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Free Residential Tenancy
Agreement Template

Create a professional lease agreement for your rental property. AI fills in property details, rent, bond, and terms, then send to tenants for electronic signing.

What's Included

Property Details

Full address, property type, included fixtures and fittings, and condition report references.

Rent & Bond

Weekly or monthly rent amount, payment method, bond amount, and lodgement details.

Lease Term

Fixed term or periodic tenancy, start and end dates, and renewal options.

Tenant Obligations

Maintenance responsibilities, permitted use, noise restrictions, and pet policies.

Landlord Obligations

Repair and maintenance duties, access notice requirements, and emergency contact details.

Termination & Breach

Notice periods for ending the tenancy, breach remedies, and early termination provisions.

Who Needs This Template?

Landlords Leasing Residential Property

Create a professional tenancy agreement without paying a property manager or solicitor.

Property Managers Handling Multiple Tenancies

Standardise your lease agreements and send for signing in bulk with SignAndGo.

Tenants Wanting a Written Agreement

Ensure your rights are documented. Request a proper lease from your landlord.

Share House Arrangements

Formalise room rental agreements between housemates with clear terms.

How It Works

1

Choose This Template

Select the residential tenancy agreement from our library.

2

AI Customises It

Gemini AI fills in your property address, rent, bond, and lease terms. All [INSERT] placeholders are removed.

3

Send for Signing

Review the lease and send to your tenants. They sign electronically from any device.

Residential Tenancy Agreements in Australia: A Practical Guide

A residential tenancy agreement (commonly called a lease) is the legally binding contract between a landlord and a tenant for the rental of a home. It records the rent, the bond, the length of the tenancy, and the rights and responsibilities of each party. In Australia, residential tenancies are heavily regulated, and the rules are set separately by each state and territory through its own Residential Tenancies Act. That means the detail of what a lease must contain, and how it must be handled, depends on where the property is located.

When do you need one?

A written agreement should be in place before a tenant moves in. Landlords leasing a property directly, property managers handling multiple tenancies, tenants who want their rights documented, and housemates formalising a share arrangement all rely on a lease. A written agreement is the best protection against disputes about rent, repairs, or the return of the bond at the end of the tenancy.

The key clauses every lease should contain

A residential tenancy agreement should identify all parties and the property, state the rent amount and payment frequency, set out the bond and its lodgement, and define whether the tenancy is fixed-term or periodic with clear start and end dates. It should cover the tenant's obligations (paying rent, keeping the property reasonably clean, not causing damage), the landlord's obligations (repairs, maintenance, and giving proper notice before entry), rules on pets and alterations, and the notice required to end the tenancy. A condition report at the start is essential evidence for the bond return later.

State and territory differences matter

This is the area where residential tenancy law differs most across Australia. Each state and territory has its own Residential Tenancies Act, and several mandate an official standard form agreement that should be used for compliance. Bond caps, the bond authority you lodge with, notice periods to end a tenancy or raise rent, and the rules for entry and inspections all vary by jurisdiction. Always confirm the requirements where the property is located, and use the prescribed form if your state requires one.

Signing and common mistakes

Leases are ordinary agreements, not deeds, so no witness is needed and electronic signatures are valid under the Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (Cth) and the matching state laws. The most common mistakes are failing to lodge the bond with the correct authority, skipping the condition report, using a generic lease that ignores the state's mandatory form, giving the wrong notice period, and leaving special conditions vague. Getting the form right for your jurisdiction and documenting the property's condition upfront prevents most tenancy disputes.

This page is general information about residential tenancy agreements in Australia and is not legal advice. Tenancy law differs in every state and territory. Check your jurisdiction's Residential Tenancies Act and use the official form where required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my state require an official standard form lease?

Several states and territories mandate a prescribed standard form residential tenancy agreement, and some require it be used for the agreement to comply. Because each jurisdiction has its own Residential Tenancies Act and its own approved form, you should check your state or territory's requirements and use the official form where one is required. This template is a useful general reference and starting point.

How much bond can a landlord ask for?

Bond caps are set by each state and territory's tenancy legislation, and they differ. In many jurisdictions the maximum is around four weeks' rent, with some allowing more for higher-rent properties. The bond must be lodged with the relevant state bond authority rather than held by the landlord directly. Record the bond amount and lodgement details in the agreement.

Can a tenant sign a lease electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are valid for residential tenancy agreements under the Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (Cth) and the equivalent state and territory laws. SignAndGo records a full audit trail, including timestamps, so a digitally signed lease is enforceable and easy to evidence.

What is the difference between a fixed-term and a periodic tenancy?

A fixed-term tenancy runs for a set period, such as six or twelve months, with defined start and end dates. A periodic tenancy continues on a rolling basis (often month to month) until either party ends it with the correct notice. Fixed terms give both sides certainty, while periodic terms offer flexibility. The agreement should state which applies.

How much notice is needed to end a tenancy?

Notice periods to end a tenancy, raise rent, or carry out an inspection are set by each state and territory's Residential Tenancies Act and vary by the reason and the type of tenancy. Always check the current notice requirements in your jurisdiction, because using the wrong period can make a notice invalid.

Can a landlord enter the property whenever they want?

No. Landlords and agents must give the tenant the legally required notice before entering, except in genuine emergencies, and entry is limited to specific purposes such as repairs or inspections. The notice periods and permitted reasons are set by state and territory law and should be reflected in the agreement.

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