The South Australian government's new rental laws come into effect 1 July 2024.
The biggest reforms to our state's rental laws in a generation improve security for tenants facing record low vacancy rates, while ensuring the rights of landlords are protected.
From 1 July 2024:
- Landlords need prescribed grounds to terminate or not renew a tenancy
- The notice period to end a fixed tenancy increases from 28 days to 60 days
- Tenants are allowed to have pets in rental homes with clear guidelines
- Tenants’ information is better protected
- Rental properties have to comply with minimum housing standards
- Additional options are provided for people experiencing domestic abuse.
For the first time, tenants can have pets in rental homes, subject to approval and reasonable conditions that can be set by their landlord, such as keeping the animal outside or having the carpets cleaned at the end of the tenancy.
Landlords are only able to end a periodic tenancy or not renew a fixed term lease for a prescribed reason including breaches by the tenant, wanting to sell, renovate or occupy the property.
The state government has also increased the minimum notice to end a fixed tenancy from 28 days to 60 days, so tenants now have more time to secure a new home and make the necessary arrangements to move.
Other measures introduced include limiting the frequency of rent increases to once in a 12-month period, banning the soliciting of rent bidding and raising the bond threshold, which has already saved tenants more than $40 million since being introduced in April 2023.
