Private Lease Agreement SA

What you need to do before signing a private lease agreement and how to protect yourself as a landlord in SA.

Before Approving a Tenant

1. Do a thorough check on the tenant (you can arrange this through us).
2. Phone/check all the tenant’s references – they will be asked to supply details of their current employer, current landlord, and personal references on our tenancy application.

When you’re ready to approve a Tenant

You will need to meet and sign an agreement with the tenant, give them printed factsheets, and complete a report on the condition of the property. Links and further explanation are below.

1. Meet with the tenant to sign the appropriate Residential Tenancy Agreement form. Supply a copy to the tenant (within 21 days of signing).
2. When you both sign the lease, useful information for both the rights and responsibilities of landlord and tenant can be found here.
3. Complete an inspection sheet. Keep one copy for yourself and supply two copies to the tenant. Where possible, complete this report with tenant to minimise disagreements about what is noted. Download a blank inspection sheet here. 
4. Request a bond of 4 weeks rent. When received, make sure to give the tenant a receipt, and then lodge the money with the Residential Bonds Online Service. You can apply for release of monies to cover damage or if the tenant breaks the lease/stops paying rent.

During the Tenancy

1. Conduct routine property inspections no more than once a month (up to 4 times a year is recommended). Give the tenant notice (using this form) no less than 7 and no more than 14 days before the day of entry
2. Keep all documentation of any occurrences (e.g. copies of any letters/receipts you send to tenant, photos of any damage etc.), in case of future disputes.

Other

We strongly recommend completing National Tenancy Database/TICA blacklist checks before approving any tenant (you can arrange this through PropertyNow). 

As well as checking tenancy blacklists, you should consider checking the ACCR criminal court attendance database here. You can also order full police background checks through PropertyNow, if you wish.

Most importantly, we recommend taking out Landlords Insurance – this covers you for theft, malicious damage, or loss of rent if the tenant stops paying.  There are many different providers so make sure to shop around. Here’s two to get you started:

• Canstar
• RAC

Lastly, click here for a general overview of landlord and tenant responsibilities, forms and fact sheets. We strongly recommend reading all the information on this page and bookmarking it for future reference.