For Australian renters
Legal guides
Plain-English guides to common tenancy problems in NSW, Victoria, and Queensland: what the law says, and where the official process lives. This is legal information, not advice. For your own situation, ask Zoe - your first messages are free.
Ask Zoe a questionBond
Getting a rental bond back when the landlord will not release it.
- AustraliaLandlord claiming bond for old carpet and paint after a long tenancy (NSW and VIC)I'm moving out after a long tenancy and the agent wants my bond to replace old carpet and repaint. Do I have to pay for that in NSW or Victoria?
- NSWWhat happens when a landlord won't return your bond in NSWMy landlord won't return my rental bond in NSW. What are my options?
- QueenslandWhat happens when a landlord won't return your bond in QueenslandMy landlord won't return my rental bond in Queensland. What are my options?
- VictoriaWhat happens when a landlord won't return your bond in VictoriaMy landlord won't return my rental bond in Victoria. What are my options?
Ending a tenancy / landlord notice
Landlord notices, no-grounds bans, and ending a fixed-term lease early.
- QueenslandEnding a fixed-term lease early in QueenslandHow does ending a fixed-term lease early work in Queensland, and what are the reletting costs?
- QueenslandWhen a landlord gives a Notice to leave (Form 12) in QueenslandMy Queensland landlord gave me a Form 12 Notice to leave. Is it valid and what do I do?
- VictoriaEnding a fixed-term lease early in VictoriaHow does ending a fixed-term lease early work in Victoria, and what are the fees?
- VictoriaWhen a landlord can end a tenancy in Victoria (no-grounds ban)What are the rules for Victorian landlords ending a tenancy after the no-grounds ban?
- NSWEnding a fixed-term lease early in NSWHow does ending a fixed-term lease early work in NSW, and what is the break fee?
- NSWWhen a landlord can end a tenancy in NSW after the no-grounds banWhat are the rules for NSW landlords ending a tenancy after the no-grounds ban?
Rent increases
Whether a rent increase notice is valid, and how to challenge it.
- NSWChallenging a rent increase in NSWMy landlord increased the rent in NSW. Is the notice valid and how do I challenge it?
- QueenslandChallenging a rent increase in QueenslandMy landlord increased the rent in Queensland. Is the notice valid and how do I challenge it?
- VictoriaChallenging a rent increase in VictoriaMy landlord increased the rent in Victoria. Is the notice valid and how do I challenge it?
Repairs and mould
Urgent repairs, emergency fixes, and damp or mould in the property.
- QueenslandMould and damp in a Queensland rentalThere is mould in my QLD rental. Who has to fix it, and what do I do today?
- VictoriaMould and damp in a Victorian rentalThere is mould in my Victorian rental. Who has to fix it, and what do I do today?
- NSWMould and damp in a NSW rentalThere is mould in my NSW rental. Who has to fix it, and what do I do today?
- QueenslandUrgent (emergency) repairs in Queensland rentalsHow do I get emergency repairs done in my Queensland rental when the lessor will not act?
- NSWUrgent repairs in NSW rental propertiesHow do I get urgent repairs done in my NSW rental when my landlord will not act?
- VictoriaUrgent repairs in Victorian rental propertiesWhat are my rights for urgent repairs in a Victorian rental property?
Pets
Asking to keep a pet, and what happens if the landlord refuses.
Landlord entry and privacy
When a landlord or agent can enter, and how much notice they need.
- QueenslandLandlord and agent entry to a Queensland rentalCan my Queensland landlord or agent enter my rental, and how much notice do they need?
- VictoriaLandlord and agent entry to a Victorian rentalCan my Victorian landlord or agent enter my rental, and how much notice do they need?
- NSWLandlord and agent entry to a NSW rentalCan my NSW landlord or agent enter my rental, and how much notice do they need?
More guides
Other topics.
- AustraliaPower or gas about to be disconnected because you cannot pay the billI got a disconnection warning for my electricity or gas bill, or I have already been cut off, and I cannot pay. How do I stop it and get reconnected?
- AustraliaCan the agent charge me a call-out fee? (NSW and VIC)I reported a fault and the agent wants me to pay the tradesperson's call-out fee because nothing was broken. Do I have to pay in NSW or Victoria?
- Australia (Commonwealth)NDIS access, plan or supports decision you disagree with: internal review, then the TribunalThe NDIA refused my access request, cut my supports or won't change my plan. How do I challenge it, what are the deadlines and does it cost anything?
- Australia (Commonwealth)How to complain to the OAIC about a privacy breach or misuse of your personal informationA business or federal agency mishandled my personal information or refused me access. How do I complain to the OAIC, how long do I wait, and is it free?
- AustraliaLandlord applied to NCAT or VCAT against you: how to respond (NSW and VIC)My landlord has applied to NCAT or VCAT against me and I have a notice of hearing. What do I do, what do I bring, and what if I can't make it?
- Australia (Commonwealth)Your FOI request was refused, ignored or charged: how to get it reviewedA federal agency refused my FOI request, redacted most of it, charged me or never replied. How do I get the decision reviewed and what are the deadlines?
- Australia (Commonwealth)Your company got a creditor's statutory demand: the 21 days and what to doMy company has been served with a creditor's statutory demand. How long do we have, how do we challenge it, and what happens if we do nothing?
- Australia (Commonwealth)How to fix an error on your credit report in AustraliaThere is a wrong default or enquiry on my credit report. How do I get it fixed in Australia, how long do they have, and where do I go if they refuse?
- VictoriaWhat does no win, no fee mean for a personal injury claim in Victoria?What does no win, no fee mean for a personal injury claim in Victoria?
- Australia (Commonwealth)Cancelled or delayed flight: refund, rebooking, and compensation for costsMy flight was cancelled or delayed and the airline refuses a refund. What are my rights under ACL and how do I complain?
- Australia (Commonwealth)How long do I have to apply for a property settlement after divorce or separation in Australia?How long do I have to apply for a property settlement after divorce or separation in Australia?
- Australia (Commonwealth)Fair Entitlements Guarantee: claim unpaid wages when your employer goes into liquidation or bankruptcyMy employer has gone into liquidation or bankruptcy and owes me wages, leave, notice pay or redundancy. How do I claim through the Fair Entitlements Guarantee?
- NSWHow long do I have to make a personal injury claim in NSW?How long do I have to make a personal injury claim in NSW?
- AustraliaDefective new car: major failure refund or replacement under ACLMy new car keeps breaking down. When is it a major failure under Australian Consumer Law, and how do I ask the dealer for a refund or replacement?
- NSWHow much does an employment lawyer cost in NSW?How much does an employment lawyer cost in NSW?
- Australia (Commonwealth)Unpaid super and Payday Super: check your fund, report to the ATOMy employer has not paid my superannuation. How do I check and report it to the ATO?
- AustraliaBNPL hardship: ask Afterpay, Zip or Klarna in writing, then AFCAI cannot keep up with my Afterpay, Zip or Klarna repayments. How do I ask for hardship help in Australia today, and when do I go to AFCA?
- AustraliaUnauthorised or mistaken bank transfer: ePayments, bank complaint, AFCAI sent money to the wrong account, or saw a transfer I did not authorise. What do I do in Australia today?
- AustraliaStatute-barred debt: when is a debt too old to chase in court?A debt collector is chasing a very old debt. Is it too old to sue, and what should I do today without restarting the clock?
- AustraliaTelco bill dispute: complain to provider, then TIOMy phone or internet bill is wrong or unexpected. What do I do in Australia today?
- AustraliaFinancial hardship: ask your lender in writing, then AFCAI cannot keep up with my loan or credit card repayments. How do I ask for financial hardship help in Australia today, and when do I go to AFCA?
- AustraliaDebt collector harassment: your rights and how to complainA debt collector is harassing me. What can they do, and how do I stop it in Australia today?
- AustraliaEnergy bill dispute (electricity or gas)My electricity or gas bill looks wrong, or my retailer will not fix it. What do I do in Australia today?
- AustraliaInsurance claim denied or delayedMy Australian insurance claim was denied or delayed. What do I do today?
- AustraliaNBN connection delaysMy NBN connection is delayed or not working after install. What do I do in Australia today?
- AustraliaChargebacks and debit card transaction disputesI paid by debit or credit card and did not get what I paid for. How do I ask for a chargeback in Australia today?
- AustraliaUnfair contract terms under Australian Consumer LawA gym, telco, software, or franchise contract has a one-sided term. How do unfair contract terms work under Australian Consumer Law?
- AustraliaCancel a door-to-door or cold-call sale (ACL cooling-off)I signed up after a door-knock or cold call. How do I cancel within the Australian Consumer Law cooling-off period?
- VictoriaVictorian owners corporation disputes: internal complaint, DSCV, VCATHow do I resolve a Victorian owners corporation dispute through the internal process, DSCV, and VCAT?
- NSWClaiming compensation as a NSW tenantMy NSW landlord breached the tenancy and it cost me. How do I claim compensation today?
- Australia (Commonwealth)Recover unpaid wages through Fair Work Ombudsman and small claimsMy employer underpaid me. How do I recover unpaid wages in Australia today?
- NSWNSW strata disputes: free Fair Trading mediation then NCATHow do I resolve a NSW strata scheme dispute through Fair Trading mediation and NCAT?
- Australia (Commonwealth)Unfair deactivation for gig and employee-like workersA digital labour platform deactivated me. Can I challenge unfair deactivation at the Fair Work Commission?
- Australia (Commonwealth)Unfair dismissal at the Fair Work Commission (Form F2)I was dismissed from my job. How do I apply for unfair dismissal at the Fair Work Commission using Form F2?
- AustraliaFaulty goods: major vs minor problems and refundsMy product is faulty. When can I demand a refund instead of a repair under Australian Consumer Law?
- QueenslandWater usage charges in a Queensland rentalCan my Queensland landlord charge me for water usage, and what do I do if the bill looks wrong?
- VictoriaWater usage charges in a Victorian rentalCan my Victorian landlord charge me for water usage, and what do I do if the bill looks wrong?
- VictoriaClaiming compensation as a Victorian renterMy Victorian landlord breached their duties and it cost me. How do I claim compensation today?
- NSWWater usage charges in a NSW rentalCan my NSW landlord charge me for water usage, and what do I do if the bill looks wrong?
These guides are general legal information, not legal advice. Zoe can make mistakes - check the cited sources, and for advice about your situation consult a qualified Australian lawyer.