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A popular accommodation option for students in Australia is sharing a house or apartment with others. This can reduce your living costs and it’s a great way to meet new people, but it's still important to be aware of your rights as a tenant.
In this blog post, we'll explain exactly what a share house is and how to make sure you are protected by Australian tenancy laws.
What is a share house?
A share house, also known as a ‘flat share’ or a ‘house share’, is when two or more people rent a house or apartment together. Typically, each person will have their own private bedroom while sharing common areas such as the kitchen, living room and bathroom.
The number of people sharing a house will depend on the size of the property and what has been agreed with your landlord (the property owner).
You and your house mates (the people you live with) will divide the costs and responsibilities of the home.
Get some tips on finding a share house here.
Joining a share house
Co-renting
Co-renting is when you and two or more people sign a lease either directly with the landlord or with an agent. This means that responsibility for the tenancy is shared by you and your house mates.
Make sure you know your rights before signing any lease agreement.
Sub-letting
When you join an existing share house, one of the existing tenants can arrange this. This is called “sub-letting”. This is legal in Australia, but only if the landlord has given their permission. Without that permission, the sub-lease is not valid, and you aren’t protected by tenancy laws.
Things to be aware of:
- A landlord or agent can’t charge a fee for agreeing to a sub-lease.
- The agreement between the head-tenant and sub-tenant needs be in writing so that you are protected by Australian laws. You can download sub-letting agreements on the website of your state or territory tenancy authority.
- The head-tenant has the same responsibilities as a landlord. This means that they need to give you the agreement, an entry condition report and ensure that your bond is lodged with the correct authority.
- The landlord can’t reject you as a sub-letter without a reasonable reason (such as there being too many tenants in the home).
The bond (security deposit)
If the landlord gives permission for the sub-let and the head-tenant takes a bond from you, it’s the head-tenant’s responsibility to lodge it with the relevant state body and provide you with a receipt. However, most of the time you can lodge it yourself online.
Make sure that the head-tenant doesn’t hold your money themselves. You will have no legal protection when you leave the home if they refuse to refund it to you.
Understand your rights and responsibilities
Here are some things to be aware of when looking for a share house:
- Always visit the house in person as photos are not always accurate.
- Do not transfer money before signing a lease or viewing the property.
Read the lease agreement carefully and make sure that it includes all necessary details such as:
- How much rent you’ll be paying and into which account you will pay.
- The duration of the lease.
- How the utility bills are paid.
- Who is in charge of home maintenance.
- What to do if you want to leave the home before the end of the agreement. For example, how much notice you need to give and whether you need to keep paying the rent until a new tenant is found.
- What happens if the head-tenant wants you to move out.
Find out more about your rights as a tenant.
Document everything
Keep a record of all communications regarding the home, including:
- emails
- text messages
- agreements with your landlord or house mates.
These records can be very helpful if there are any disagreements in the future. It’s also a good idea to take pictures when you move in to have evidence in case of any disagreements over the security deposit.
Leaving a share house
A lease doesn’t end until all tenants leave the property and return the keys. If you move out of a share house before the end of the agreement, check it to see how much notice you need to give and whether you need to find a new tenant.
If the head-tenant wants you to leave the home, then they must also give you the amount of notice that is written in the agreement.
Make sure that you take your name off the agreement so that you’re not responsible for the home anymore. The procedures for leaving a share house are slightly different depending on what state or territory you are in. But you will most likely need to fill out a form which you’ll be able to download from your state or territory rental rights body (listed below).
Tenancy support
If you find yourself in a situation where your rights as a tenant are being violated, don't hesitate to get help. Contact the rental rights body 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: 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
A popular accommodation option for students in Australia is sharing a house or apartment with others. This can reduce your living costs and it’s a great way to meet new people, but it's still important to be aware of your rights as a tenant.
In this blog post, we'll explain exactly what a share house is and how to make sure you are protected by Australian tenancy laws.
What is a share house?
A share house, also known as a ‘flat share’ or a ‘house share’, is when two or more people rent a house or apartment together. Typically, each person will have their own private bedroom while sharing common areas such as the kitchen, living room and bathroom.
The number of people sharing a house will depend on the size of the property and what has been agreed with your landlord (the property owner).
You and your house mates (the people you live with) will divide the costs and responsibilities of the home.
Get some tips on finding a share house here.
Joining a share house
Co-renting
Co-renting is when you and two or more people sign a lease either directly with the landlord or with an agent. This means that responsibility for the tenancy is shared by you and your house mates.
Make sure you know your rights before signing any lease agreement.
Sub-letting
When you join an existing share house, one of the existing tenants can arrange this. This is called “sub-letting”. This is legal in Australia, but only if the landlord has given their permission. Without that permission, the sub-lease is not valid, and you aren’t protected by tenancy laws.
Things to be aware of:
- A landlord or agent can’t charge a fee for agreeing to a sub-lease.
- The agreement between the head-tenant and sub-tenant needs be in writing so that you are protected by Australian laws. You can download sub-letting agreements on the website of your state or territory tenancy authority.
- The head-tenant has the same responsibilities as a landlord. This means that they need to give you the agreement, an entry condition report and ensure that your bond is lodged with the correct authority.
- The landlord can’t reject you as a sub-letter without a reasonable reason (such as there being too many tenants in the home).
The bond (security deposit)
If the landlord gives permission for the sub-let and the head-tenant takes a bond from you, it’s the head-tenant’s responsibility to lodge it with the relevant state body and provide you with a receipt. However, most of the time you can lodge it yourself online.
Make sure that the head-tenant doesn’t hold your money themselves. You will have no legal protection when you leave the home if they refuse to refund it to you.
Understand your rights and responsibilities
Here are some things to be aware of when looking for a share house:
- Always visit the house in person as photos are not always accurate.
- Do not transfer money before signing a lease or viewing the property.
Read the lease agreement carefully and make sure that it includes all necessary details such as:
- How much rent you’ll be paying and into which account you will pay.
- The duration of the lease.
- How the utility bills are paid.
- Who is in charge of home maintenance.
- What to do if you want to leave the home before the end of the agreement. For example, how much notice you need to give and whether you need to keep paying the rent until a new tenant is found.
- What happens if the head-tenant wants you to move out.
Find out more about your rights as a tenant.
Document everything
Keep a record of all communications regarding the home, including:
- emails
- text messages
- agreements with your landlord or house mates.
These records can be very helpful if there are any disagreements in the future. It’s also a good idea to take pictures when you move in to have evidence in case of any disagreements over the security deposit.
Leaving a share house
A lease doesn’t end until all tenants leave the property and return the keys. If you move out of a share house before the end of the agreement, check it to see how much notice you need to give and whether you need to find a new tenant.
If the head-tenant wants you to leave the home, then they must also give you the amount of notice that is written in the agreement.
Make sure that you take your name off the agreement so that you’re not responsible for the home anymore. The procedures for leaving a share house are slightly different depending on what state or territory you are in. But you will most likely need to fill out a form which you’ll be able to download from your state or territory rental rights body (listed below).
Tenancy support
If you find yourself in a situation where your rights as a tenant are being violated, don't hesitate to get help. Contact the rental rights body 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: 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
A popular accommodation option for students in Australia is sharing a house or apartment with others. This can reduce your living costs and it’s a great way to meet new people, but it's still important to be aware of your rights as a tenant.
In this blog post, we'll explain exactly what a share house is and how to make sure you are protected by Australian tenancy laws.
What is a share house?
A share house, also known as a ‘flat share’ or a ‘house share’, is when two or more people rent a house or apartment together. Typically, each person will have their own private bedroom while sharing common areas such as the kitchen, living room and bathroom.
The number of people sharing a house will depend on the size of the property and what has been agreed with your landlord (the property owner).
You and your house mates (the people you live with) will divide the costs and responsibilities of the home.
Get some tips on finding a share house here.
Joining a share house
Co-renting
Co-renting is when you and two or more people sign a lease either directly with the landlord or with an agent. This means that responsibility for the tenancy is shared by you and your house mates.
Make sure you know your rights before signing any lease agreement.
Sub-letting
When you join an existing share house, one of the existing tenants can arrange this. This is called “sub-letting”. This is legal in Australia, but only if the landlord has given their permission. Without that permission, the sub-lease is not valid, and you aren’t protected by tenancy laws.
Things to be aware of:
- A landlord or agent can’t charge a fee for agreeing to a sub-lease.
- The agreement between the head-tenant and sub-tenant needs be in writing so that you are protected by Australian laws. You can download sub-letting agreements on the website of your state or territory tenancy authority.
- The head-tenant has the same responsibilities as a landlord. This means that they need to give you the agreement, an entry condition report and ensure that your bond is lodged with the correct authority.
- The landlord can’t reject you as a sub-letter without a reasonable reason (such as there being too many tenants in the home).
The bond (security deposit)
If the landlord gives permission for the sub-let and the head-tenant takes a bond from you, it’s the head-tenant’s responsibility to lodge it with the relevant state body and provide you with a receipt. However, most of the time you can lodge it yourself online.
Make sure that the head-tenant doesn’t hold your money themselves. You will have no legal protection when you leave the home if they refuse to refund it to you.
Understand your rights and responsibilities
Here are some things to be aware of when looking for a share house:
- Always visit the house in person as photos are not always accurate.
- Do not transfer money before signing a lease or viewing the property.
Read the lease agreement carefully and make sure that it includes all necessary details such as:
- How much rent you’ll be paying and into which account you will pay.
- The duration of the lease.
- How the utility bills are paid.
- Who is in charge of home maintenance.
- What to do if you want to leave the home before the end of the agreement. For example, how much notice you need to give and whether you need to keep paying the rent until a new tenant is found.
- What happens if the head-tenant wants you to move out.
Find out more about your rights as a tenant.
Document everything
Keep a record of all communications regarding the home, including:
- emails
- text messages
- agreements with your landlord or house mates.
These records can be very helpful if there are any disagreements in the future. It’s also a good idea to take pictures when you move in to have evidence in case of any disagreements over the security deposit.
Leaving a share house
A lease doesn’t end until all tenants leave the property and return the keys. If you move out of a share house before the end of the agreement, check it to see how much notice you need to give and whether you need to find a new tenant.
If the head-tenant wants you to leave the home, then they must also give you the amount of notice that is written in the agreement.
Make sure that you take your name off the agreement so that you’re not responsible for the home anymore. The procedures for leaving a share house are slightly different depending on what state or territory you are in. But you will most likely need to fill out a form which you’ll be able to download from your state or territory rental rights body (listed below).
Tenancy support
If you find yourself in a situation where your rights as a tenant are being violated, don't hesitate to get help. Contact the rental rights body 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: 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
A popular accommodation option for students in Australia is sharing a house or apartment with others. This can reduce your living costs and it’s a great way to meet new people, but it's still important to be aware of your rights as a tenant.
In this blog post, we'll explain exactly what a share house is and how to make sure you are protected by Australian tenancy laws.
What is a share house?
A share house, also known as a ‘flat share’ or a ‘house share’, is when two or more people rent a house or apartment together. Typically, each person will have their own private bedroom while sharing common areas such as the kitchen, living room and bathroom.
The number of people sharing a house will depend on the size of the property and what has been agreed with your landlord (the property owner).
You and your house mates (the people you live with) will divide the costs and responsibilities of the home.
Get some tips on finding a share house here.
Joining a share house
Co-renting
Co-renting is when you and two or more people sign a lease either directly with the landlord or with an agent. This means that responsibility for the tenancy is shared by you and your house mates.
Make sure you know your rights before signing any lease agreement.
Sub-letting
When you join an existing share house, one of the existing tenants can arrange this. This is called “sub-letting”. This is legal in Australia, but only if the landlord has given their permission. Without that permission, the sub-lease is not valid, and you aren’t protected by tenancy laws.
Things to be aware of:
- A landlord or agent can’t charge a fee for agreeing to a sub-lease.
- The agreement between the head-tenant and sub-tenant needs be in writing so that you are protected by Australian laws. You can download sub-letting agreements on the website of your state or territory tenancy authority.
- The head-tenant has the same responsibilities as a landlord. This means that they need to give you the agreement, an entry condition report and ensure that your bond is lodged with the correct authority.
- The landlord can’t reject you as a sub-letter without a reasonable reason (such as there being too many tenants in the home).
The bond (security deposit)
If the landlord gives permission for the sub-let and the head-tenant takes a bond from you, it’s the head-tenant’s responsibility to lodge it with the relevant state body and provide you with a receipt. However, most of the time you can lodge it yourself online.
Make sure that the head-tenant doesn’t hold your money themselves. You will have no legal protection when you leave the home if they refuse to refund it to you.
Understand your rights and responsibilities
Here are some things to be aware of when looking for a share house:
- Always visit the house in person as photos are not always accurate.
- Do not transfer money before signing a lease or viewing the property.
Read the lease agreement carefully and make sure that it includes all necessary details such as:
- How much rent you’ll be paying and into which account you will pay.
- The duration of the lease.
- How the utility bills are paid.
- Who is in charge of home maintenance.
- What to do if you want to leave the home before the end of the agreement. For example, how much notice you need to give and whether you need to keep paying the rent until a new tenant is found.
- What happens if the head-tenant wants you to move out.
Find out more about your rights as a tenant.
Document everything
Keep a record of all communications regarding the home, including:
- emails
- text messages
- agreements with your landlord or house mates.
These records can be very helpful if there are any disagreements in the future. It’s also a good idea to take pictures when you move in to have evidence in case of any disagreements over the security deposit.
Leaving a share house
A lease doesn’t end until all tenants leave the property and return the keys. If you move out of a share house before the end of the agreement, check it to see how much notice you need to give and whether you need to find a new tenant.
If the head-tenant wants you to leave the home, then they must also give you the amount of notice that is written in the agreement.
Make sure that you take your name off the agreement so that you’re not responsible for the home anymore. The procedures for leaving a share house are slightly different depending on what state or territory you are in. But you will most likely need to fill out a form which you’ll be able to download from your state or territory rental rights body (listed below).
Tenancy support
If you find yourself in a situation where your rights as a tenant are being violated, don't hesitate to get help. Contact the rental rights body 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: 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
A popular accommodation option for students in Australia is sharing a house or apartment with others. This can reduce your living costs and it’s a great way to meet new people, but it's still important to be aware of your rights as a tenant.
In this blog post, we'll explain exactly what a share house is and how to make sure you are protected by Australian tenancy laws.
What is a share house?
A share house, also known as a ‘flat share’ or a ‘house share’, is when two or more people rent a house or apartment together. Typically, each person will have their own private bedroom while sharing common areas such as the kitchen, living room and bathroom.
The number of people sharing a house will depend on the size of the property and what has been agreed with your landlord (the property owner).
You and your house mates (the people you live with) will divide the costs and responsibilities of the home.
Get some tips on finding a share house here.
Joining a share house
Co-renting
Co-renting is when you and two or more people sign a lease either directly with the landlord or with an agent. This means that responsibility for the tenancy is shared by you and your house mates.
Make sure you know your rights before signing any lease agreement.
Sub-letting
When you join an existing share house, one of the existing tenants can arrange this. This is called “sub-letting”. This is legal in Australia, but only if the landlord has given their permission. Without that permission, the sub-lease is not valid, and you aren’t protected by tenancy laws.
Things to be aware of:
- A landlord or agent can’t charge a fee for agreeing to a sub-lease.
- The agreement between the head-tenant and sub-tenant needs be in writing so that you are protected by Australian laws. You can download sub-letting agreements on the website of your state or territory tenancy authority.
- The head-tenant has the same responsibilities as a landlord. This means that they need to give you the agreement, an entry condition report and ensure that your bond is lodged with the correct authority.
- The landlord can’t reject you as a sub-letter without a reasonable reason (such as there being too many tenants in the home).
The bond (security deposit)
If the landlord gives permission for the sub-let and the head-tenant takes a bond from you, it’s the head-tenant’s responsibility to lodge it with the relevant state body and provide you with a receipt. However, most of the time you can lodge it yourself online.
Make sure that the head-tenant doesn’t hold your money themselves. You will have no legal protection when you leave the home if they refuse to refund it to you.
Understand your rights and responsibilities
Here are some things to be aware of when looking for a share house:
- Always visit the house in person as photos are not always accurate.
- Do not transfer money before signing a lease or viewing the property.
Read the lease agreement carefully and make sure that it includes all necessary details such as:
- How much rent you’ll be paying and into which account you will pay.
- The duration of the lease.
- How the utility bills are paid.
- Who is in charge of home maintenance.
- What to do if you want to leave the home before the end of the agreement. For example, how much notice you need to give and whether you need to keep paying the rent until a new tenant is found.
- What happens if the head-tenant wants you to move out.
Find out more about your rights as a tenant.
Document everything
Keep a record of all communications regarding the home, including:
- emails
- text messages
- agreements with your landlord or house mates.
These records can be very helpful if there are any disagreements in the future. It’s also a good idea to take pictures when you move in to have evidence in case of any disagreements over the security deposit.
Leaving a share house
A lease doesn’t end until all tenants leave the property and return the keys. If you move out of a share house before the end of the agreement, check it to see how much notice you need to give and whether you need to find a new tenant.
If the head-tenant wants you to leave the home, then they must also give you the amount of notice that is written in the agreement.
Make sure that you take your name off the agreement so that you’re not responsible for the home anymore. The procedures for leaving a share house are slightly different depending on what state or territory you are in. But you will most likely need to fill out a form which you’ll be able to download from your state or territory rental rights body (listed below).
Tenancy support
If you find yourself in a situation where your rights as a tenant are being violated, don't hesitate to get help. Contact the rental rights body 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: 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
A popular accommodation option for students in Australia is sharing a house or apartment with others. This can reduce your living costs and it’s a great way to meet new people, but it's still important to be aware of your rights as a tenant.
In this blog post, we'll explain exactly what a share house is and how to make sure you are protected by Australian tenancy laws.
What is a share house?
A share house, also known as a ‘flat share’ or a ‘house share’, is when two or more people rent a house or apartment together. Typically, each person will have their own private bedroom while sharing common areas such as the kitchen, living room and bathroom.
The number of people sharing a house will depend on the size of the property and what has been agreed with your landlord (the property owner).
You and your house mates (the people you live with) will divide the costs and responsibilities of the home.
Get some tips on finding a share house here.
Joining a share house
Co-renting
Co-renting is when you and two or more people sign a lease either directly with the landlord or with an agent. This means that responsibility for the tenancy is shared by you and your house mates.
Make sure you know your rights before signing any lease agreement.
Sub-letting
When you join an existing share house, one of the existing tenants can arrange this. This is called “sub-letting”. This is legal in Australia, but only if the landlord has given their permission. Without that permission, the sub-lease is not valid, and you aren’t protected by tenancy laws.
Things to be aware of:
- A landlord or agent can’t charge a fee for agreeing to a sub-lease.
- The agreement between the head-tenant and sub-tenant needs be in writing so that you are protected by Australian laws. You can download sub-letting agreements on the website of your state or territory tenancy authority.
- The head-tenant has the same responsibilities as a landlord. This means that they need to give you the agreement, an entry condition report and ensure that your bond is lodged with the correct authority.
- The landlord can’t reject you as a sub-letter without a reasonable reason (such as there being too many tenants in the home).
The bond (security deposit)
If the landlord gives permission for the sub-let and the head-tenant takes a bond from you, it’s the head-tenant’s responsibility to lodge it with the relevant state body and provide you with a receipt. However, most of the time you can lodge it yourself online.
Make sure that the head-tenant doesn’t hold your money themselves. You will have no legal protection when you leave the home if they refuse to refund it to you.
Understand your rights and responsibilities
Here are some things to be aware of when looking for a share house:
- Always visit the house in person as photos are not always accurate.
- Do not transfer money before signing a lease or viewing the property.
Read the lease agreement carefully and make sure that it includes all necessary details such as:
- How much rent you’ll be paying and into which account you will pay.
- The duration of the lease.
- How the utility bills are paid.
- Who is in charge of home maintenance.
- What to do if you want to leave the home before the end of the agreement. For example, how much notice you need to give and whether you need to keep paying the rent until a new tenant is found.
- What happens if the head-tenant wants you to move out.
Find out more about your rights as a tenant.
Document everything
Keep a record of all communications regarding the home, including:
- emails
- text messages
- agreements with your landlord or house mates.
These records can be very helpful if there are any disagreements in the future. It’s also a good idea to take pictures when you move in to have evidence in case of any disagreements over the security deposit.
Leaving a share house
A lease doesn’t end until all tenants leave the property and return the keys. If you move out of a share house before the end of the agreement, check it to see how much notice you need to give and whether you need to find a new tenant.
If the head-tenant wants you to leave the home, then they must also give you the amount of notice that is written in the agreement.
Make sure that you take your name off the agreement so that you’re not responsible for the home anymore. The procedures for leaving a share house are slightly different depending on what state or territory you are in. But you will most likely need to fill out a form which you’ll be able to download from your state or territory rental rights body (listed below).
Tenancy support
If you find yourself in a situation where your rights as a tenant are being violated, don't hesitate to get help. Contact the rental rights body 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: 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
A popular accommodation option for students in Australia is sharing a house or apartment with others. This can reduce your living costs and it’s a great way to meet new people, but it's still important to be aware of your rights as a tenant.
In this blog post, we'll explain exactly what a share house is and how to make sure you are protected by Australian tenancy laws.
What is a share house?
A share house, also known as a ‘flat share’ or a ‘house share’, is when two or more people rent a house or apartment together. Typically, each person will have their own private bedroom while sharing common areas such as the kitchen, living room and bathroom.
The number of people sharing a house will depend on the size of the property and what has been agreed with your landlord (the property owner).
You and your house mates (the people you live with) will divide the costs and responsibilities of the home.
Get some tips on finding a share house here.
Joining a share house
Co-renting
Co-renting is when you and two or more people sign a lease either directly with the landlord or with an agent. This means that responsibility for the tenancy is shared by you and your house mates.
Make sure you know your rights before signing any lease agreement.
Sub-letting
When you join an existing share house, one of the existing tenants can arrange this. This is called “sub-letting”. This is legal in Australia, but only if the landlord has given their permission. Without that permission, the sub-lease is not valid, and you aren’t protected by tenancy laws.
Things to be aware of:
- A landlord or agent can’t charge a fee for agreeing to a sub-lease.
- The agreement between the head-tenant and sub-tenant needs be in writing so that you are protected by Australian laws. You can download sub-letting agreements on the website of your state or territory tenancy authority.
- The head-tenant has the same responsibilities as a landlord. This means that they need to give you the agreement, an entry condition report and ensure that your bond is lodged with the correct authority.
- The landlord can’t reject you as a sub-letter without a reasonable reason (such as there being too many tenants in the home).
The bond (security deposit)
If the landlord gives permission for the sub-let and the head-tenant takes a bond from you, it’s the head-tenant’s responsibility to lodge it with the relevant state body and provide you with a receipt. However, most of the time you can lodge it yourself online.
Make sure that the head-tenant doesn’t hold your money themselves. You will have no legal protection when you leave the home if they refuse to refund it to you.
Understand your rights and responsibilities
Here are some things to be aware of when looking for a share house:
- Always visit the house in person as photos are not always accurate.
- Do not transfer money before signing a lease or viewing the property.
Read the lease agreement carefully and make sure that it includes all necessary details such as:
- How much rent you’ll be paying and into which account you will pay.
- The duration of the lease.
- How the utility bills are paid.
- Who is in charge of home maintenance.
- What to do if you want to leave the home before the end of the agreement. For example, how much notice you need to give and whether you need to keep paying the rent until a new tenant is found.
- What happens if the head-tenant wants you to move out.
Find out more about your rights as a tenant.
Document everything
Keep a record of all communications regarding the home, including:
- emails
- text messages
- agreements with your landlord or house mates.
These records can be very helpful if there are any disagreements in the future. It’s also a good idea to take pictures when you move in to have evidence in case of any disagreements over the security deposit.
Leaving a share house
A lease doesn’t end until all tenants leave the property and return the keys. If you move out of a share house before the end of the agreement, check it to see how much notice you need to give and whether you need to find a new tenant.
If the head-tenant wants you to leave the home, then they must also give you the amount of notice that is written in the agreement.
Make sure that you take your name off the agreement so that you’re not responsible for the home anymore. The procedures for leaving a share house are slightly different depending on what state or territory you are in. But you will most likely need to fill out a form which you’ll be able to download from your state or territory rental rights body (listed below).
Tenancy support
If you find yourself in a situation where your rights as a tenant are being violated, don't hesitate to get help. Contact the rental rights body 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: 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
A popular accommodation option for students in Australia is sharing a house or apartment with others. This can reduce your living costs and it’s a great way to meet new people, but it's still important to be aware of your rights as a tenant.
In this blog post, we'll explain exactly what a share house is and how to make sure you are protected by Australian tenancy laws.
What is a share house?
A share house, also known as a ‘flat share’ or a ‘house share’, is when two or more people rent a house or apartment together. Typically, each person will have their own private bedroom while sharing common areas such as the kitchen, living room and bathroom.
The number of people sharing a house will depend on the size of the property and what has been agreed with your landlord (the property owner).
You and your house mates (the people you live with) will divide the costs and responsibilities of the home.
Get some tips on finding a share house here.
Joining a share house
Co-renting
Co-renting is when you and two or more people sign a lease either directly with the landlord or with an agent. This means that responsibility for the tenancy is shared by you and your house mates.
Make sure you know your rights before signing any lease agreement.
Sub-letting
When you join an existing share house, one of the existing tenants can arrange this. This is called “sub-letting”. This is legal in Australia, but only if the landlord has given their permission. Without that permission, the sub-lease is not valid, and you aren’t protected by tenancy laws.
Things to be aware of:
- A landlord or agent can’t charge a fee for agreeing to a sub-lease.
- The agreement between the head-tenant and sub-tenant needs be in writing so that you are protected by Australian laws. You can download sub-letting agreements on the website of your state or territory tenancy authority.
- The head-tenant has the same responsibilities as a landlord. This means that they need to give you the agreement, an entry condition report and ensure that your bond is lodged with the correct authority.
- The landlord can’t reject you as a sub-letter without a reasonable reason (such as there being too many tenants in the home).
The bond (security deposit)
If the landlord gives permission for the sub-let and the head-tenant takes a bond from you, it’s the head-tenant’s responsibility to lodge it with the relevant state body and provide you with a receipt. However, most of the time you can lodge it yourself online.
Make sure that the head-tenant doesn’t hold your money themselves. You will have no legal protection when you leave the home if they refuse to refund it to you.
Understand your rights and responsibilities
Here are some things to be aware of when looking for a share house:
- Always visit the house in person as photos are not always accurate.
- Do not transfer money before signing a lease or viewing the property.
Read the lease agreement carefully and make sure that it includes all necessary details such as:
- How much rent you’ll be paying and into which account you will pay.
- The duration of the lease.
- How the utility bills are paid.
- Who is in charge of home maintenance.
- What to do if you want to leave the home before the end of the agreement. For example, how much notice you need to give and whether you need to keep paying the rent until a new tenant is found.
- What happens if the head-tenant wants you to move out.
Find out more about your rights as a tenant.
Document everything
Keep a record of all communications regarding the home, including:
- emails
- text messages
- agreements with your landlord or house mates.
These records can be very helpful if there are any disagreements in the future. It’s also a good idea to take pictures when you move in to have evidence in case of any disagreements over the security deposit.
Leaving a share house
A lease doesn’t end until all tenants leave the property and return the keys. If you move out of a share house before the end of the agreement, check it to see how much notice you need to give and whether you need to find a new tenant.
If the head-tenant wants you to leave the home, then they must also give you the amount of notice that is written in the agreement.
Make sure that you take your name off the agreement so that you’re not responsible for the home anymore. The procedures for leaving a share house are slightly different depending on what state or territory you are in. But you will most likely need to fill out a form which you’ll be able to download from your state or territory rental rights body (listed below).
Tenancy support
If you find yourself in a situation where your rights as a tenant are being violated, don't hesitate to get help. Contact the rental rights body 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: 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
A popular accommodation option for students in Australia is sharing a house or apartment with others. This can reduce your living costs and it’s a great way to meet new people, but it's still important to be aware of your rights as a tenant.
In this blog post, we'll explain exactly what a share house is and how to make sure you are protected by Australian tenancy laws.
What is a share house?
A share house, also known as a ‘flat share’ or a ‘house share’, is when two or more people rent a house or apartment together. Typically, each person will have their own private bedroom while sharing common areas such as the kitchen, living room and bathroom.
The number of people sharing a house will depend on the size of the property and what has been agreed with your landlord (the property owner).
You and your house mates (the people you live with) will divide the costs and responsibilities of the home.
Get some tips on finding a share house here.
Joining a share house
Co-renting
Co-renting is when you and two or more people sign a lease either directly with the landlord or with an agent. This means that responsibility for the tenancy is shared by you and your house mates.
Make sure you know your rights before signing any lease agreement.
Sub-letting
When you join an existing share house, one of the existing tenants can arrange this. This is called “sub-letting”. This is legal in Australia, but only if the landlord has given their permission. Without that permission, the sub-lease is not valid, and you aren’t protected by tenancy laws.
Things to be aware of:
- A landlord or agent can’t charge a fee for agreeing to a sub-lease.
- The agreement between the head-tenant and sub-tenant needs be in writing so that you are protected by Australian laws. You can download sub-letting agreements on the website of your state or territory tenancy authority.
- The head-tenant has the same responsibilities as a landlord. This means that they need to give you the agreement, an entry condition report and ensure that your bond is lodged with the correct authority.
- The landlord can’t reject you as a sub-letter without a reasonable reason (such as there being too many tenants in the home).
The bond (security deposit)
If the landlord gives permission for the sub-let and the head-tenant takes a bond from you, it’s the head-tenant’s responsibility to lodge it with the relevant state body and provide you with a receipt. However, most of the time you can lodge it yourself online.
Make sure that the head-tenant doesn’t hold your money themselves. You will have no legal protection when you leave the home if they refuse to refund it to you.
Understand your rights and responsibilities
Here are some things to be aware of when looking for a share house:
- Always visit the house in person as photos are not always accurate.
- Do not transfer money before signing a lease or viewing the property.
Read the lease agreement carefully and make sure that it includes all necessary details such as:
- How much rent you’ll be paying and into which account you will pay.
- The duration of the lease.
- How the utility bills are paid.
- Who is in charge of home maintenance.
- What to do if you want to leave the home before the end of the agreement. For example, how much notice you need to give and whether you need to keep paying the rent until a new tenant is found.
- What happens if the head-tenant wants you to move out.
Find out more about your rights as a tenant.
Document everything
Keep a record of all communications regarding the home, including:
- emails
- text messages
- agreements with your landlord or house mates.
These records can be very helpful if there are any disagreements in the future. It’s also a good idea to take pictures when you move in to have evidence in case of any disagreements over the security deposit.
Leaving a share house
A lease doesn’t end until all tenants leave the property and return the keys. If you move out of a share house before the end of the agreement, check it to see how much notice you need to give and whether you need to find a new tenant.
If the head-tenant wants you to leave the home, then they must also give you the amount of notice that is written in the agreement.
Make sure that you take your name off the agreement so that you’re not responsible for the home anymore. The procedures for leaving a share house are slightly different depending on what state or territory you are in. But you will most likely need to fill out a form which you’ll be able to download from your state or territory rental rights body (listed below).
Tenancy support
If you find yourself in a situation where your rights as a tenant are being violated, don't hesitate to get help. Contact the rental rights body 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: 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
A popular accommodation option for students in Australia is sharing a house or apartment with others. This can reduce your living costs and it’s a great way to meet new people, but it's still important to be aware of your rights as a tenant.
In this blog post, we'll explain exactly what a share house is and how to make sure you are protected by Australian tenancy laws.
What is a share house?
A share house, also known as a ‘flat share’ or a ‘house share’, is when two or more people rent a house or apartment together. Typically, each person will have their own private bedroom while sharing common areas such as the kitchen, living room and bathroom.
The number of people sharing a house will depend on the size of the property and what has been agreed with your landlord (the property owner).
You and your house mates (the people you live with) will divide the costs and responsibilities of the home.
Get some tips on finding a share house here.
Joining a share house
Co-renting
Co-renting is when you and two or more people sign a lease either directly with the landlord or with an agent. This means that responsibility for the tenancy is shared by you and your house mates.
Make sure you know your rights before signing any lease agreement.
Sub-letting
When you join an existing share house, one of the existing tenants can arrange this. This is called “sub-letting”. This is legal in Australia, but only if the landlord has given their permission. Without that permission, the sub-lease is not valid, and you aren’t protected by tenancy laws.
Things to be aware of:
- A landlord or agent can’t charge a fee for agreeing to a sub-lease.
- The agreement between the head-tenant and sub-tenant needs be in writing so that you are protected by Australian laws. You can download sub-letting agreements on the website of your state or territory tenancy authority.
- The head-tenant has the same responsibilities as a landlord. This means that they need to give you the agreement, an entry condition report and ensure that your bond is lodged with the correct authority.
- The landlord can’t reject you as a sub-letter without a reasonable reason (such as there being too many tenants in the home).
The bond (security deposit)
If the landlord gives permission for the sub-let and the head-tenant takes a bond from you, it’s the head-tenant’s responsibility to lodge it with the relevant state body and provide you with a receipt. However, most of the time you can lodge it yourself online.
Make sure that the head-tenant doesn’t hold your money themselves. You will have no legal protection when you leave the home if they refuse to refund it to you.
Understand your rights and responsibilities
Here are some things to be aware of when looking for a share house:
- Always visit the house in person as photos are not always accurate.
- Do not transfer money before signing a lease or viewing the property.
Read the lease agreement carefully and make sure that it includes all necessary details such as:
- How much rent you’ll be paying and into which account you will pay.
- The duration of the lease.
- How the utility bills are paid.
- Who is in charge of home maintenance.
- What to do if you want to leave the home before the end of the agreement. For example, how much notice you need to give and whether you need to keep paying the rent until a new tenant is found.
- What happens if the head-tenant wants you to move out.
Find out more about your rights as a tenant.
Document everything
Keep a record of all communications regarding the home, including:
- emails
- text messages
- agreements with your landlord or house mates.
These records can be very helpful if there are any disagreements in the future. It’s also a good idea to take pictures when you move in to have evidence in case of any disagreements over the security deposit.
Leaving a share house
A lease doesn’t end until all tenants leave the property and return the keys. If you move out of a share house before the end of the agreement, check it to see how much notice you need to give and whether you need to find a new tenant.
If the head-tenant wants you to leave the home, then they must also give you the amount of notice that is written in the agreement.
Make sure that you take your name off the agreement so that you’re not responsible for the home anymore. The procedures for leaving a share house are slightly different depending on what state or territory you are in. But you will most likely need to fill out a form which you’ll be able to download from your state or territory rental rights body (listed below).
Tenancy support
If you find yourself in a situation where your rights as a tenant are being violated, don't hesitate to get help. Contact the rental rights body 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: 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
A popular accommodation option for students in Australia is sharing a house or apartment with others. This can reduce your living costs and it’s a great way to meet new people, but it's still important to be aware of your rights as a tenant.
In this blog post, we'll explain exactly what a share house is and how to make sure you are protected by Australian tenancy laws.
What is a share house?
A share house, also known as a ‘flat share’ or a ‘house share’, is when two or more people rent a house or apartment together. Typically, each person will have their own private bedroom while sharing common areas such as the kitchen, living room and bathroom.
The number of people sharing a house will depend on the size of the property and what has been agreed with your landlord (the property owner).
You and your house mates (the people you live with) will divide the costs and responsibilities of the home.
Get some tips on finding a share house here.
Joining a share house
Co-renting
Co-renting is when you and two or more people sign a lease either directly with the landlord or with an agent. This means that responsibility for the tenancy is shared by you and your house mates.
Make sure you know your rights before signing any lease agreement.
Sub-letting
When you join an existing share house, one of the existing tenants can arrange this. This is called “sub-letting”. This is legal in Australia, but only if the landlord has given their permission. Without that permission, the sub-lease is not valid, and you aren’t protected by tenancy laws.
Things to be aware of:
- A landlord or agent can’t charge a fee for agreeing to a sub-lease.
- The agreement between the head-tenant and sub-tenant needs be in writing so that you are protected by Australian laws. You can download sub-letting agreements on the website of your state or territory tenancy authority.
- The head-tenant has the same responsibilities as a landlord. This means that they need to give you the agreement, an entry condition report and ensure that your bond is lodged with the correct authority.
- The landlord can’t reject you as a sub-letter without a reasonable reason (such as there being too many tenants in the home).
The bond (security deposit)
If the landlord gives permission for the sub-let and the head-tenant takes a bond from you, it’s the head-tenant’s responsibility to lodge it with the relevant state body and provide you with a receipt. However, most of the time you can lodge it yourself online.
Make sure that the head-tenant doesn’t hold your money themselves. You will have no legal protection when you leave the home if they refuse to refund it to you.
Understand your rights and responsibilities
Here are some things to be aware of when looking for a share house:
- Always visit the house in person as photos are not always accurate.
- Do not transfer money before signing a lease or viewing the property.
Read the lease agreement carefully and make sure that it includes all necessary details such as:
- How much rent you’ll be paying and into which account you will pay.
- The duration of the lease.
- How the utility bills are paid.
- Who is in charge of home maintenance.
- What to do if you want to leave the home before the end of the agreement. For example, how much notice you need to give and whether you need to keep paying the rent until a new tenant is found.
- What happens if the head-tenant wants you to move out.
Find out more about your rights as a tenant.
Document everything
Keep a record of all communications regarding the home, including:
- emails
- text messages
- agreements with your landlord or house mates.
These records can be very helpful if there are any disagreements in the future. It’s also a good idea to take pictures when you move in to have evidence in case of any disagreements over the security deposit.
Leaving a share house
A lease doesn’t end until all tenants leave the property and return the keys. If you move out of a share house before the end of the agreement, check it to see how much notice you need to give and whether you need to find a new tenant.
If the head-tenant wants you to leave the home, then they must also give you the amount of notice that is written in the agreement.
Make sure that you take your name off the agreement so that you’re not responsible for the home anymore. The procedures for leaving a share house are slightly different depending on what state or territory you are in. But you will most likely need to fill out a form which you’ll be able to download from your state or territory rental rights body (listed below).
Tenancy support
If you find yourself in a situation where your rights as a tenant are being violated, don't hesitate to get help. Contact the rental rights body 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: 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
A popular accommodation option for students in Australia is sharing a house or apartment with others. This can reduce your living costs and it’s a great way to meet new people, but it's still important to be aware of your rights as a tenant.
In this blog post, we'll explain exactly what a share house is and how to make sure you are protected by Australian tenancy laws.
What is a share house?
A share house, also known as a ‘flat share’ or a ‘house share’, is when two or more people rent a house or apartment together. Typically, each person will have their own private bedroom while sharing common areas such as the kitchen, living room and bathroom.
The number of people sharing a house will depend on the size of the property and what has been agreed with your landlord (the property owner).
You and your house mates (the people you live with) will divide the costs and responsibilities of the home.
Get some tips on finding a share house here.
Joining a share house
Co-renting
Co-renting is when you and two or more people sign a lease either directly with the landlord or with an agent. This means that responsibility for the tenancy is shared by you and your house mates.
Make sure you know your rights before signing any lease agreement.
Sub-letting
When you join an existing share house, one of the existing tenants can arrange this. This is called “sub-letting”. This is legal in Australia, but only if the landlord has given their permission. Without that permission, the sub-lease is not valid, and you aren’t protected by tenancy laws.
Things to be aware of:
- A landlord or agent can’t charge a fee for agreeing to a sub-lease.
- The agreement between the head-tenant and sub-tenant needs be in writing so that you are protected by Australian laws. You can download sub-letting agreements on the website of your state or territory tenancy authority.
- The head-tenant has the same responsibilities as a landlord. This means that they need to give you the agreement, an entry condition report and ensure that your bond is lodged with the correct authority.
- The landlord can’t reject you as a sub-letter without a reasonable reason (such as there being too many tenants in the home).
The bond (security deposit)
If the landlord gives permission for the sub-let and the head-tenant takes a bond from you, it’s the head-tenant’s responsibility to lodge it with the relevant state body and provide you with a receipt. However, most of the time you can lodge it yourself online.
Make sure that the head-tenant doesn’t hold your money themselves. You will have no legal protection when you leave the home if they refuse to refund it to you.
Understand your rights and responsibilities
Here are some things to be aware of when looking for a share house:
- Always visit the house in person as photos are not always accurate.
- Do not transfer money before signing a lease or viewing the property.
Read the lease agreement carefully and make sure that it includes all necessary details such as:
- How much rent you’ll be paying and into which account you will pay.
- The duration of the lease.
- How the utility bills are paid.
- Who is in charge of home maintenance.
- What to do if you want to leave the home before the end of the agreement. For example, how much notice you need to give and whether you need to keep paying the rent until a new tenant is found.
- What happens if the head-tenant wants you to move out.
Find out more about your rights as a tenant.
Document everything
Keep a record of all communications regarding the home, including:
- emails
- text messages
- agreements with your landlord or house mates.
These records can be very helpful if there are any disagreements in the future. It’s also a good idea to take pictures when you move in to have evidence in case of any disagreements over the security deposit.
Leaving a share house
A lease doesn’t end until all tenants leave the property and return the keys. If you move out of a share house before the end of the agreement, check it to see how much notice you need to give and whether you need to find a new tenant.
If the head-tenant wants you to leave the home, then they must also give you the amount of notice that is written in the agreement.
Make sure that you take your name off the agreement so that you’re not responsible for the home anymore. The procedures for leaving a share house are slightly different depending on what state or territory you are in. But you will most likely need to fill out a form which you’ll be able to download from your state or territory rental rights body (listed below).
Tenancy support
If you find yourself in a situation where your rights as a tenant are being violated, don't hesitate to get help. Contact the rental rights body 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: 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
A popular accommodation option for students in Australia is sharing a house or apartment with others. This can reduce your living costs and it’s a great way to meet new people, but it's still important to be aware of your rights as a tenant.
In this blog post, we'll explain exactly what a share house is and how to make sure you are protected by Australian tenancy laws.
What is a share house?
A share house, also known as a ‘flat share’ or a ‘house share’, is when two or more people rent a house or apartment together. Typically, each person will have their own private bedroom while sharing common areas such as the kitchen, living room and bathroom.
The number of people sharing a house will depend on the size of the property and what has been agreed with your landlord (the property owner).
You and your house mates (the people you live with) will divide the costs and responsibilities of the home.
Get some tips on finding a share house here.
Joining a share house
Co-renting
Co-renting is when you and two or more people sign a lease either directly with the landlord or with an agent. This means that responsibility for the tenancy is shared by you and your house mates.
Make sure you know your rights before signing any lease agreement.
Sub-letting
When you join an existing share house, one of the existing tenants can arrange this. This is called “sub-letting”. This is legal in Australia, but only if the landlord has given their permission. Without that permission, the sub-lease is not valid, and you aren’t protected by tenancy laws.
Things to be aware of:
- A landlord or agent can’t charge a fee for agreeing to a sub-lease.
- The agreement between the head-tenant and sub-tenant needs be in writing so that you are protected by Australian laws. You can download sub-letting agreements on the website of your state or territory tenancy authority.
- The head-tenant has the same responsibilities as a landlord. This means that they need to give you the agreement, an entry condition report and ensure that your bond is lodged with the correct authority.
- The landlord can’t reject you as a sub-letter without a reasonable reason (such as there being too many tenants in the home).
The bond (security deposit)
If the landlord gives permission for the sub-let and the head-tenant takes a bond from you, it’s the head-tenant’s responsibility to lodge it with the relevant state body and provide you with a receipt. However, most of the time you can lodge it yourself online.
Make sure that the head-tenant doesn’t hold your money themselves. You will have no legal protection when you leave the home if they refuse to refund it to you.
Understand your rights and responsibilities
Here are some things to be aware of when looking for a share house:
- Always visit the house in person as photos are not always accurate.
- Do not transfer money before signing a lease or viewing the property.
Read the lease agreement carefully and make sure that it includes all necessary details such as:
- How much rent you’ll be paying and into which account you will pay.
- The duration of the lease.
- How the utility bills are paid.
- Who is in charge of home maintenance.
- What to do if you want to leave the home before the end of the agreement. For example, how much notice you need to give and whether you need to keep paying the rent until a new tenant is found.
- What happens if the head-tenant wants you to move out.
Find out more about your rights as a tenant.
Document everything
Keep a record of all communications regarding the home, including:
- emails
- text messages
- agreements with your landlord or house mates.
These records can be very helpful if there are any disagreements in the future. It’s also a good idea to take pictures when you move in to have evidence in case of any disagreements over the security deposit.
Leaving a share house
A lease doesn’t end until all tenants leave the property and return the keys. If you move out of a share house before the end of the agreement, check it to see how much notice you need to give and whether you need to find a new tenant.
If the head-tenant wants you to leave the home, then they must also give you the amount of notice that is written in the agreement.
Make sure that you take your name off the agreement so that you’re not responsible for the home anymore. The procedures for leaving a share house are slightly different depending on what state or territory you are in. But you will most likely need to fill out a form which you’ll be able to download from your state or territory rental rights body (listed below).
Tenancy support
If you find yourself in a situation where your rights as a tenant are being violated, don't hesitate to get help. Contact the rental rights body 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: 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
澳洲學生的熱門住宿選擇就是與他人合租房子或公寓。這可以降低您的生活成本，這是認識新朋友的絕佳方式，但瞭解您作為承租人的權利仍然很重要。
在本部落格文章中，我們將確切解釋什麼是合租房，以及如何確保您受到澳洲租賃法律的保護。
什麼是合租房？
合租房，又稱為「合租公寓」或「合租房屋」，是指兩個或更多人一起出租房屋或公寓。通常每個人都有自己的私人臥室，同時共用廚房、客廳和浴室等公共區域。
合租房屋的人數將取決於物業的規模，以及與您的房東（業主）達成的協議。
您和您的室友（與您同住的人）將分攤住家費用和責任。
加入合租房
共同租賃
共同租賃是指您和兩位或更多人直接與房東或房仲簽署租約。這意味著您和您的室友共同承擔租賃責任。
在簽署任何租賃協議之前，請確保您瞭解您的權利。
分租
當您加入現有合租房 時，現有承租人之一可以負責此事項。這稱為「分租」。這在澳洲是合法的，但前提是房東已允許。未經該許可，分租即無效，且您不受租賃法律保護。
需要注意的事項：
- 房東或房仲不得因同意分租而收取費用。
- 主承租人和子承租人之間的協議需要採用書面形式，以便您受到澳洲法律的保護。您可以在您所在州或領地租賃主管機關網站上下載分租協議。
- 主承租人與房東負有相同責任。這意味著他們需要向您提供協議、入住狀況報告，並確保您的押金繳納給正確的主管機關。
- 沒有合理的原因（例如家中的承租人過多），房東不能拒絕您成為子承租人。
押金（保證金）
如果房東允許分租，而主承租人向您收取押金，則主承租人有責任將其繳納給相關州主管機構，並提供收據給您。但是，大多數時候您可以自行上網繳納。
確保主承租人不會自己將您的錢收為己用。如果他們拒絕退款給您，您離開租處時將無法獲得法律保護。
瞭解您的權利與責任
以下是在尋找合租房時需要注意的一些事項：
- 照片不一定準確無誤，因此請務必親自參觀房屋。
- 在簽署租約或查看物業之前，請勿轉帳。
請仔細閱讀租賃協議，並確保其中包含所有必要的詳細資訊，例如：
- 您將支付多少租金，以及支付到哪個帳戶。
- 租期。
- 水電瓦斯費帳單的支付方式。
- 誰負責住家維護。
- 如果您想在協議結束前離開租處該怎麼辦。例如，您需要給予多長期間的通知，以及在找到新承租人前，您是否需要繼續支付租金。
- 如果主承租人希望您搬家，會發生什麼事。
深入瞭解您身為承租人的權利。
記錄所有內容
記錄有關住家的所有通訊，包括：
- 電子郵件
- 文字訊息
- 與您的房東或室友達成協議。
如果未來有任何分歧，這些記錄會非常有幫助。當您搬入時拍攝照片，作為日後證據，以備對保證金有任何分歧時提出。
離開合租房
直到所有承租人離開物業並歸還鑰匙，租賃不會結束。如果您在協議結束前搬離合租房，請確認您需要提供多長期間的通知，以及是否需要尋找新承租人。
如果主承租人希望您離開租處，則他們還必須向您提供如同協議中規定的通知期間。
確保從協議中刪除您的姓名，這樣您就不再對該租處負責。視您所在的州或領地而定，離開合租房的程序略有不同。但您很有可能需要填寫一份表格，您可以在所在州或領地的出租權利主管機關下載（如下所列）。
租賃支援
如果您身為承租人的權利遭到侵犯時，請立即尋求幫助。請聯絡您所在州或領地的出租權利主管機關：
- 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： 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）
