Additional terms in the lease

Most of the lease (residential tenancy agreement) is made up of standard terms that have been taken from the Residential Tenancies legislation in your State. They cannot be changed or deleted. However, you as the tenant or the landlord can add additional terms to the lease as long as these terms:

• add to the standard terms
• comply with the residential tenancy legislation in your State.

One common additional term added by the landlord is that no pets are allowed. If you intend to get a pet or already have one, then ask the landlord's permission to keep the animal(s) before you sign the lease and have it mentioned as an additional term.

Additional terms that make the tenant spend money that are not already mentioned in the lease are illegal. You don't have to do what they ask, even if you have signed the lease. Examples of terms that may be illegal or unenforceable are:

• the tenant agrees to have the carpet cleaned professionally when they leave
• the tenant agrees to replace the tap washers, stove elements or is responsible for urgent repairs.