Quick links Tenancy Tips Share Housing Occupancy Standard Lease checklist The Law Form letters ACAT Public Housing Other Sites Noticeboard IMPORTANT NOTE: The information provided is based on the current state of ACT tenancy law and details may change. While every effort has been made to ensure the information on this site is up-to-date it is not a substitute for specific legal advice on complex matters. Please take note of when the page was last updated. If the information here does not apply to your specific situation we suggest you seek expert assistance and advice.

TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS The ACT Tenants' Advice Service (TAS) is a free advice service for people renting in the ACT (tenants and other occupants). This service is operated by the Tenants' Union ACT. So, for specific advice on ALL matters relating to ACT residential tenancy law Call the Tenants' Advice Service (ACT) on  02 6247 2011 This free advice service is open from 9:30am - 1pm, Monday to Friday Our Advice Service is also open from 4:30 - 8pm on Tuesdays PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ADVICE SERVICE WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE PUBLIC HOLIDAY ON MONDAY 8 MARCH Please note that the demand for our service can be high. We are a small service with only 2 advice workers.  To reduce demand on the service, check the information and links below to see if they can answer your queries without needing to call TAS. If you are renting in another state or territory go to our Other Sites page for services that can help you. If you are a landlord or real estate agent, please note that we are a service for tenants only and cannot advise you.  If you need advice you can contact the free Legal Aid advice line on 1300 654 314. TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS  TAS If you are seeking ACT tenancy information and general advice: Check out our Tenancy Tips below on common tenancy issues.  Also see information below the Tips Sheets for standard leases, forms, standard letters, the law itself and information on public housing, share housing and the Residential Tenancies Tribunal. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES TRIBUNAL:     There have been changes to ACT Tribunals, if you are seeking information about resolving disputes click here for more information. SHARE HOUSING: If you are in shared housing and need some information about share housing issues click  here to view our publication "Crowded House: A legal guide to share housing in the ACT" OTHER ACCOMMODATION: If you are paying for your accommodation but are not a tenant (if you live in student accommodation, a caravan park, emergency accommodation, a boarding house or are a lodger) you are likely to be an OCCUPANT.  For Occupancy Tips Sheets click here. Tenancy Tips: The Basics: Tenancy in the ACT Finding Somewhere to Live - hints on where to look, what to look for and how to avoid problems Bonds - condition reports, bond disputes, fair wear and tear Access & Privacy - inspections, access limitations, unlawful interference, locks Repairs - landlords' obligations, timeframes, resolving disputes Sale of Premises - notice, access and inspections, grounds for termination Rent Increases & Reductions - rules, excessive increases, when rent can be reduced Rent Increases: Is my increase excessive? - Formula from the RTA, CPI figures Rent Arrears - what is arrears?  What can the landlord do? Ending a Tenancy & Breaking a Lease - fixed term/periodic tenancy, what grounds, compensation Eviction in the ACT - grounds, eviction process, defending an eviction Defending an Eviction - preparation and the process Making a complaint about your real estate agent - Code of Conduct, process Tenancy Databases - what they are and what our law says about them ACAT Checklist - what is needed if you are going to the ACAT, also see ACAT resource page If the information you need is not in the Tips Sheets, try our Frequently Asked Questions  pages for brief information on common issues. Back to Top Other Tenancy Information v If you are looking for a new tenancy: Click here to see our tenancy checklist for hints about what to check for in your new home. v If you are starting a tenancy and need a standard tenancy agreement(lease): Click here to download a standard ACT tenancy agreement in rtf format, or click here for the pdf version. v If you are thinking about, or already in, share housing Click here to view our share housing information and download a share house agreement. Back to Top v If you would like to see the law that covers you: Click here to view and download a copy of the Residential Tenancies ACT 1997. v If you are writing to your lessor or real estate agent: Download one of our form letters, which apply to a variety of common situations, just replace the bracketed material and send.  PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FORM LETTERS DO NOT COVER ALL SITUATIONS.  THEY CAN BE USED AS A GUIDE FOR SIMILAR SITUATIONS, IF THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE YOU MAY NEED TO SEEK SPECIFIC ADVICE VIA OUR ADVICE SERVICE · Access for prospective purchasers.doc · Arrears.doc · Change to Rent Payment Method.doc · Break Lease.doc · Rent Increase.doc · Repairs.doc Back to Top Form letters specific to some Share Housing situations Termination - periodic tenancy.doc All co-tenants breaking lease One co-tenant breaking lease  - with agreement of all other co-tenants Head-tenant breaking lease All co-tenants terminating periodic lease One co-tenant terminating periodic lease v REMEMBER to always sign, date and keep a copy of letters you write to your landlord or real estate agent. v If you are making or defending an application to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal: Click here to visit our ACAT resource page. Back to Top v If you are a Housing ACT tenant seeking specific advice: Call the Welfare Rights & Legal Centre on their general advice line (02 6247 2177).  While TAS can and does give advice to Housing ACT tenants about tenancy law, WRLC caseworkers and solicitors have particular expertise in dealing with Housing ACT bureaucracy and their internal review process. WRLC also provide a series of fact sheets on various matters, click here to go to their site. Back to Top

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