Your rights and responsibilities under the lease

If your name is the only one nominated on the lease (residential tenancy agreement) then you are a head-tenant. If you are one of a number of people listed on the lease then each of you are co-tenants. The head-tenant and co-tenants all share the same rights and responsibilities under a lease.

If you are not listed on the lease (you may be living in a share house with a head-tenant) then you are a sub-tenant and you generally enjoy all the same rights as people with their names on the lease.

Your Rights Your Responsibilities
To start the tenancy with the premises in a reasonable condition (clean and fit to live in)
To keep the place that you are renting clean, including the garden
To be given a copy of the lease To pay rent on time
To be given rent receipts if you pay rent in person To let the landlord/agent know of any repairs that are needed or damage that has been caused
To be given appropriate notice of inspections Not to change the place you are renting or add anything without the written permission of the landlord/agent
To have the Bond lodged with the correct Authority To give the landlord/agent a copy of the condition report in NSW within seven days of receiving it. In Victoria, within three days of moving into the property
To be reimbursed for urgent repairs provided certain conditions are met. Urgent repairs organised by you cannot exceed $500 in NSW or $1000 in Victoria To leave the premises in the same condition as set out in the condition report (except for normal wear and tear)
To be given 60 days written notice of a rent increase To ask the landlord/agent to allow someone else to take over your place on the lease
To be given the required notice if the landlord/agent wants to end the lease Not to interfere with the peace, comfort and privacy of the neighbours
To enjoy peace and privacy