Your obligations as a landlord

The core duties

Being a landlord comes with clear legal responsibilities. You must lodge the bond with Tenancy Services, provide and maintain the property in a reasonable state of repair, meet the Healthy Homes Standards, and give proper notice before entering. You also need to provide a written tenancy agreement and ensure the home is safe, secure and free of obvious hazards.

Money and records

Handle the bond correctly and on time, provide rent receipts where required, and only increase rent within the rules, once a year, with proper notice. Keep thorough records of inspections, maintenance, communications and payments. Good documentation isn’t just tidy practice; it’s your protection if a tenancy is ever disputed at the Tribunal.

Maintenance and access

You’re responsible for keeping the property in good repair and responding to maintenance, promptly for urgent issues. When you need access for inspections or repairs, give the required written notice and visit at reasonable times, your tenant has a right to quiet enjoyment of their home except in genuine emergencies.

Staying compliant over time

Tenancy law changes regularly, and ignorance isn’t a defence. Stay current on your obligations, or use a professional manager who does, so you don’t fall foul of new rules. Meeting your duties properly protects your tenants, your income and your asset, and makes for the kind of stable tenancy that benefits everyone.