TENANCY ADVICE
When a problem arises between you and a housemate or you and the landlord, understanding your rights and responsibilities as a tenant can be confusing. Student Assist may be able to help with such a crisis.
Private Rental Accommodation
If you rent a home in Western Australia and have a Residential Tenancy Agreement (Form 1AA) in your name, you are legally protected by the Residential Tenancies Act 1987.
If a dispute should arise between yourself and the landlord you can access advice and assistance from Circle Green Community Legal or Sussex Street Community Law Services.
For more information check out these useful resources
Renting a Room
If you are renting a room with other students in your landlord's home you are considered a ‘Boarder” or ‘Lodger’. You are not covered by the Residential Tenancies Act 1987. Instead, you have a ‘licensee agreement’ with your landlord. As a result you should be aware of the following:
- Your landlord is not obliged to provide you with a statement of rent paid.
- There is no legal requirement for your accommodation to meet minimum physical standards.
- Any notice you may get of the termination of the tenancy is at your landlord's discretion (although the landlord is obliged to give reasonable notice, the specifics of this notice may vary)
- You cannot use the Tenancy WA (Circle Green Community Legal) service to assist if a disagreement arises between you and your landlord.
- You are not protected by anti-discrimination legislation, which prohibit discrimination on grounds of gender, civil status, family status, age, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or other grounds.
If a dispute arises you will need to take the matter to the Magistrates Court of Western Australia. For more information make an appointment with Student Assist.
Student Accommodation – UniLodge & St Catherine’s College
If you are renting student accommodation then you are considered a Boarder or Lodger and not covered by the Residential Tenancies Act. Please read through the Renting a Room information above.
If a dispute arises and you have exhausted the complaint process through Unilodge/St Catherine’s College you can make an appointment with Student Assist for assistance.
Circle Green Community Legal
Circle Green Community Legal is the merger of three specialist community legal centres in Western Australia (Tenancy WA, The Humanitarian Group and Employment Law Centre of WA)
Protecting the right to housing for all tenants through advocacy, advice and education.
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Government Information and Advice
Advice for tenants and landlords renting a property, including bonds, rent and maintenance responsibilities.
Sussex Street Community Law Services
Tenancy services at Sussex Street Community Law Service Inc are both in the provision of advocacy and legal education. The community education provides pro-active information to people on tenancy right, tenancy applications, eviction avoidance and eviction processes.
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If you are not sure of which services to access, come and talk to Student Assist and we’ll advise you on the best approach.