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Residential Property, Tenancy Agreements and Resources in Australia

Many people invest in residential property to build their wealth. Managing that property yourself gives you a way to maximise your return on Investment because you don’t need to pay an agent.

Managing an investment property is straightforward, especially when you have the right tools to do the job.

The most important tool is a well written residential tenancy agreement.

What is a Residential Tenancy Agreement?

A residential tenancy agreement is a lease.

A “lease” is a contract where one party (the lessor or landlord) grants another party (the lessee or the tenant) the right to occupy and use a certain piece of land, in exchange for money or “rent.”

lease-definition

The simple act of accepting money from someone in exchange for occupying the premises on the land is said to be a verbal lease. A verbal lease is legal, binding and it automatically gives your tenant minimum rights and obligations under the law (which may not be what you want as the Landlord).

Learn: What are the three reasons why a verbal tenancy agreement can turn into a Booby Prize

There is another problem with this type of handshake arrangement – nobody knows the specifics. There are too many details left to chance.

For instance:

  • how regularly should the rent be paid – weekly, fortnightly, monthly?
  • How should the rent be paid?
  • How long can the tenant keep possession of the premises?
  • Who takes care of the maintenance of the premises?

As you can see, many questions can arise. A verbal lease agreement leaves most of them unanswered which can be dangerous for both you and the tenant. That is precisely why experts nearly always recommend using a written commercial lease agreement.

A written lease agreement will clarify the fundamentals of the arrangement, protect the interests of both parties and minimise misunderstandings.

residential lease clarifies

How to draft a Residential Tenancy Agreement?

Each Australian state and territory has developed residential tenancy legislation to govern house rental transactions. These rules protect the landlords and tenants.

When you are drafting your residential lease, it is wise to use a template which complies with the state laws so you can be confident you are following the letter of the law.

Retail Lease Template Sample

What should a Residential Lease Agreement include?

A residential tenancy or lease agreement should include all the provisions required by law to manage the tenancy. These include provisions regarding:

Provisions NSW Tenancy Agreement

There is No Need to Re-invent the Wheel!

Our residential tenancy agreement template kit is available for each Australian State and covers all of the necessary provisions and complies with the relevant laws.

Our residential tenancy kit with easy to follow instructions gives you the tools you need to successfully manage your tenancy.

Once you have found your tenant – all it takes is a few simple steps and the paperwork is done.

    • Have the tenant complete the Tenancy Application Form
    • Give your tenant a copy of the New Tenants Checklist
    • Complete the Inspection Report
    • Complete the Tenancy Agreement

Our kit includes all these documents plus Video Instructions for completing the agreement and fulfilling your obligations as per the legislative requirements.

This residential lease will protect your investment by defining the relationship with your tenants and shielding you from potential liability.

Our ready-to-use residential Lease kit includes everything you need to rent your premises

  • Professionally drafted residential tenancy Agreement (doc)
  • New tenants Checklist
  • Tenancy Application Form
  • Inspection Reports (entry and exit)
  • Easy to follow help guide
  • Getting Started document
  • Friendly customer support

Available for Each Australian State and our Premium Kits include all the prescribed forms you need to communicate with your tenant.

ACT Residential Tenancy Lease Template KitACT Residential Tenancy Lease Agreement Template Kit

nsw Residential Tenancy Lease Template KitNSW Residential Tenancy Lease Agreement Template Kit

NT Residential Tenancy Lease Template KitNT Residential Tenancy Lease Agreement Template Kit

QLD Residential Tenancy Lease Template KitQLD Residential Tenancy Lease Agreement Template Kit

SA Residential Tenancy Lease Template KitSA Residential Tenancy Lease Agreement Template Kit

TAS Residential Tenancy Lease Template KitTAS Residential Tenancy Lease Agreement Template Kit

VIC Residential Tenancy Lease Template KitVIC Residential Tenancy Lease Agreement Template Kit

WA Residential Tenancy Lease Template KitWA Residential Tenancy Lease Agreement Template Kit

Shared House AgreementShared House Licence Agreement Template

A Share House Licence Agreement or Lodgers Agreement may be used where an owner/occupier (or a head tenant) rents out a room, or shared area, in a premises to another.

Unlike a resident under a full tenancy agreement, Lodgers do not have the right to exclusive occupation or control of the premises. This means that the owner (or the head tenant) will be free to enter the premises at any time, thereby retaining control over the whole property.

storage space licence template Storage Space Licence Template

This document sets out the terms of the space rental, placing clear boundaries on the relationship. It ensures that each party understands their obligations and covers the essential issues like licence fees, bond amount, frequency, method of payment and so forth. See Storage space licence page for full list of provisions.

car park licence template Car Park Licence Template

This agreement sets out the rights and responsibilities of the Licensor (that’s person who grants the right use the space) and those of the licensee (the entity who will rent the space from you). You can use our car park license agreement whether you are the owner of the car park space or have the right to use the car space under another leasing arrangement.

Learn more: Renting a Car Parking Space

Before Entering the Lease

How to recognise the tenant from hell

bad tenantWhen your rental property is empty it can be tempting to grab the first prospective tenant that applies but this is a rookie mistake. Bad tenants can cause you, the property owner, a great deal of emotional and financial stress. Follow these tips to recognise the tenant from hell before they move in.

Three Reasons why a Poor Property Manager is a Risk to your Sanity and Bottom Line

property managerProspective landlords often believe that trusting a property manager to oversee their investment property is the best course of action. But hiring a poor property manager can be a risky move if they turn good tenants into nightmare tenants. There are three good reasons why a poor property manager is a risk to your sanity and bottom line.

Entering the Lease

Stating the Parties to a Contract correctly

It might seem very basic, but it is vital to get the names of the entities or “parties” correct when drafting a legal document. Stating the parties formally and accurately gives you certainty that there can be NO question about the parties’ intentions later, especially if the particulars are changed or forgotten. We look at the different types of “parties” and the correct way to record the information.

Is a verbal agreement legally binding?

Verbal agreements can be legally binding and in fact many business and personal transactions are conducted purely on a handshake. But if things go wrong, it can be very difficult to sort the matter out or to even prove the agreement existed.

Managing the Residential Tenancy

What you need to know about communicating with tenants so you can successfully deal with issues

Landlords need to follow the rules set down by legislation when communicating with tenants so they can successfully deal with issues. We outline the correct procedures that you should follow.

How to extend a Residential Lease

Burning questionThere are two options to extending a lease once the tenancy has expired – you can either enter into a new lease or document an extension of lease. Download free extension of lease.

It’s not Rocket Science, Just Follow the Rules

rocket scienceWhoever said “Ignorance is bliss” was not referring to being a Landlord. Landlords need to be informed and follow the rules set down by state legislation so they can deal with issues and tenants effectively.

How to recognise if your rental property is being used to manufacture illegal drugs

Methamphetamine manufacture is on the rise and poses a risk to landlords due to property damage and expensive cleaning costs. Meth labs have been found operating from homes in the suburbs, high rise apartments and increasingly, in rural locations. Do you know the tell tale signs that a property is being used as a meth lab?

Alterations to Rental Houses – Do’s and Don’ts

alterations to rental premisesThinking of sprucing up your rented home over the Christmas break? Did you know that even something as simple as painting the walls requires your Landlord’s permission? Before you even start getting those colour charts out – check out the rules of what you can and can’t do to your rented house.

Getting help with tenancy issues in NSW

A NEW Tenancy Complaint Service launched by Fair Trading in New South Wales helps landlords, property managers and tenants resolve disputes when communication between the parties has broken down.

How to sell an Investment Property while it is still tenanted

Whilst selling an investment Property that is tenanted can be more problematic than selling an empty house, it can be done if you follow a few simple rules.

How to Choose the Best Mortgage Broker

A good mortgage broker can be invaluable to your success in property investment so its pays to know how to choose the best one for your needs. We have a few tips that can help.

Terminating the Tenancy

Unilateral severance of Joint Tenancy

Sever Joint TenancyMany couples enter into co-ownership of property as joint tenants but sometimes this arrangement is no longer appropriate and it needs to be changed. We examine the circumstances under which you may want to sever a joint tenancy. It is a straight forward process that can be done by either party without the permission of the other co-owners.

Investing in Real Estate with others – Tenants in Common Agreements

Agreement between tenants in common TemplateWhenever two or more parties want to buy a home, commercial property or other piece of real estate together, a written Agreement Between Tenants in Common is crucial to protecting the interests of all the parties involved.

You may be siblings buying a house together or just friends joining forces in a Joint Venture Property Development – whatever your reasons, the importance of clear documentation that sets out the terms under which the parties record their interest, cannot be under estimated.

These Joint Tenancy Agreements set out the terms relating to the property purchase, its use, the ongoing obligations during ownership and the rights of each party should the property be sold.

They have been drafted to cover the most popular uses of jointly owned property:-

1. Jointly owned property which will be occupied by the co-owners of the property;

2. Jointly owned property where it is purchased as an investment property and will be rented to a third party;

3. Jointly owned property which will be occupied by one of the Co-owners but not the other.

Our Tenants in Common Agreement Kit includes all three variations of the agreement!

Learn: Property Co-ownership – Why two or more owners are better than one.

Learn: Investing with family or friends – a match made in heaven or the fast track to hell?

Learn: What’s the difference between Tenants in Common and Joint Tenants?

Miscellaneous

Do you wonder how you’re ever going to afford the Great Australian Dream?

The inescapable fact is that house prices keep climbing while wages stagnate. Statistics suggest that Aussies are becoming home owners at a later age and committing to higher house debt than the generations that went before. What can you do to make the most of the resources you have and get your foot in the property ladder?

How Would Assets Perform if Negative Gearing Was Removed?

Many property investors rely on negative gearing but what would happen if it just wasn’t available anymore. John Edwards takes a good luck at what might happen.

Design hints to help you sell your home faster

As a general rule, people make a buying decision based on emotion and the purchase of a house is no different. Buyers need a story and emotion, they need to get excited about a house or feel something. We look at design tips to reach this goal so you can sell your house faster.

How to Help your Kids Beat the Next Property Price Rise

Parents adult childrenNo matter what age your children are, you’ll inevitably worry about their finances and future security. If your children are adults who have yet to achieve the ‘Great Australian Dream’, then you might be interested in exploring the options that will help your child invest in their own home sooner.

NEW – State Based Real Estate Property Kit

It’s taken several years to get all the documents together but we’ve finally done it. We’ve just launched our Property Investors Kit with a view to providing all of the documents you would need if you were prone to property investment.

Renovating an apartment? Your guide to body corporate rules

Renovating ApartmentThere are some important differences between renovating an apartment and renovating a free standing property. You don’t want to upset the neighbours or fall foul of the body corporate. You can stay out of trouble by following the tips in this guide to body corporate rules.

AirBnB

Is AirBnB considered a sub-lease?

Is airbnb a sublease?As a landlord, you invest time in screening suitable tenants, decide who is best placed to look after your investment property and subsequently enter into a lease agreement. However, with the rise of the sharing economy, you may be unaware of how your property is actually being used. If your tenants sub-let the property without your knowledge or permission, do you have any rights to reclaim possession?

Airbnb – is the income worth the risk?

AirbnbIt’s tempting to turn your spare room into a stream of extra income, and it’s pretty easy to do with tools like AirBnB. But don’t jump into this venture lightly because there are serious issues to consider.

Apartment Owners left confused by Governments vague announcement on Airbnb Reforms

Amanda FarmerThe announcement by the NSW government, made earlier this month, announced a raft of reforms designed to prevent investor owners from using their apartments for short term, Airbnb-style lets. But the lack of detail in the proposed reforms has left people perplexed.

Loose Fill Asbestos

loose fill asbestos NSWDo you own a house in NSW that was built before 1980? If so, it may be affected by loose-fill asbestos which could mean you are unable to sell or rent your home or investment property in the future.

Proposed Changes to NSW Residential Tenancy Laws: Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence changes to NSW tenancy lawsWe examine the proposed changes to NSW residential tenancy laws that are designed to protect victims of domestic violence.

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