Landlord Rights SA — Complete Guide for Self-Managing Landlords

If you own a rental property in South Australia, your rights and obligations as a landlord are set out in the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 and the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2025. Between March 2024 and January 2026, SA underwent its most significant rental law reform since the Act was first passed — abolishing no-grounds terminations, introducing pet provisions, imposing minimum housing standards, restricting what information you can collect from prospective tenants, and increasing penalties for most offences by up to ten times their previous amounts.

This guide covers every major right and obligation you have as a self-managing landlord in SA, with section references to the legislation and links to our detailed guides on each topic. If you’re coming from interstate, pay close attention — SA’s rules differ from every other state, and the terminology is different too. And if you’re weighing up whether to self-manage or use an agent, see our Property Management Fees Adelaide guide for a detailed cost comparison.

For the detailed workflows that sit behind these rights and obligations, start with the SA lease agreement guide, SA rental bond guide, and broader SA residential tenancies act guide guides for this state.

Choosing a Tenant

You have the right to choose who lives in your property, but SA law places strict limits on how you go about it.

The Prescribed Rental Application Form (Form A1)

From 1 January 2026, every landlord and agent in SA must use the prescribed rental application form — Form A1 — for all new tenancy applications. You cannot use your own custom application form or require applicants to use a third-party platform that collects information beyond what Form A1 permits. The form was introduced on 1 September 2025 with a transition period, and became mandatory from 1 January 2026.

Limits on Information Collection

SA restricts what information you can request from a prospective tenant to three categories: identity, financial ability, and suitability. Within each category, you can request a maximum of two documents. The Residential Tenancies Regulations 2025 prescribe the specific categories of information that landlords (excluding NRAS and NDIS landlords, registered community housing providers, and registered charities) must not request.

You must also destroy prospective tenant information within the timeframes set by the Act (Section 76B). For unsuccessful applicants, you must destroy their information within 30 days after the tenancy is let — unless the applicant consents to their information being held for up to 6 months (which may assist them with future applications). For successful applicants, tenant information must be destroyed within 3 years after the tenancy ends. These legislated destruction timeframes apply from 1 September 2024.

Rent Bidding Is Banned

Since 1 September 2023, landlords and agents must advertise rental premises at a fixed amount. You cannot solicit or invite offers for higher rent, advertise with a rent range, put a property up for rent auction, or accept a higher rent offered by a prospective tenant above the advertised price. Where a third party facilitates applications, any rating or assessment of a prospective tenant must not be based on an offer of higher rent.

Disclosure Obligations Before Signing

You must advise prospective tenants before entering into the agreement if the premises are being advertised for sale or are subject to an existing sales agency agreement (Section 47A). If you intend to sell within 3 months, you must display and distribute this information in accordance with CBS requirements and must not conceal it to induce a tenant to sign (Section 47C). For more detail on sale-related obligations, see the Sale of the Property section below.

For a detailed guide on SA tenancy agreements — including what must be included, what terms are void, and the difference between fixed-term and periodic agreements — see our Lease Agreement SA guide.

The Tenancy Agreement

Every residential tenancy in SA is governed by either a fixed-term or periodic tenancy agreement. The Act requires you to use the prescribed form of agreement set out in the Regulations. You bear the cost of preparing the agreement (Section 50).

What You Must Provide at the Start

When the tenancy begins, you must give the tenant vacant possession of the premises on the day the tenancy is to begin (Section 64(1)). You must also provide the tenant with:

The Tenant Information Guide — the official CBS guide that sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The agreement must require the tenant to acknowledge receipt of this guide. The current version was updated on 1 September 2025.

A Section 48 notice — written notification of your name and address, or your agent’s details, and an address for service of documents. If these details change, you must notify the tenant within 14 days. If the property is subject to a mortgage, you must also provide the mortgagee’s name and address.

A condition report (inspection sheet) — a signed record of the condition of the premises and its fixtures, fittings, and contents at the start of the tenancy. The tenant must be given a copy after they have signed it. This document is critical at the end of the tenancy when bond claims are assessed.

Instructions for domestic appliances — if the premises contain domestic appliances that require instruction for proper use, you must list them in the agreement and provide either manufacturers’ manuals or written or oral instructions (Section 48(2)). If a tenant unintentionally damages the premises through use of an uninstructed appliance, you lose your right to claim compensation (Section 69(3a)).

Terms That Are Automatically Void

A term of a tenancy agreement that is inconsistent with the Act is void (Section 42). You cannot contract out of the Act’s protections. Common examples of void terms include clauses requiring more than 2 weeks’ rent in advance, clauses imposing a pet bond, clauses allowing entry without proper notice, and clauses requiring professional carpet cleaning regardless of condition.

For full detail on lease agreements in SA, see our Lease Agreement SA guide.

Rent

How Much You Can Charge

SA does not cap the amount of rent you can charge, but if a tenant believes the rent is excessive, they can apply to SACAT for an order reducing it (Section 56). SACAT will consider the general level of rents for comparable premises in the area, the condition and facilities of the property, and any other relevant factors.

Rent in Advance

You cannot require more than 2 weeks’ rent in advance before the end of the first 2 weeks of the tenancy (Section 54(1)). The maximum penalty for breaching this rule is $25,000, with an expiation fee of $1,200.

Payment Methods

You must provide the tenant with at least one means of paying rent that is electronic and does not involve a third-party collection service that charges a fee (Section 56A(1)). You cannot charge or receive any fee for the payment or collection of rent (Section 56A(2)). The maximum penalty for charging rent collection fees is $35,000.

Record Keeping

You must keep records of every payment received — date, payer’s name, amount, property address, the period the payment covers (if rent), and the purpose (if not rent). These records must be maintained for the duration of the tenancy and for at least 2 years after it ends. If the tenant makes a written request, you must provide a written statement of recorded payment information within 7 days (Section 58(1)). If rent is paid by a means other than deposit into a bank or credit union account, you must provide a receipt within 48 hours (Section 58(2)). From 15 January 2026, electronic receipts are explicitly permitted.

Rent Increases

You can increase rent no more than once every 12 months, and you must give at least 60 days’ written notice before the increase takes effect. The 15 January 2026 amendment clarified that advance agreements for incremental raises within a 12-month period are also prohibited — meaning you cannot include a clause in the lease that sets out, say, quarterly rent increases.

If the tenant believes the increase is excessive, they can apply to SACAT for an order fixing the rent and varying the agreement (Section 56(3)).

For full detail on rent increase rules, notice requirements, and how SACAT assesses excessive rent claims, see our Rent Increase SA guide.

Bond

Maximum Amounts

For properties where the weekly rent is $800 or less, the maximum bond is 4 weeks’ rent. For properties where the weekly rent exceeds $800, the maximum bond is 6 weeks’ rent (Section 61(3), Regulation 13). These thresholds apply from 1 April 2023.

You cannot require more than one bond for the same tenancy agreement (Section 61(1)), and you cannot charge a separate pet bond under any circumstances.

Lodgement

You must lodge the bond with the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs within 2 weeks of receiving it. If you are a registered land agent, you have 4 weeks (Regulation 14(1)). You must provide a receipt within 48 hours of receiving the bond payment (Section 62(1)).

From 1 July 2024, tenants may also lodge their bond directly with the Commissioner, who will then notify you of the receipt.

Bond Increases

You can request a bond increase, but only if at least 2 years have passed since the bond was paid or last increased, and only by giving at least 60 days’ written notice. The total bond after the increase cannot exceed the relevant maximum (Section 61(2)).

Bond Disputes

At the end of the tenancy, if you and the tenant cannot agree on how to divide the bond, either party can apply to CBS through the Residential Bonds Online system. If agreement still cannot be reached, the matter goes to SACAT.

For full detail on bond rules in SA, see our Rental Bond SA guide.

Entering the Property

Your right to enter the rental premises is governed by Section 72 of the Act. Entry must occur between 8am and 8pm on any day other than a Sunday or public holiday (defined as “normal hours”). Outside of emergencies, you must give advance notice and can only enter for the specific reasons set out in the Act.

Emergencies

You can enter at any time without notice in a genuine emergency — but you must be able to establish that your actions were justified. Generally, only danger to the property or to a person will satisfy the definition of an emergency.

Routine Inspections

You can inspect the property a maximum of 4 times per year (unless SACAT orders otherwise). You must give between 7 and 28 days’ written notice, stating the purpose, the date, and a period of up to 2 hours within normal hours during which the entry will occur. If the property is in a remote location or you need to be accompanied by another person for the inspection, you do not need to specify a 2-hour period, but the entry must still occur within normal hours.

Repairs and Maintenance

For non-emergency repairs or necessary maintenance (other than garden maintenance), you can enter either at the request of the tenant, or at a time within normal hours after giving at least 48 hours’ notice (Section 72(1)(e)). These are two separate bases for entry — where the tenant requests the repair, you do not need to give 48 hours’ notice.

Garden Maintenance

You can enter for garden maintenance at a time previously arranged with the tenant (no more than 7 days before the day of entry), or after giving 7 to 14 days’ written notice, or at the tenant’s request.

Showing to Prospective Tenants

During the last 28 days of the tenancy, you can show the premises to prospective tenants on a reasonable number of occasions within normal hours, after giving reasonable notice. The tenant cannot be compelled to allow viewings outside this 28-day period.

Showing to Prospective Purchasers

You can show the property to prospective purchasers on no more than 2 occasions in any 7-day period (unless the tenant agrees otherwise), at a time agreed with the tenant within normal hours. If the tenant unreasonably withholds agreement, you can apply to SACAT for an order.

Checking Whether a Breach Has Been Remedied

After you have given the tenant notice of a breach, you can enter to determine whether the breach has been remedied — but only after giving 7 to 14 days’ written notice in the prescribed form (Form 2), stating the purpose, date, and time of entry within normal hours.

Collecting Rent

You can enter to collect rent no more than once per week, at a time previously arranged with the tenant. This right only exists if a reasonable alternative payment method (not involving attendance at the premises) has been offered to but not accepted by the tenant (Section 72(1)(b)).

Housing Assessment or Improvement Orders

You can enter at a reasonable time after giving at least 48 hours’ notice to carry out the requirements of a housing assessment order or housing improvement order under the Housing Improvement Act 2016 (Section 72(1)(ea)).

Other Genuine Purposes

You can enter for any other genuine purpose after giving 7 to 14 days’ written notice stating the purpose, date, and time of entry within normal hours — or with the tenant’s consent (Section 72(1)(i)).

Abandoned Premises

If you believe on reasonable grounds that the tenant has abandoned the premises, you may enter without following the standard notice procedures (Section 72(1)(j)).

Photographs and Video Recordings During Entry

Under Regulation 21, if you intend to produce photographs or video recordings that capture the tenant’s personal possessions during entry for routine inspections (Section 72(1)(c)), SACAT-ordered inspections (Section 72(1)(ca)), showing to prospective tenants (Section 72(1)(f)), showing to prospective purchasers (Section 72(1)(g)), or checking whether a breach has been remedied (Section 72(1)(h)), you must give the tenant at least 7 days’ written notice and obtain the tenant’s written consent before producing the recording. Separately, any photo or video record produced during these entries must not be distributed or published to the public unless 7 days’ prior written notice of the production was given to the tenant.

Repairs and Maintenance

Your Obligations

You must provide and maintain the premises in a reasonable state of cleanliness (Section 67) and a reasonable state of repair (Section 68(1)(a)). You must also comply with all statutory requirements affecting the premises (Section 68(1)(b)), provide and maintain locks and security devices to keep the premises reasonably secure (Section 66), and ensure the premises comply with prescribed minimum housing standards at the beginning of the tenancy (Section 67A).

The obligation to repair applies even if the tenant knew about the disrepair before moving in (Section 68(1a)). However, you are not in breach unless you have notice of the defect and fail to act with reasonable diligence to have it repaired (Section 68(2)).

Minimum Housing Standards

From 1 July 2024, the premises must comply with the prescribed minimum housing standards under the Housing Improvement Act 2016 at the beginning of the tenancy. These standards are set out in the Housing Improvement Regulations 2017 and are administered by the Housing Safety Authority SA. If the premises do not comply, the tenant can require you to carry out urgent repairs, and they can also terminate the tenancy under Section 85B.

When a Tenant Can Arrange Their Own Repairs

If the disrepair is not the tenant’s fault, is likely to cause injury, property damage, or undue inconvenience, and you fail to act after being notified, the tenant can arrange for repairs by a licensed person and recover the cost from you (Section 68(3)). The tenant can also apply to SACAT for compensation for any damage they suffered as a result of your failure to repair (Section 68(5)).

Minimum Efficiency Standards

From 15 January 2026, when you replace an appliance, fitting, or fixture on the premises, the replacement must meet the prescribed minimum efficiency standards. This does not apply to items installed before the provision commenced, but it will apply when those items are eventually replaced.

Pets

Since 1 July 2024, you cannot blanket-refuse pets or state “no pets allowed” in advertising — unless pets are specifically prohibited by the property’s strata or community title rules, rooming house rules, or residential park rules.

The Approval Process

A tenant who wants to keep a pet must apply using the prescribed application form. You must respond within 14 days. Your response can include reasonable conditions for approval (such as requiring the pet to be kept outside, or requiring regular flea treatment) or reasons for refusal. You can only refuse on the specific grounds set out in the Act — such as where the premises are unsuitable for the type of pet, where pets are prohibited under the property’s strata or community title by-laws, where the pet poses a risk to the health or safety of other occupants, or where keeping the pet would result in an unreasonable number of animals at the premises. You cannot refuse simply because you don’t want pets on your property.

You cannot charge a pet bond. Local council laws may also limit the types or numbers of animals that can be kept.

Termination for Unapproved Pets

If a tenant keeps a pet on the premises without the required authorisation (other than an exempt pet such as a guide dog), this is a ground for termination. For periodic tenancies, you would use Form 8 with 90 days’ notice.

Quiet Enjoyment

You must not cause or permit any interference with the tenant’s reasonable peace, comfort, and privacy in their use of the premises (Section 65). You must also take all reasonable steps to enforce the same obligation against your other tenants in adjacent premises. The maximum penalty for breaching quiet enjoyment is $35,000.

This means you cannot visit the property unannounced, conduct unnecessary inspections, harass the tenant about how they use the premises, or allow another tenant in an adjacent property to persistently disturb them without taking action.

Locks and Security

You must provide and maintain locks and security devices so that the premises are reasonably secure (Section 66). Neither you nor the tenant can alter, remove, or add a lock or security device without the other’s consent — with one exception.

From 1 July 2024, a protected person under an intervention order who is a party to the tenancy or lives at the premises as their primary residence may alter any lock or security device without your consent (Section 66A(1)). They must give you a key and a copy of the intervention order as soon as practicable.

If you believe a tenant is unreasonably withholding consent to a lock change, you can apply to SACAT for a determination that consent is not required (Section 66B).

Alterations and Additions

A tenant cannot make alterations or additions to the premises without your written consent (Section 70). However, you must not unreasonably withhold consent to an alteration that is minor, is necessary to ensure the provision of prescribed infrastructure or services, or is necessary for a tenant with a disability or mobility needs where the alteration does not significantly affect the structure of the premises.

The cost of the alteration is borne by the tenant, and they must return the premises to its former state at the end of the tenancy (unless you agree otherwise).

Subletting and Assignment

The tenant has the right to sublet or assign their interest in the premises with your written consent (Section 74). You cannot unreasonably withhold consent, and you must not charge a fee for giving consent. You can, however, recover reasonable expenses actually incurred because of the assignment or subletting.

Sale of the Property

Before entering into a tenancy agreement, you must advise any prospective tenant if you have advertised or intend to advertise the premises for sale, or if an existing sales agency agreement is in place (Section 47A). If you intend to sell within 3 months of entering into the tenancy agreement, you must display and distribute that information in accordance with CBS requirements and must not induce a tenant to enter the agreement by concealing it (Section 47C).

Once a tenancy is on foot, if you enter into a sales agency agreement to sell the property, you must provide written notice to the tenant no less than 14 days after signing the agency agreement (Section 71A). If the property is sold, you must provide written notice of the purchaser’s details and the date from which rent is to be paid to them, at least 14 days before settlement.

Terminating a Tenancy

This is the area most fundamentally changed by the 2024 reforms.

No-Grounds Terminations Are Abolished

From 1 July 2024, you can no longer end a tenancy without a reason. Every termination notice must state a prescribed ground.

Periodic Tenancies

To end a periodic tenancy on one of the Regulation 24 prescribed grounds, you must give at least 90 days’ notice using Form 8. These grounds cover matters such as a serious safety risk, threats or intimidation, an unapproved pet, false or misleading information about the tenant’s identity or occupation, and certain eligibility changes.

The main possession-required grounds use a different pathway. If you require possession for demolition, repairs or renovations that cannot be conveniently carried out while the tenant remains, owner or family occupation, sale under a contract, or sale after entering a sales agency agreement, use Form 7 under Section 81 with at least 60 days’ notice. These possession grounds require supporting written evidence approved by the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs.

Fixed-Term Tenancies

To end a fixed-term tenancy at the expiry of the fixed term, you must give at least 60 days’ notice using Form 9, specifying one of the prescribed grounds set out in Regulation 25. If you do not give notice, the agreement automatically continues as a periodic tenancy with the same terms.

Breach of Agreement

If the tenant breaches the agreement, you can issue a notice of termination using Form 5. For rent arrears, the rent must be at least 14 days behind before you can issue the notice. If the breach can be remedied, the tenant has a specified period to fix it. If the breach is not remedied, the tenancy ends on the date stated in the notice.

Terminations That Go Directly to SACAT

Some situations allow you to apply directly to SACAT without issuing a termination notice first — including where the tenant has caused serious damage, used the premises for illegal purposes, or where the agreement has been frustrated (for example, the property has been destroyed or rendered uninhabitable).

Acceptance of Rent After Notice

Under Section 117, a termination notice given by a landlord is not waived or withdrawn merely because you accept rent after the notice is given. This means you can continue to accept rent payments during the notice period without invalidating the notice.

Re-Letting Restrictions

If you recover possession under Section 81 (periodic tenancy, Form 7), you must not grant a fresh tenancy without SACAT’s consent before the end of the period specified in Section 81(4). Separately, if you recover possession under Section 83A (fixed-term, prescribed grounds, Form 9) on one of the first five possession grounds — demolition, repairs or renovations, owner or family occupation, sale under contract, or sale after entering a sales agency agreement — you must not grant a fresh tenancy without SACAT’s consent before the end of the period specified in Section 91A. Both restrictions carry a 6-month period. Breaching either restriction is an offence.

Maximum Liability When a Tenant Breaks a Fixed-Term Lease

If a tenant terminates a fixed-term tenancy early, their liability for unpaid rent is capped under Section 75A. Where fewer than 24 months remain on the agreement, the tenant is liable for a maximum of one month’s rent. Where 24 months or more remain, the cap is one month’s rent for each remaining 12-month period, to a maximum of 6 months’ rent in total. You are still entitled to recover reasonable re-letting costs (such as advertising) on top of this cap. For full detail on early termination, see our Break Lease SA guide.

For full detail on all termination grounds, forms, notice periods, and the SACAT process, see our Eviction Notice SA guide. For early termination by agreement or tenant-initiated termination, see our Break Lease SA guide.

Resolving Disputes at SACAT

The South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) handles residential tenancy disputes. Either you or the tenant can apply to SACAT to resolve a dispute about any aspect of the tenancy — including bond, repairs, rent, entry, breach, or termination.

SACAT can make a range of orders, including orders for payment of compensation, orders requiring a party to carry out specific actions, termination orders, and orders for possession. From 15 January 2026, the ability to apply for an internal review of a SACAT order requiring payment has been restricted — a party cannot apply for review solely to delay making a required payment. Internal review is only available in exceptional circumstances.

Before applying to SACAT, CBS recommends attempting to resolve the dispute directly with the other party. CBS also provides a free conciliation service for some types of disputes.

Utility Charges

You must pay all statutory rates and charges — including council rates, sewerage charges, and the Emergency Services Levy. You cannot pass these on to the tenant (Section 73). Water, electricity, and gas are “prescribed services” under Section 73(6) — the tenant is responsible for usage on separately metered supplies, and rates and charges for prescribed services are otherwise divided as agreed or as separately metered. If the premises has an embedded electricity network, you must disclose this to the tenant, including retailer details and cost apportionment information (Section 48(1)(ea), Regulation 10).

If the tenant notifies you that excessive water usage charges were caused by a fault with the premises (such as a leaking pipe), you are liable for part of the excessive charges (Section 73B). You must also provide a copy of any utility invoice within 30 days of it being issued — if you fail to do so, the tenant is not required to pay the charges (Section 73(3)).

From 1 July 2024, you and the tenant can enter into an agreement regarding the costs and charges for the installation of a solar energy system on the premises (Section 73A).

Record Keeping and Documentation

You must keep a copy of the written tenancy agreement and any variation of the agreement for at least 2 years after the tenancy ends (Section 49). You must keep proper records of all payments received under the agreement (Section 57). Making a false entry in a payment record is an offence with a maximum penalty of $25,000.

Penalties

The 2024 reforms significantly increased penalties for most offences under the Act. Some examples of current maximum penalties include $35,000 for failing to lodge a bond with the Commissioner, $35,000 for charging rent collection fees, $25,000 for requiring excessive rent in advance, $25,000 for failing to keep proper payment records, and $35,000 for interfering with the tenant’s quiet enjoyment. Many offences also carry expiation fees ranging from $1,200 to $2,000.

These are not theoretical — CBS actively investigates and prosecutes non-compliance.

For the day-to-day workflow behind this overview, our SA rental bond guide, SA rent increase guide, and SA eviction notice guide guides are the next pages most landlords reach for. If a tenancy ends early, our SA break lease guide guide covers that side of the process as well.

Common Mistakes Landlords Make

Collecting Too Much Information From Applicants

With Form A1 now mandatory and strict limits on information collection, landlords who use their own application forms or request additional documents beyond what the Regulations permit are exposing themselves to complaints and potential penalties.

Entering Without Proper Notice

The most common entry mistake is failing to give notice in the correct form, or giving notice outside the permitted timeframes. Routine inspections require 7 to 28 days’ written notice — not a text message the day before. Using the prescribed Notice to Enter Premises form (under Section 72) ensures compliance.

Failing to Lodge the Bond on Time

You have 2 weeks to lodge the bond with the Commissioner (4 weeks if you are a registered agent). Late lodgement is an offence. Use CBS’s Residential Bonds Online system to lodge promptly.

Issuing a Termination Notice Without a Prescribed Ground

Since 1 July 2024, every termination notice must state a prescribed ground. Issuing a notice with no reason, or with a reason that doesn’t match the prescribed grounds, renders the notice invalid. You must also provide the approved written evidence where required.

Assuming WA, NSW, VIC, or QLD Rules Apply

SA has its own legislation, its own forms, its own terminology, and its own tribunal. “Bond Administrator” is WA. “Rental Bond Board” is NSW. “RTA” is QLD. “RTBA” is VIC. In SA, it’s the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs and the Residential Tenancies Fund. If you own properties across multiple states, don’t assume the rules are the same.

Related guides for SA landlords

If you are building out the full landlord workflow for this state, these guides connect this page to the rest of the tenancy process.

Same-state guides

• SA lease agreement guide
• SA rental bond guide
• SA eviction notice guide
• SA rent increase guide

Compare landlord rights guides in other states

• WA landlord rights guide
• NSW landlord rights guide
• QLD landlord rights guide
• VIC landlord rights guide

Frequently Asked Questions About Landlord Rights in SA

Can I refuse to rent to someone with children? No. Discrimination against tenants with children is an offence under the Residential Tenancies Act 1995. The maximum penalty was increased in March 2024 and is now substantial. You must assess all applicants on their merits using the criteria permitted by the Act and Regulations.

Can I refuse pets? Not automatically. Since 1 July 2024, you cannot blanket-refuse pets or advertise “no pets.” A tenant must apply using the prescribed form, and you must respond within 14 days. You can refuse only on the specific grounds set out in the Act, and you can impose reasonable conditions on approval. You cannot charge a pet bond.

How often can I inspect the property? A maximum of 4 times per year, unless SACAT orders otherwise. Each inspection requires 7 to 28 days’ written notice in the prescribed form, specifying a period of up to 2 hours within normal hours (8am–8pm, not Sundays or public holidays).

Can I increase the rent whenever I want? No. Rent can be increased a maximum of once every 12 months, with at least 60 days’ written notice. You cannot include a lease clause that provides for incremental increases within a 12-month period. If the tenant believes the increase is excessive, they can apply to SACAT.

What is the maximum bond I can charge? For weekly rent of $800 or less, the maximum bond is 4 weeks’ rent. For weekly rent over $800, the maximum is 6 weeks’ rent. You cannot charge more than one bond for the same agreement, and you cannot charge a separate pet bond.

Can I end a tenancy without a reason? No. Since 1 July 2024, no-grounds terminations have been abolished in SA. Every termination notice must state a prescribed ground, and for many grounds you must also provide written evidence approved by the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs.

What notice do I need to give to end a periodic tenancy? At least 90 days’ notice using Form 8, specifying a prescribed ground from Regulation 24. For possession-required grounds — demolition, repairs or renovations, owner or family occupation, sale under contract, or sale after entering a sales agency agreement — use Form 7 with at least 60 days’ notice under Section 81.

What notice do I need to give to not renew a fixed-term tenancy? At least 60 days before the end of the fixed term, using Form 9, specifying a prescribed ground from Regulation 25. If you don’t give notice, the agreement automatically continues as a periodic tenancy.

Can I lock a tenant out if they don’t pay rent? No. Self-help eviction is illegal in SA. You cannot change the locks, remove belongings, or disconnect utilities — regardless of how much rent is owed. The only lawful path to recover possession is through SACAT and, if necessary, a warrant for possession enforced by the Sheriff.

What happens if my tenant doesn’t leave after I give a valid termination notice? You apply to SACAT for a termination order and an order for possession. If the tenant still doesn’t leave after the order, you apply for a warrant for possession, which is enforced by the Sheriff.

Where do I lodge a bond? With the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs, through CBS’s Residential Bonds Online (RBO) system. You must lodge within 2 weeks of receiving the bond (4 weeks for registered agents). The tenant can also lodge the bond directly.

What is SACAT? The South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. It handles residential tenancy disputes including bond, repairs, rent, entry, breach, and termination matters. Either landlord or tenant can apply.