Tenancy Agreement
Use Tenancy Agreements
It is important to have a written agreement to prevent disputes when sharing accommodation. An agreement prevents misunderstandings caused by terms you have not discussed or have forgotten over time.
Landlords and tenant living in shared accommodation should also sign a tenancy agreement. You should be able to use a standard agreement for your state or country.
Not having a signed agreement does not increase your legal flexibility as you still have to abide by the laws and regulations of your state or country. It is in everyone’s best interest to sign a tenancy agreement.
A tenant must be paying rent for the tenancy laws to apply. Where a property is provided free, the residential tenancy laws may not apply.
Add What Parts Of The Property Can Use Exclusively
When a tenant rents a room in a shared house, the agreement must detail which parts of the property the tenant has exclusive use of and which parts are shared.
It is normal for a tenant to have exclusive use of a bedroom and share common areas such as the bathroom, kitchen, loungeroom and laundry. By adding this to an agreement, the rights and responsibilities of all parties are guaranteed.
The information on this page is only a brief summary of the laws and regulations affecting share accommodation and tenancy agreements. They are not comprehensive and it may be different in the country you live in. This information is a guide only and you should seek independent legal advice or consult the relevant laws in your country. We do not accept any liability that may arise from the use of this information.
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