Do I need a lease agreement?

A tenancy agreement in Australia is a legal contract between a landlord or rental provider (the person who owns the property) and a tenant (the person renting it). It sets out the rules and responsibilities for both parties during the rental period. It’s basically a set of rules that both the tenant and landlord agree to follow to avoid misunderstandings.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

What it covers:

• How long the tenant can stay (fixed term, like 12 months, or ongoing).
• How much rent the tenant needs to pay and when.
• Who is responsible for things like repairs, maintenance, and paying utility bills.
• Rules about living in the property, like whether pets are allowed or if the tenant can make changes to the property.

Why it’s important:

• It protects the tenant by giving them clear rights, like not being evicted unfairly.
• It protects the landlord by ensuring the tenant pays rent and takes care of the property.

Common names:

• It’s also called a lease agreement or rental agreement.

Key info:

• In nearly all states of Australia, lease agreements must be in writing and must follow a 'prescribed form' (that is a set of standard terms)

With PropertyNow, you can generate and sign a complaint tenancy agreement in just a few clicks.

Updated on: 04/08/2025