How do I remove my name from a tenancy database like TICA?

Are you struggling to rent a property in Australia because you’re listed on a tenancy database like TICA? Don’t worry; you’re not alone.

Thankfully, there are steps you can take to clear your name and improve your chances of securing a rental.

What is the TICA database?

First, it’s essential to understand what TICA is and how it works. TICA is a national tenancy database containing information about tenants’ rental history.

Real estate agents use these databases (sometimes called ‘blacklists’) to screen potential tenants and determine their suitability for a property.

Unfortunately, being listed on a tenancy database can sometimes make it difficult to rent a property.

Why have I been listed on a tenancy database?

If you’re listed on TICA or another tenancy database, there are three main reasons why this might have happened.

  1. You may owe money above the bond amount
  2. You may have been terminated for objectionable behaviour, or
  3. You have been terminated for repeated breaches.

If any of these apply to you, you may have been listed on a tenancy database.

What rules apply to these databases?

Fortunately, there are rules in place that agents and lessors must follow when listing a tenant on a tenancy database, and there are steps you can take to dispute a listing.

When you apply for a rental, the agent or lessor must let you know if you’re listed on a tenancy database. They must also give you information about who listed you, the database you’re listed on, and how you can dispute the listing.

When you leave a rental, your lessor or agent must tell you if they intend to list you on a tenancy database and give you 14 days to object to the proposed listing.

How long does my information stay on TICA?

If you’re listed on TICA, your personal information can only be held on the database for three years.

After three years, the listing must be removed, and database operators can be fined if they don’t comply.

If you’re aware of a listing over three years old that hasn’t been removed, you can write to the listing agent, lessor, or database operator and request that it be removed.

You can apply to the Tribunal for an order if it’s not removed.

How do I remove my name from TICA?

If you owe money above the bond amount, you may be able to have your name removed from the tenancy database by paying the amount owed within three months of the due date.

Payments made outside this period may change the listing to ‘inaccurate,’ but it may remain on the database for up to three years.

Is TICA Australia-wide?

TICA is the largest tenancy database in the country and is Australia-wide.

How do I contact TICA?

Have you tried talking to TICA? Check out the TICA website for more information. TICA no longer has a phone or email contact for tenants, but has a tenant services page to check for the latest information.

How do I show my good rental record?

To improve your chances of renting a property, you can also check your rental record with RentCheck. RentCheck is a tenant report that verifies your identity and shows any reported breaches in your rental history on the National Tenancy Database.

Don’t let a listing on a tenancy database hold you back from finding the perfect rental property. Take these steps to clear your name and show your good rental record.

And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact TICA or seek advice from a legal professional.

Rent.com.au
Rent.com.au | 1300 736 810 | [email protected]

Rent.com.au is Australia's largest company dedicated to renters and is owned and operated by ASX-listed Rent.com.au Limited (RNT:ASX). For over 15 years, Rent.com.au has exclusively focused on making renters' lives easier by making it easier to find a property, secure it, move in and pay rent.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

12 COMMENTS

  1. Hello dear Sir/Madam, I need to remove my name from the TICA List. Can you please assist me with the process? Also, I have already paid all the necessary dues to my real estate. Thank you for your help.

    • Hi Kulwinder,
      If the information listed about you is out-of-date, inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading (because you have paid the money to your agent, for example), you should write to the landlord or real estate agent to ask them to correct or remove the listing. The landlord or agent must write to the database company within seven days of receiving your written notice and ask them to correct or remove the listing. The database company must make the changes within 14 days of receiving written notice.

    • Hi Yeyimi,

      Generally speaking (and please speak to the tenancy body in your state for clarification as this is not legal advice), if you owe money for outstanding rent or repairs, you have three months to pay up after your initial listing, and your name will be removed from the database. Payments made outside this period will see the listing changed to ‘inaccurate’ but may remain listed for up to three years.

    • Hi Kerry,

      If you would like to order a free copy of your personal National Tenancy Database (residential) report, you can visit this site: https://veda.credagility.com/welcome. NTD will provide you with a free copy of your report within 10 days via email once your ID credentials have been successfully verified. If you require your report as soon as possible, they charge a fee of $38.50.

      Alternatively, RentCheck verifies your ID and uses government records and a rental check on the Equifax National Tenancy Database (NTD), including the Australian Government’s Document Verification Service (DVS), to give Property Managers and Landlords comfort that your rental application is trustworthy. It’s just $25. You can find more info here: https://www.rent.com.au/renters/rentcheck 🙂

  4. A friend of mine left a former property two years ago owing $500 in rent. Yesterday, on February 13th, 2020, she was placed on TICA, as the landlord claims that the house was trashed and that the lease was broken. However, my friend insists that these claims are false. Currently, she, her husband, and their three children are renting another home, but have to leave in six days as the owner is selling it. Unfortunately, being placed on TICA is preventing them from renting another house, and they are now desperate as they may become homeless if their names are not removed from TICA. What can they do?

  5. Does TICA include lodgers, boarders, and people who live in temporary accommodation? I gave notice to leave temporary accommodation, and the manager demanded that I pay two weeks’ rent to vacate a room. There was no bond, and my rent was paid up to date. The manager threatened to list my name on TICA. I was not a tenant, so I left after a few days, even though I had paid my rent for one week.

  7. Hi, I would like to know what happens when the debt is not fully paid off by the time the three years are up. Does the real estate have the power to relist the tenant for another three years?

  9. My partner’s name was put on TICA on December 3rd. The landlord gave reasons, stating that it was due to rent arrears. My partner was not notified and was given only 14 days to dispute the matter. He found out about it after Housing conducted a check on his name, my name, and our son’s name. Only he was put on TICA, while mine and my son’s names were not. Last week, we applied for a house, only to find out from the real estate that they did a TICA check, and both mine and my son’s names had been added on January 13th. Again, we were not notified, so we couldn’t dispute the matter within 14 days. We also have records that what we owed was already covered and paid for by the bond the landlord received, plus money that Housing assisted us with. The rent amount owing was $2800, and she was given $3000 altogether. How do I dispute and remove our names, and why was my partner put on first in December, then me and my son in January, even though we were all on the same lease agreement, and the money has already been paid? It doesn’t make any sense.

LEAVE A REPLY