Good Communication the Key to Gaining Access to a Rental Property
Even though Australians have one of the largest per capita rates of home ownership in the world, there
are hundreds of thousands of households who rent their dwellings, either by choice or economic
necessity. Many tenants in the private rental market have long-standing relationships with their
landlords, and have been occupying the same premises for a number of years. They are the dream
tenants who pay their rent on time, look after the property like it was their own and get along with their
neighbours. The wise landlord or agent looks after these kinds of tenants, treats them with respect and
guards their privacy.
A tenant is just as entitled to privacy as a home owner. While they are paying rent and fulfilling all the
requirements of the tenancy agreement, the rental property is their home, and entry to that property is
restricted by law even to the landlord or the rental property management Brisbane agency looking after
the tenancy.
There are a number of legitimate reasons why a landlord or agent may need to gain access to a property
being occupied by a tenant. The landlord may have decided to put the property on the market, and
needs access for the real estate agent to show it to prospective buyers. It may be time for the scheduled
inspection documented in the tenancy agreement, or there may be repairs needed and trades people
need access.
The landlord or agent can only enter a rental property for a valid reason and if the required notice has
been given. For the regular, three monthly inspections seven days notice must be given. For all other
reasons to request access, only twenty-four hours notice is required, but the requests must fit the
“lawful purpose of entry” as set down by the Residential Tenancies Authority. If, however, the tenant
agrees that the landlord or agent can enter the premises, it is simply a matter of agreeing a time with all
parties.
Entry to the premises must be at a reasonable time, generally between 8am and 6pm Monday to
Saturday. If outside these hours or on a Sunday or public holiday, the tenant must agree. The tenant
does not have to be present during the entry, but it is recommended that they or someone else they
nominate should be there, to protect their interests.
A tenant cannot prevent entry to their rental property provided the correct notice, form and time have
been given to them. However they can dispute an entry by discussing it with the landlord or Property
manager Brisbane, or use the RTA’s dispute resolution service if agreement cannot be reached.
While the tenant is entitled to privacy and “quiet enjoyment” of the rental property, there will be some
occasions when access needs to be given to others. Provided the lines of communication are kept open,
and the correct procedures are followed, it should be a painless process for everyone.
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