What Happens After You Find a Tenant in South Australia: Leases, Bonds, and Next Steps

Congratulations on finding a tenant!

This guide assumes you’ve already screened your applicants and chosen your preferred tenant — ideally using PropertyNow’s Rental Management subscription, which helps you handle everything in one place.

Even if you’re not using our subscription yet, this guide will still help you understand what comes next.

Tip: Once you’ve accepted a tenant, remember to mark your listing as leased in your PropertyNow account.
We’ll automatically notify all other enquirers and applicants (except the successful tenant) that the property has been leased — saving you time and avoiding awkward follow-ups.

Step 1: Create and Send Your Lease Agreement

Once your tenant is approved, you can create your lease agreement directly through your PropertyNow account — it only takes a few clicks.

• We’ll pre-fill the tenant’s details automatically from their application to save you time and ensure accuracy.
• You’ll confirm key details such as rent amount, bond amount, and lease term.
• Both you and your tenant can sign digitally for convenience and compliance.

When you generate the agreement, your tenant will automatically receive an invitation to access their own PropertyNow tenant account.

From there, they can:

• View and sign the lease
• See payment details
• Set up their rent payments if you’re using our automated rent collection service

Once finalised, your lease agreement and tenant’s application will be stored automatically in your PropertyNow account for easy access anytime.

Step 2: Complete the Inspection Sheet

Before the tenant moves in, you’ll need to complete an Inspection Sheet to record the condition of the property.

This helps avoid disputes later and is a required step under South Australian tenancy law.

• You can download a blank copy here:

Inspection Sheet – SA Government

• Complete it carefully, noting the condition of each room, fixture, and appliance.
• Provide a copy to your tenant before they move in.

Step 3: Prepare for Bond Collection and Lodgement

All residential bonds in South Australia must be lodged with Consumer and Business Services (CBS) through the Rental Bonds Online portal.

For full instructions, see our detailed bond guide: How to lodge the bond in SA

Step 4: Provide Required Information to the Tenant

You must give the tenant written notice of your contact details using the official Section 48 Notice.

• Download a copy here:

Information to be Provided to Tenant – Section 48

• Complete and provide this form before the lease begins.

PropertyNow also provides the tenant with key information required under South Australian tenancy law when the agreement is created.

Step 5: Review the Information Brochure and Resources

Ensure you’ve read and understood the official Information Brochure for Landlords and Tenants (attached in your onboarding email).

You can also find additional resources, including sample notices and fact sheets, here:

Forms and Fact Sheets for Private Rental Tenancies – SA Government

Step 6: Check Property Safety and Minimum Standards

Before the tenant moves in, make sure your property is safe and compliant.

This includes ensuring:

• Smoke alarms are installed and working
• The property meets relevant minimum safety standards
• All locks, doors, and windows are secure
• Electrical wiring and plumbing are safe and functional

For more details, see:

Keeping Your Property Safe – SA Government

Step 7: Provide Keys and Access Information

Ensure you have all keys, opening devices, and access information ready for handover.

Each tenant named in the agreement must receive their own set.

You should also provide copies of:

• Any applicable strata or community titles by-laws
• Appliance manuals or simple written instructions for use

Step 8: Keep Everything Organised

All of your key documents — including the lease agreement, tenant application, and any uploaded files — are automatically stored in your PropertyNow account.

You can access them anytime for reference or record-keeping.

We recommend also storing your:

• Inspection sheet
• Bond confirmation
• Section 48 notice
• Compliance and safety notes

Keeping everything in one place ensures transparency and makes managing your tenancy simple and compliant.

Summary Checklist

• [ ] Mark your listing as leased in your PropertyNow account
• [ ] Create and send your lease agreement
• [ ] Complete and share the inspection sheet
• [ ] Register and lodge the bond online or via paper form
• [ ] Provide the Section 48 contact details notice
• [ ] Review all tenancy information and safety requirements
• [ ] Provide all necessary keys and by-laws
• [ ] Keep all records securely in your PropertyNow account

Need help?

Our support team is here to help with any step of the process.

Email support@propertynow.com.au or call 1300 664 773.

Updated on: 29/10/2025