Tenant FAQs: Your Renting Questions Answered

Renting a property can be a complex process, especially when unexpected situations pop up.

At We Connect Property, we know Adelaide tenants have lots of questions about their rights, responsibilities and the rental process in South Australia.

In this article, we’ll answer some of the most common renting questions we receive.

Whether your housemate is moving out, you’re adding a family member to your lease or you need to break your lease early, we’ve got you covered.

My housemate wants to move out. Can my friend move in?

Yes, having friends move into your rental is generally ok! But, there are a few important steps to follow.

Before your friend can join you as a tenant, they need to submit a rental application, which we’ll review to make sure they meet industry standard criteria.

If approved, we will add them as a leaseholder or approved occupant. This way, everyone living at the property is documented and legally recognised, which is crucial for maintaining the terms of your lease.

How do I add my daughter to my lease?

Unless your daughter is under 18 - where no approval is needed - adding your adult daughter to your lease is easy and follows the same steps as adding any new occupant.

First, she’ll need to submit a rental application and go through the approval process.

Once she’s approved, we’ll update the lease to include her as a leaseholder or approved occupant.

This keeps everything official and protects both your rights and the property owner's interests.

What happens if I need to break my lease?

Sometimes life throws a curveball, and you might find yourself needing to break your lease early.

Breaking a lease can have legal and financial implications, so it’s important to understand the process. In South Australia, ending a fixed-term lease early involves a few steps:

Notify your landlord or property manager: Let them know as soon as you can. The earlier they are informed, the better.
Understand the costs: You may be responsible for paying rent until a new tenant is found, as well as any advertising costs and re-letting fees.
Find a new tenant: You might be able to help find a new tenant to take over your lease. Once a new rental listing ad is created your property manager, you are able to share this, which can speed up the process. For more information on ending a fixed-term lease early, visit this link.

What maintenance responsibilities do I have as a tenant?

As a tenant, you have a responsibility to maintain the rental property in good condition. This includes:

Keeping the property clean and tidy: Regular cleaning and proper waste disposal are essential to maintaining the property.
Reporting maintenance issues promptly: If something breaks or needs repair, including things like faulty smoke alarms, let your property manager know as soon as possible to prevent further damage and ensure everything is working as it should.
Basic upkeep: Things like keeping the property dust and spiderweb-free, cleaning air conditioner filters and maintaining gardens (if specified in your lease) are your responsibility.

Extra Tips for Tenants

Document Your Requests: Always keep a record of your communication with your property manager regarding rent negotiations, payment schedule changes or requests for property modifications.
Stay Informed: Review the South Australian renting guidelines to understand your rights and responsibilities.
Seek Advice: If you’re unsure about any aspect of your tenancy, don’t hesitate to seek advice from your property manager or relevant rental authorities.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of our Tenant FAQs, where we'll address more of your pressing renting questions.

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At We Connect Property, we're dedicated to providing exceptional service and support to our tenants.

If you have more questions or need assistance with any aspect of your tenancy, don't hesitate to reach out to us.

As property experts with over 21+ years combined experience in buying, selling and managing property in Adelaide, here to help you every step of the way.

Check out all our 5 star Google reviews to find out what our happy clients think!

Give us a call on (08) 7324 5307 today, or visit our website for the most recent rental listings - we can’t wait to chat!

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We Connect Property - your Adelaide real estate & property management specialists.

DISCLAIMER: All recommendations made by We Connect Property are general in nature and not to be relied upon as legal or financial advice. To ensure accuracy, we always strongly recommend seeking independent, professional advice tailored to your specific situation before making any investment or financial decisions.