Rental Bond Lodgement Receipt (Australia)

Create a legally compliant Residential Tenancy Agreement for any Australian state or territory. Covering landlord and tenant rights, rent, bond, condition report, maintenance obligations, break fees, and termination procedures in accordance with the NSW Residential Tenancies Act 2010, VIC Residential Tenancies Act 1997, QLD Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008, and equivalent state legislation.

An Entry Condition Report (also known as an ingoing condition report or property condition report) is a document completed at the commencement of a residential tenancy that records the condition of the rental property, including every room, fixture, fitting, appliance, and external area. In Australia, the preparation of an entry condition report is mandatory under the residential tenancy legislation in most states and territories, and plays a central role in determining what, if any, amounts can be claimed from the tenant's bond at the end of the tenancy. In Queensland, under the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 (Qld), a lessor (landlord) must provide the tenant with two signed copies of the entry condition report on or before the day the tenant moves in. The tenant has three business days after receiving the report (or after moving in, whichever is later) to check the condition of the property, note any disagreements, and return one signed copy to the landlord or property manager. If the tenant does not return a signed copy within this period, the tenant is taken to have agreed with the report as completed by the landlord. The RTA provides a standard entry condition report form, and the use of this form (or one that contains at least the required information) is mandatory for general residential tenancies in Queensland. In Victoria, under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic), a landlord must provide the tenant with two copies of a condition report within three business days of the commencement of the tenancy. The tenant has three business days after receiving the copies to complete, sign, and return one copy to the landlord. If the landlord does not provide the copies within the prescribed period, they may not be able to rely on the condition report at the end of the tenancy. Consumer Affairs Victoria provides a standard condition report form for use in Victoria. In New South Wales, under the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW), a landlord must provide the tenant with a property condition report before or when the tenant takes possession of the premises. The tenant has seven days to check the accuracy of the report and return a copy to the landlord with any additions or amendments. Fair Trading NSW provides a recommended condition report form. The condition report is essential evidence in any dispute about damage before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT). In South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory, similar obligations apply under the respective Residential Tenancies Acts, and the relevant state authority typically provides a standard form for use. The entry condition report is important for several reasons. First, it establishes the agreed baseline condition of the property at the commencement of the tenancy. This baseline is used at the end of the tenancy to assess what, if any, changes have occurred during the tenancy. Second, only damage beyond fair wear and tear — that is, damage exceeding the ordinary deterioration caused by normal everyday use — can be claimed from the tenant's bond. Without a detailed entry condition report, it can be very difficult for either party to prove what the condition was at the start of the tenancy. Third, the entry condition report provides important protection for tenants who would otherwise risk being held responsible for damage that pre-existed their tenancy. A thorough entry condition report should describe the condition of every room — including the entry and hallway, living areas, kitchen, all bedrooms, bathrooms, laundry, and external areas — and record details of all inclusions such as appliances, blinds, carpets, light fittings, and garden areas. Photographs taken at the time of the inspection (and dated) provide additional contemporaneous evidence of the property's condition at the commencement of the tenancy. This Entry Condition Report template is designed to help landlords and tenants prepare a comprehensive, well-structured ingoing condition report that meets the general requirements of Australian residential tenancy legislation. It covers all major areas of the property, records keys and access devices provided, and includes space for notes on existing damage and agreed pre-existing defects.

Create a Room Rental Agreement for a boarder or lodger in a shared Australian property. Covers the type of arrangement (boarder, lodger, or sub-tenant), room and common area access, rent, bond, house rules, guests policy, pets, notice periods, and termination — with guidance on how the Residential Tenancies Acts of NSW, VIC, QLD, and other states apply to room rental arrangements.

A Notice to Vacate is a formal written notice issued by a landlord requiring a tenant to leave a rental property by a specified date. In Australia, the right to issue a notice to vacate — and the minimum notice periods that must be observed — is governed by the residential tenancy legislation in each state and territory. Landlords who fail to follow the prescribed notice periods and procedural requirements risk having the notice declared invalid by the relevant tribunal. Under the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW), a landlord who wishes to terminate a periodic tenancy without providing a specific reason must give 90 days' written notice. Where the ground for termination is a breach of the agreement by the tenant, the required notice period is shorter: for example, 14 days' notice applies in cases of non-payment of rent or serious damage to the property. A landlord who requires the property for their own use must give 90 days' notice for a periodic tenancy. At the end of a fixed-term agreement, the landlord must give at least 30 days' notice if they do not wish to renew the tenancy. In Victoria, under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997, the framework is similar but the notice periods differ. A landlord terminating a periodic tenancy without cause must give 60 days' notice. For non-payment of rent, the notice period is 14 days. The Victorian legislation also specifies notice requirements for renovation, demolition, and the landlord's own use, all requiring a minimum of 60 days. In Queensland, under the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008, a landlord terminating a periodic tenancy without cause must give two calendar months' notice. For a fixed-term agreement, the landlord must give two months' notice before the end date if they do not intend to offer a further tenancy. Notice periods for breaches such as non-payment of rent are shorter — generally seven days for rent arrears. In Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania, similar provisions apply under their respective Residential Tenancies Acts, with notice periods varying by ground and tenancy type. A valid notice to vacate must be in writing and must include the address of the premises, the reason for the notice (where required), the date by which the tenant must vacate, and the landlord's contact details. In some states, the notice must also refer to the specific ground or section of the Act under which it is being issued. The notice must be served in a manner permitted by the relevant Act — typically by personal delivery, registered post, or email (where the tenant has consented to electronic service). If the tenant does not vacate by the date specified in a valid notice, the landlord must apply to the relevant tribunal for a possession order. In New South Wales, this is the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT); in Victoria, it is the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT); and in Queensland, it is the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT). A tribunal will generally only make a possession order if the notice was validly issued and properly served, and the grounds stated in the notice are established. For landlords, using a clear and properly drafted notice to vacate helps ensure the notice is legally valid and reduces the risk of a successful challenge by the tenant. For tenants, receiving a notice to vacate does not necessarily mean you are required to leave immediately — you should check the notice period, the stated ground, and whether the applicable notice periods have been complied with. If you have any doubt about the validity of the notice you have received, you should seek advice from your state's tenant advisory service, community legal centre, or a solicitor experienced in tenancy law. This template is designed to assist landlords in preparing a clear, properly documented notice to vacate that complies with the general requirements of Australian residential tenancy legislation. It should be reviewed and adapted to reflect the specific requirements of the state or territory in which the property is located.

A Pet Addendum to a Lease Agreement is a written document that records the landlord's consent for a tenant to keep a specific pet at a rental property, and sets out the conditions under which that consent is granted. In Australia, the right to keep a pet at a rental property and the circumstances in which a landlord can refuse a pet request are governed by the residential tenancy legislation of each state and territory, with significant reforms having been introduced in several jurisdictions in recent years. In Queensland, the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2021 (commonly referred to as the Queensland rental law reforms) introduced significant changes to the rules around pets. Under these reforms, a tenant may make a pet request and the landlord must respond within 14 days. A landlord can only refuse a pet request on prescribed grounds specified in the Act, such as where the proposed animal would exceed the number of animals permitted by a body corporate by-law or where keeping the animal would contravene a law or local government by-law. The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) may order a landlord to grant consent if the refusal is found to be unreasonable. Additionally, in Queensland, a landlord may require a pet bond of up to $260 AUD — a statutory maximum set by the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 (Qld). In Victoria, the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic) was amended to require a landlord to consent to a pet unless the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) permits them to refuse. A landlord wishing to refuse a pet must apply to VCAT within 14 days of the tenant's request. VCAT may only grant permission to refuse on grounds prescribed by the Act, which include whether the property is unsuitable for the type of pet and whether a body corporate by-law would be breached. Critically, a separate pet bond cannot be charged in Victoria — any pet-related damage can only be claimed from the standard security bond. In New South Wales, under the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW), a tenant requires the landlord's written consent to keep a pet. The landlord is not required to consent and can refuse without providing reasons, although the landlord must not unreasonably withhold consent. No separate pet bond is permitted in NSW — any damage caused by a pet may be claimed from the standard bond, which under the Act is capped at four weeks' rent. In Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory, the general position is that a tenant requires the landlord's written consent to keep a pet, and the conditions of consent can be agreed between the parties and recorded in an addendum to the tenancy agreement. For properties that form part of a strata scheme or body corporate, additional restrictions may apply under the relevant strata or community title legislation. Body corporate by-laws in many strata schemes restrict the types of animals that may be kept, require the body corporate's approval before a pet is brought onto the property, or prohibit certain breeds. Both landlords and tenants should check the by-laws of the relevant body corporate before signing a pet addendum. This pet addendum template is designed to help landlords and tenants record the landlord's consent to a specific pet in a clear, legally documented way. It sets out the particulars of the approved pet, the conditions of consent, the tenant's obligations regarding pet-related damage, flea treatment, and compliance with body corporate by-laws, and the circumstances in which consent may be withdrawn. Using a written pet addendum reduces the risk of disputes about what was agreed and provides a clear record of the conditions that apply throughout the tenancy.