Guide to Rooming & Boarding Houses in SA

Living in a rooming or boarding house in South Australia comes with unique rights and responsibilities that differ from standard residential tenancies. Understanding these is crucial for protecting your living situations, such as handling rent issues or addressing repairs.

What Is a Rooming or Boarding House?

In South Australia, a rooming or boarding house is typically a property where multiple tenants rent individual rooms and share communal spaces like the kitchen and bathroom. It is governed by specific rules under the Residential Tenancies Act 1995.

Your Rights as a Tenant

• Security of Tenure: You cannot be evicted without proper notice.
• Maintenance and Repairs: Landlords must provide a safe and habitable environment.
• Privacy: Landlords need to provide notice before entering your room.

Common Issues and How to Address Them

If you encounter problems with repair needs or rent increases, knowing the right process can help you resolve them effectively.

Handling Repairs

If repairs are not carried out, you can apply to the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) for resolution.

Dealing with Rent Increases

Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1995, landlords must give you at least 60 days' written notice before a rent increase.

Check if the increase is reasonable. If you disagree, you can apply to SACAT to challenge it.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

If you're a tenant in South Australia, various resources can aid you:

• Consumer and Business Services (CBS) - Offers information and guidance on tenancy rights and issues.
• South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) - Deals with tenancy disputes.
• Community legal centers offer free legal advice to tenants.

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1. What are my rights if living in a rooming house? As a tenant, you have rights to a habitable environment, proper notice before eviction or entering your premises, and the ability to challenge unlawful rent increases.
2. How can I apply for a repair order? If repairs are not addressed by your landlord, apply to SACAT by filing a request for repairs, citing the lack of landlord action.
3. Can my rent be increased without notice? No, landlords must provide at least 60 days' written notice before implementing a rent increase.

1. How to address unfulfilled repair requests in South Australia? Review your rental agreement and document all communications requesting repairs. Lodge an application with SACAT if the landlord doesn’t respond.
2. How to dispute a rent increase? Review the notice for its compliance with the required 60-day period. If it seems unreasonable, write to your landlord or lodge an application with SACAT.

Conclusion

• Understand your specific rights and obligations under the Residential Tenancies Act 1995.
• Keep evidence of all communications with your landlord.
• Utilize SACAT and other resources for dispute resolution.

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