As with any tenancy issue, it’s usually best to start by talking to the landlord about the problem to see if a way forward can be agreed on. Tenancy Services has some useful tips about self resolution.
If this is not successful, boarding house tenants have access to the same dispute resolution options and outcomes as tenants of standard tenancies. For example, both landlords and tenants of boarding houses are able to use a 14 day notice to ask the other party to stop breaching the tenancy agreement.
Tough penalties for landlords of boarding houses
New laws mean that landlords who own 6 or more rental properties, or at least one boarding house, are subject to bigger fines than other landlords.
This shows that Parliament expects landlords of boarding houses to understand tenancy laws, and to follow them.
The Tenancy Tribunal is likely to be tough on landlords of boarding houses who break the rules (s 109B RTA). The maximum fine for boarding house landlords who commit an “unlawful act” is $50,000 (s 109C RTA).
Follow these links for further tips on dealing with rent arrears, landlords who visit too frequently, and landlords who refuse to undertake repairs.
Did you find this information helpful?
