There have been some changes to residential tenancy laws that have started on 10 December 2024. More changes will come in effect on 9 January 2025.
The reforms will:
- Allow tenants who have experienced domestic violence to end their tenancy without paying a break lease fee.
- Limit rent increases to once per year.
- Introduce new disclosure requirements for landlords.
- Introduce a mandatory break lease fee clause in all fixed-term tenancies.
- Increase flexibility for condition reports.
- Introduce unit title rental certificates.
The standard residential tenancy terms have changed too. You can view the updated Standard Residential Tenancy Terms here and the Additional terms here.
For more information, please see our updated factsheets below or visit the ACT Government website here.
About Us
Vision statement
Our vision is to be a leader in delivering excellent, integrated tenancy advice services to the people of ACT that responds to their needs in a caring, efficient, and professional manner.
Mission
Our mission is to assist and empower residential tenants and occupants of the ACT to build long-term independence and housing security by providing a wide-range of services.
We aim to service the needs of priority clients in the ACT community, such as those:
- experiencing financial disadvantage;
- children and young people under the age of 25;
- indigenous Australians;
- older persons over the age of 65;
- people experiencing or at risk of family violence;
- people residing in rural or remote areas;
- people who are culturally and linguistically diverse; and
- people with disabilities or mental illness.
Assistance Provided
We assist clients to understand and assert their legal rights and responsibilities under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (ACT) and to identify, address or prevent legal problems before they escalate into more significant matters.
We provide assistance to facilitate the timely resolution of matters referred to us in collaboration with ACT community legal centres, government, the private legal profession, and others to create a cohesive service that can best meet the needs of ACT tenants and occupants.
The assistance we offer takes multiple forms:
| Advise | We offer legal advice, assistance with other legal tasks, representation services, information, and referrals. |
| Support | We provide support through our Walk-in services, Legal Aid clinics, referral to social services, website resources, and Community Liaison Unit. |
| Education | We offer community legal education for residential tenants and tenant advocates. |
| Reform | We pursue positive policy and legal reform that serves the interests of disadvantaged residential tenants. |
Contact
Tenancy Advice Line
Our tenancy advice line is a free, confidential phone service that connects you to a paralegal who can offer legal advice and assistance on a range of tenancy matters.
TAS phone number: 1300 402 512
The Tenancy Advice Line (phone) operates:
- 8.30am to 7.00pm Monday to Thursday
- 8.30am to 5.00pm Friday
Email: TAS@legalaidact.org.au
Chat: https://tawk.to/tasact
Address: 2 Allsop Street Canberra City ACT 2601
Other Helpful Services
There are a wide-range of other services that can help you with your tenancy and occupancy issues. We have listed a few below:
| Onelink | Onelink provides information about and connection to crisis accommodation and other support services for people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. |
| Tenancy Assistance Program | The Tenancy Assistance Program aims to help individuals and families at risk of losing their homes due to financial hardship, mental health challenges, domestic violence or other complex issues. |
| Canberra Community Law | Canberra Community Law provides legal advice and assistance in relation to public and community housing tenants or occupants. |
| Care Financial Counselling Service | Care and Financial Counselling Service provides financial counselling support which may be of assistance to individuals who are struggling to pay rent or utilities |
Resources
Law Handbook
The ACT Law Handbook online provides an explanation of laws in the ACT, including those related to tenancy. It functions as a quick guide to the law: what it is, how it affects you, and how you can use it. It is written by academics, lawyers and judges with the aim of making the law more accessible for ACT residents.
The Renting Book
The renting book is a resource published by the ACT Revenue Office that sets out the rights and responsibilities of tenants, occupants, property owners, and real estate agents. It can help you navigate the Residential Tenancies Act and work out how the law applies to you.
Residential Tenancies Act 1997
The Residential Tenancies Act sets out the laws governing residential tenancies in the Australian Capital Territory. The Act defines key terms, establishes all rights and obligations for tenants and lessors, and provides the remedial powers available to the courts and ACAT.
Housing and Consumer Affairs Legislation Amendment Act 2024
This Act aims to increase protections and simplify processes for renting a home in the ACT.
