will be refunded to you after your ‘end of lease’ or ‘final’ inspection.

Does my landlord need to give me a condition report?

Yes. Your landlord must give you a condition report that outlines the details of any existing damage, such as marks on the walls or stains on the carpet. You'll then need to:

check that the landlord’s condition report is accurate and if they have missed anything, add it to the report (it's a good idea to also take photos)
return the condition report to the landlord within seven days of signing the lease
make sure the report is signed by both you and the landlord, and
keep a copy for your records.

The report can be used as evidence if there's a dispute about damage to the property at the end of the tenancy.

Can my landlord increase my rent whenever they want?

No. Your landlord cannot increase your rent without giving you proper notice in writing.

Most states and territories prohibit rent rises during a fixed-term lease. However, you need to check that your lease agreement, as it may have a clause that says rental increases are allowed.

If you think a planned rent increase is unreasonable, you can dispute it with your landlord or get help from the relevant state or territory rental authority (listed below).

Can my landlord enter my house or apartment without my permission?

No. Your landlord cannot enter your house or apartment without your permission. However, landlords are allowed to carry out routine inspections after giving you proper notice.

There are different state and territory laws regarding:

the amount of notice they need to give, and
how often your property can be inspected.

Can my landlord keep my bond money if I move out early?

It depends on the terms of your lease agreement. If you have a fixed-term lease and you break it by moving out early, your landlord may be entitled to keep some or all of your bond money. You may also need to pay for the advertising for them to find a new tenant.

However, if your lease is month-to-month and you give proper (agreed length of time) notice before moving out, your landlord must return your bond to you, minus any unpaid rent or damages.

Can my landlord evict me without a reason?

No. Your landlord cannot evict you without a valid reason. However, you can be evicted if you do not pay your rent, or you breach the lease agreement.

If your landlord wants to evict you, they must give you written notice and follow the legal process for eviction in your state or territory.

Can my landlord charge me for repairs to the property?

It depends on the nature of the repairs and who caused the damage. Repairs that are the landlord's responsibility include:

plumbing issues
electrical faults
malfunctioning appliances such as your oven or fans, and
issues with the structure of the house, such as a leaking roof or crack in the ceiling.

However, if the damage was caused by you or your guests, this is your responsibility to get it repaired. For example, if you caused a hole in the wall, you would need to pay for the repairs yourself.

If your landlord fails to repair something in your home, please contact your local tenant rights organisation.

State and Territory tenant rights organisations

If you have any questions or concerns about your landlord's behavior, consult your local student centre or tenant rights organisation, or seek legal advice.

You are entitled to a safe and comfortable rental experience in Australia and there is always someone who can help. If you’re not sure where to start, ask your education provider for advice. All states and territories also have a local student service, hub or support centre to help you, and you can also ask the tenants’ service in your state or territory.

New South Wales: NSW Fair Trading and Tenants Advice & Advocacy Services NSW
Queensland: Tenants Queensland and Residential Tenancies Authority
Victoria: Consumer Affairs Victoria
ACT: Tenants’ Advice Service and Access Canberra
Western Australia: WA Department of Commerce and Tenancy WA
Northern Territory: Tenants’ Advice Service and Consumer Affairs Northern Territory
South Australia: Consumer and Business Services (CBS) and Tenants Information and Advisory Service
Tasmania: The Tenants‘ Union of Tasmania and Consumer Affairs

When renting a home in Australia, you can either rent a property through a registered real estate agent or rent directly from the property owner (landlord).

Renting a property using a real estate agency means that a registered agent will act as an intermediary between you and the landlord. They'll help you with the rental process, including showing you the property, processing your application, and managing your bond money.

Renting directly from the landlord is called a private lease (or private rental). This means that the landlord will handle the rental process themselves. This can be riskier for you as a tenant, because the landlord may or may not follow correct procedures. It also means that you would not be able to use the support services offered by real estate agencies.

Here are some of the most common questions international students have about their rights as a tenant in Australia, and what their landlords can and cannot do.

Can my landlord rent me the home if I haven't seen it?

By law, yes, they can. However, it is very important that you see the property before you sign a lease so that you can:

see for yourself that it is a real listing
check that the home is clean and secure, without mould or mildew, and that the appliances work
ensure that the property is in a safe and convenient location, e.g. with transport and to campus nearby, and not too much noise from construction or major roadways, and
meet the landlord of a private rental property and make sure they are a respectable, kind person.

Can my landlord ask for bond money before I sign a lease?

No. Landlords cannot ask for bond money (‘the bond’) before you sign a lease. It is important to have the contract signed first to protect your rights as a tenant under the law.

Can my landlord hold my bond money?

No. The landlord cannot hold your bond money.

The bond money must be held by your state or territory government's bond authority. It will be held with that authority until the end of the tenancy.

You can usually lodge this directly with the bond authority. However, if your landlord lodges the bond money for you, make sure they give you an official bond lodgment form to complete. After lodgment, they then must provide you with a receipt.

If there's any damage to the property at the end of your tenancy, the landlord can make a claim to use some or all of the bond money to cover the cost of repairs. If the property is left in good condition, the bond will be refunded to you after your ‘end of lease’ or ‘final’ inspection.

Does my landlord need to give me a condition report?

Yes. Your landlord must give you a condition report that outlines the details of any existing damage, such as marks on the walls or stains on the carpet. You'll then need to:

check that the landlord’s condition report is accurate and if they have missed anything, add it to the report (it's a good idea to also take photos)
return the condition report to the landlord within seven days of signing the lease
make sure the report is signed by both you and the landlord, and
keep a copy for your records.

The report can be used as evidence if there's a dispute about damage to the property at the end of the tenancy.

Can my landlord increase my rent whenever they want?

No. Your landlord cannot increase your rent without giving you proper notice in writing.

Most states and territories prohibit rent rises during a fixed-term lease. However, you need to check that your lease agreement, as it may have a clause that says rental increases are allowed.

If you think a planned rent increase is unreasonable, you can dispute it with your landlord or get help from the relevant state or territory rental authority (listed below).

Can my landlord enter my house or apartment without my permission?

No. Your landlord cannot enter your house or apartment without your permission. However, landlords are allowed to carry out routine inspections after giving you proper notice.

There are different state and territory laws regarding:

the amount of notice they need to give, and
how often your property can be inspected.

Can my landlord keep my bond money if I move out early?

It depends on the terms of your lease agreement. If you have a fixed-term lease and you break it by moving out early, your landlord may be entitled to keep some or all of your bond money. You may also need to pay for the advertising for them to find a new tenant.

However, if your lease is month-to-month and you give proper (agreed length of time) notice before moving out, your landlord must return your bond to you, minus any unpaid rent or damages.

Can my landlord evict me without a reason?

No. Your landlord cannot evict you without a valid reason. However, you can be evicted if you do not pay your rent, or you breach the lease agreement.

If your landlord wants to evict you, they must give you written notice and follow the legal process for eviction in your state or territory.

Can my landlord charge me for repairs to the property?

It depends on the nature of the repairs and who caused the damage. Repairs that are the landlord's responsibility include:

plumbing issues
electrical faults
malfunctioning appliances such as your oven or fans, and
issues with the structure of the house, such as a leaking roof or crack in the ceiling.

However, if the damage was caused by you or your guests, this is your responsibility to get it repaired. For example, if you caused a hole in the wall, you would need to pay for the repairs yourself.

If your landlord fails to repair something in your home, please contact your local tenant rights organisation.

State and Territory tenant rights organisations

If you have any questions or concerns about your landlord's behavior, consult your local student centre or tenant rights organisation, or seek legal advice.

You are entitled to a safe and comfortable rental experience in Australia and there is always someone who can help. If you’re not sure where to start, ask your education provider for advice. All states and territories also have a local student service, hub or support centre to help you, and you can also ask the tenants’ service in your state or territory.

New South Wales: NSW Fair Trading and Tenants Advice & Advocacy Services NSW
Queensland: Tenants Queensland and Residential Tenancies Authority
Victoria: Consumer Affairs Victoria
ACT: Tenants’ Advice Service and Access Canberra
Western Australia: WA Department of Commerce and Tenancy WA
Northern Territory: Tenants’ Advice Service and Consumer Affairs Northern Territory
South Australia: Consumer and Business Services (CBS) and Tenants Information and Advisory Service
Tasmania: The Tenants‘ Union of Tasmania and Consumer Affairs

在澳洲租賃房屋時，您可以透過註冊的房屋仲介租賃物業，或者直接向物產業主（房東）租賃。

使用房地產仲介機構租賃物業，意味著註冊經紀人將充當您和房東之間的中間人。他們會協助您處理租屋流程，包括向您展示物業、處理您的申請以及管理您的押金。

直接向房東租賃稱為私人租賃（或私人出租）。表示房東將自行處理租賃流程。對身為承租人的您而言，這可能更危險，因為房東不一定會遵循正確的程序。這也意味著您將無法使用房屋仲介提供的支援服務。

以下是國際學生最常提出的問題，瞭解他們身為澳洲承租人的權利，以及房東可以做什麼和不能做什麼。

如果我還沒看房，房東可以把房子租給我嗎？

根據法律，是的，可以。但是在您簽署租約之前，請務必查看物業，以便：

確認該處與廣告上相同
檢查住家是否乾淨、牢固、無黴菌，以及電器是否正常運作
確保物業處於安全方便的位置，例如交通是否靠近學校，並且施工或主要道路不會產生太多噪音，以及
認識私人出租物業的房東，並確保他們是正直善良的人。

我的房東可以在我簽署租約前要求押金嗎？

不可以。房東不得在您簽署租約前要求保證金（「押金」）。務必先簽署合約，以保障您身為承租人依法享有的權利。

我的房東可以扣押我的押金嗎？

不可以。房東不得扣押持有您的押金。

押金必須由您所在州份或領地的政府押金主管機關保管。該機關將保留至租期結束。

您通常可以直接向押金主管機關繳交押金。但是，如果您的房東代您繳交押金，請確保他們給您一份官方的押金繳納表。他們必須在繳納後提供您收據。

如果租期結束時物業有任何損壞，房東可以提出索賠，要求使用部分或全部的押金來支付維修費用。如果物業狀況良好，則在您租賃結束或最終檢查後，將退還押金給您。

我的房東是否需要提供屋況報告給我？

是的。您的房東必須給您一份狀況報告，其中概述任何現有損壞的細節，例如牆壁上的標記或地毯上的污漬。然後您需要：

檢查房東的屋況報告是否準確，如果其遺漏了任何事項，將其加入到報告中（拍照也是個好主意）
在簽署租約的七天內將屋況報告交回給房東
確保您和房東均簽署了報告，並且
保留一份副本作為紀錄。

如果租期結束時，對物業的損壞存有爭議，則可使用報告作為證據。

我的房東能否隨時提高租金？

不可以。未經書面告知您，房東不得增加您的租金。

大多數州和領地禁止在固定租期內調漲租金。但是，您需要確認您的租賃協議，因為其中可能有條款表明允許提高租金。

如果您認為計畫的租金調漲不合理，您可以向房東提出異議，或向相關州或領地的租賃主管機關（如下所列）尋求協助。

我的房東可以在未經我許可的情況下進入我的房屋或公寓嗎？

不可以。未經您的許可，您的房東不得進入您的房屋或公寓。但是，在給予您適當的通知後，房東可以進行常規檢查。

以下項目在各州和領地具有不同的法規：

房東需要給予的通知數量，以及
多久檢查一次您的物業。

如果我提早搬出，我的房東是否會保留我的押金？

這取決於您的租賃協議條款。如果您的租約為固定期限，而且提前搬出，您的房東可能有權保留您的部分或全部押金。您可能還需要為他們支付廣告費用，以尋找新的承租人。

但是，如果您的租約是每月一次，而且您在搬出前給予適當（彼此同意的期間）通知，則您的房東必須將您的押金退還給您，扣除任何未支付的租金或損失。

我的房東可以無故驅逐我嗎？

不可以。沒有正當理由，房東不得驅逐您。但是，如果您不支付租金或者違反租賃協議，可能會遭到驅逐。

如果您的房東想要驅逐您，則必須給您書面通知，並遵循您所在州或領地的驅逐法律程序。

我的房東可以向我收取物業維修費用嗎？

視維修性質及是誰造成損害而定，房東應負責之維修包括：

管線問題
電氣故障
設備故障，例如烤箱或風扇，以及
房屋結構問題，例如屋頂漏水或天花板裂縫。

但是，如果損壞是由您或您的客人造成的，您有責任進行維修。例如，如果您造成牆上的孔洞，則需要自行支付維修費用。

如果您的房東未能修理您家中的物品，請聯絡您當地的承租人權利組織。

州和領地承租人權利組織

如果您對房東的行為有任何問題或疑慮，請諮詢您當地的學生中心或承租人權利組織，或尋求法律建議。

您有權在澳洲享受安全舒適的租房體驗，而且永遠有人願意為您提供協助。如果您不確定從何處開始，請向您就讀的學校尋求建議。所有州和領地都設有當地的學生服務、中心或支援中心為您提供幫助，您可以詢問在您所在州或領地的承租人服務。

新南威爾斯：公平交易委員會（NSW Fair Trading）與租客諮詢及倡護服務（Tenants Advice & Advocacy Services NSW）
昆士蘭：昆士蘭承租人（Tenants Queensland）和住宅租期管理局（Residential Tenancies Authority）
維多利亞：維多利亞消費者事務（承租人）
ACT：租客諮詢服務（Tenants’ Advice Service）與 Access Canberra
西澳：西澳商務部（WA Department of Commerce）和西澳州租期局（Tenancy WA）
北領地：租客諮詢服務（Tenants’ Advice Service）與北領地消費者事務署（Consumer Affairs Northern Territory）
南澳：消費者與商業服務（Consumer and Business Services, CBS）與租客資訊及諮詢服務（Tenants Information and Advisory Service）
塔斯馬尼亞：塔斯馬尼亞租客聯盟（The Tenants‘ Union of Tasmania）與消費者事務署（Consumer Affairs）