When you sign a rental lease, you’ll be asked to pay a rental bond, plus a set amount of rent in advance.
As with most tenancy legislation in Australia, the amount of rent in advance paid can vary from two weeks to a calendar month, depending on where you live.
We’ve broken down the rules by state and territory to help you understand what’s expected when you sign your next lease agreement.
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| State/Territory | Rent in advance payable | Notes | For further information |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEW SOUTH WALES | A landlord or agent in NSW can request a tenant pays rent up to 2 weeks in advance, but no more. | They cannot ask for further rent payments until all paid rent has been used. | Fair Trading NSW |
| VICTORIA | A rental provider in VIC can ask for a maximum of one month's rent in advance. | This is unless rent is paid weekly, in which case they can only ask for 14 days' rent in advance. Also, if the rent is above $900/week, in which case there are no limits up to the full value of the rental agreement. | Consumer Affairs Victoria |
| QUEENSLAND | The maximum rent in advance for QLD is 2 weeks for periodic agreements, or one month for a fixed-term agreement. | It is an offence for the lessor, agent or provider to require more than the maximum rent in advance, or demand additional rent before the rent you've paid is used up. | Residential Tenancies Authority |
| WESTERN AUSTRALIA | 2 weeks' rent in advance in WA. | The lessor/property manager cannot ask for more than 2 weeks' rent in advance. You can choose to pay more if it suits your salary pay period, however this is not a requirement of the tenancy agreement. | Commerce WA |
| SOUTH AUSTRALIA | Up to 2 weeks' rent in advance in SA. | Monthly, or calendar monthly rent payments can't be taken until the first two weeks rent has been used up and the next rent is due. | SA Government |
| TASMANIA | Usually 2 weeks' rent if rent is paid fortnightly in TAS. | A prospective landlord/agent is not permitted to charge anything other than rent in advance, a bond or a holding fee. | Consumer, Building and Occupational Services |
| NORTHERN TERRITORY | It's rare to have to pay more than 1 weeks' rent in advance for a property in the NT. | You don't have to pay more than one rental period in advance. | NT Government |
| AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY | 2 weeks' rent in advance in the ACT. | In all cases, while a tenant cannot be required to pay more than 2 weeks rent in advance, the tenant is able to nominate a longer period for payment in advance should they wish to do so. | ACT Government |
For advice specific to tenancy laws in your state or territory, visit our Tenancy Support In Your State page.
Have a tenancy question? Why not join the Rent.com.au Community
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