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Rent

What is Rent

Rent is the amount of money a tenant agrees to pay to an owner each week/fortnight, in return for ‘exclusive possession’ of a property.

The lease will specify a payment period, for example fortnightly. Rent for each payment period must be paid in advance. The payment period can only be changed if both the tenant and owner agree.

If the tenant pays rent using cash or cheque the owner must give the tenant a receipt that has:

  • the date rent was received
  • the period rent was received for
  • the name of the tenant
  • the address of the property the tenant paid rent for and
  • the amount received.

A tenant cannot be charged for the payment/collection of rent.

Advertising at a fixed price (no rent bidding)

Rent bidding is where an owner invites tenants to make an offer to rent the property at a higher amount than advertised. This is not allowed.

Owners must advertise rental properties at a fixed price.

Rent advertised as:

  • ‘Expressions of interest’
  • rental brackets such as rent being between two amounts (eg $100-150 pw)
  • rent being ‘from’ an amount

    are not fixed prices.

Owners must not invite people applying to rent the property to make an offer to rent the property for more than the advertised amount.

If you see or are asked to rent bid, you can report a possible breach to the Residential Tenancy Commissioner by using the Contact Us form.

Last updated: 17 Mar 2023

This page has been produced and published by the Consumer Building and Occupational Services Division of the Department of Justice. Although every care has been taken in production, no responsibility is accepted for the accuracy, completeness, or relevance to the user's purpose of the information. Those using it for whatever purpose are advised to verify it with the relevant government department, local government body or other source and to obtain any appropriate professional advice. The Crown, its officers, employees and agents do not accept liability however arising, including liability for negligence, for any loss resulting from the use of or reliance upon the information and/or reliance on its availability at any time.