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Renters' rights and housing policy
Know your rights as a tenant in Australia.
Clear, practical advice for renters who need to understand rental laws and housing policy. We focus on your rights, dispute resolution, and the legal protections you have.
What we cover
- Rental laws and tenant rights by state
- Bond disputes and eviction processes
- Housing policy and legislative changes
- Practical advice for common rental issues
What you can expect
- Plain-language legal explanations
- Guidance on disputes and tribunals
- Updates on rental law changes
- Advice informed by real casework
Latest posts
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Rent Bidding Wars: The New Reality of Australia's Rental Crisis
Tenants are offering above asking rent to secure properties. Real estate agents are encouraging it. Here's what tenants need to know about rent bidding and your rights.
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Tenant Databases: How to Check If You're Listed and What to Do About It
Tenant databases blacklist renters, making it nearly impossible to find housing. Here's how to check if you're listed, challenge incorrect entries, and understand your rights.
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Rental Bidding Systems and Tenant Rights
Rental bidding platforms let prospective tenants offer above asking price. This practice raises fairness concerns and may undermine rental regulations designed to protect tenants.
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Security Deposit Disputes: What Tenants Should Know
Disagreements over bond refunds are among the most common tenant-landlord conflicts. Understanding your rights helps recover deposits and avoid unfair deductions.
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5 Things Your Landlord Can't Legally Charge You For
Tenants regularly get hit with fees and deductions that are flat-out illegal. Here are five common ones you should push back on.
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Living in a Share House? Your Tenancy Rights Are More Complicated Than You Think
Share house tenants have different legal protections depending on how the tenancy is structured. Here's what you need to know before signing anything.
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Subletting Rules in Australia: What's Actually Allowed
The legal reality of subletting rental properties across different states
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What Tenants Should Know About Landlord Insurance
How landlord insurance affects you as a tenant and what it doesn't cover
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How AI Is Changing Property Management for Better and Worse
AI tools are transforming how landlords and agents manage rentals. Some changes help tenants. Others are making the power imbalance worse.
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Subletting Rules That Nobody Understands Properly
Can you sublet your rental? Maybe. It depends on your lease, your state, and whether your landlord agrees. The rules are confusing, and violations can get you evicted.
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Pet Deposits and Pet Rent: What NSW Tenants Actually Pay
NSW allows tenants to keep pets with landlord consent. But what does this actually cost in pet deposits, pet rent, and higher bonds?
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Rental Bidding Wars in NSW: Illegal But Still Happening
Rental bidding wars are illegal in NSW. Agents and landlords still solicit higher offers from competing tenants. Here's what actually happens and what you can do.
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Rental Bidding Wars: Legal Rights in Competitive Markets
As vacancy rates hit historic lows, rental bidding wars are becoming common across Australian cities. Know your rights and what tactics are actually illegal.
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Pet-Friendly Rental Rights: What's Actually Changed in 2026
Recent legislative changes across Australian states have shifted the balance on pets in rental properties, but landlords still have significant grounds to refuse.
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How Long Does Your Landlord Have to Fix Maintenance Issues? Australian Timeframes Explained
Landlords must fix maintenance issues within reasonable timeframes, but 'reasonable' varies by urgency and state. Here's what the law requires.