Landlord rules in Australian Capital Territory
What the law asks of a self-managing landlord in Australian Capital Territory — the notice periods, the caps and the deadlines, each one linked to the official Access Canberra page it came from.
A routine inspection needs at least 7 days' written notice before you enter.
Official sourceOne increase per 12 months at most, with 8 weeks' written notice before the new rent starts.
Official sourcelessor must install and maintain compliant alarms (tenant replaces the battery)
Official sourceThese are the live figures LandlordMate counts from — the same rule set the app uses to date a notice, not a marketing copy of it. 9 obligations are tracked in ACT, each one linked to its Access Canberra page. General information, not legal advice.
Who governs renting in ACT
Australian Capital Territory is managed by Access Canberra under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (ACT). Rules verified against the regulator. General information — not legal advice. Read the full disclaimer.
The questions worth their own page
Three of these differ enough between states to be worth reading in full for ACT.
The nine questions ACT landlords ask
How much notice do I need to give for a routine inspection?
Routine inspection — 1 week's written notice; maximum twice per 12 months. You can generate the Entry notice (1 week) from the Compliance screen when the tenancy is eligible.
Statutory basis: RTA 1997 (ACT) Sch 1 cll 79(1), 77
Source: Routine inspection
How often can I increase the rent, and how much notice do I give?
Rent increase — once every 12 months; 8 weeks' notice; capped at 110% of the Canberra CPI rents subgroup. You can generate the Rent increase notice (8 weeks) from the Compliance screen when the tenancy is eligible.
Statutory basis: RTA 1997 (ACT) s 64AAA(1); Sch 1 cl 38(1); RT Regulation 1998 (ACT) s 5A
Source: Rent increase
How far behind does the rent have to be before I can issue a breach notice?
Rent arrears — once rent has been unpaid a week, a Notice to Remedy (7 days to pay) can be served; if it isn't paid, a Notice to Vacate (2 weeks). You can generate the Notice to remedy, then Notice to vacate from the Compliance screen when the tenancy is eligible.
Statutory basis: RTA 1997 (ACT) Sch 1 cl 92(a),(b)(i)
Source: Rent arrears
How much bond can I take, and how is it lodged?
Bond — max 4 weeks' rent; held by the Office of Rental Bonds (ACT Revenue Office). You can generate the Office of Rental Bonds (ACT Revenue) from the Compliance screen when the tenancy is eligible.
Statutory basis: RTA 1997 (ACT) s 20
Source: Bond
What are my smoke alarm obligations?
Smoke alarms — lessor must install and maintain compliant alarms (tenant replaces the battery). You can generate the Smoke alarm check from the Compliance screen when the tenancy is eligible.
Source: Smoke alarms
What minimum standards does the property have to meet?
Minimum standards — prescribed minimum housing standards; ceiling insulation of at least R5 (from 1 Apr 2023).
Source: Minimum standards
How do I end a tenancy at the end of the fixed term?
Ending a tenancy — no-cause evictions abolished; prescribed ground + evidence required (move-in/sale = 8 weeks; renovation = 12 weeks; other use = 26 weeks). You can generate the Notice to vacate (prescribed ground) from the Compliance screen when the tenancy is eligible.
Statutory basis: RTA 1997 (ACT) Sch 1 cl 96(1)
Source: Ending a tenancy
What counts as an urgent repair, and what must I do about it?
Urgent repairs — tenant may arrange urgent repairs up to 5% of the annual rent and recover the cost.
Source: Urgent repairs
Can I refuse a tenant's pet request?
In Australian Capital Territory, respond to a written pet request within 14 days. To refuse you must apply to ACAT; if you don't respond within 14 days consent is taken to be given. No separate pet bond is allowed. Decisions the tenant disputes are heard by ACAT. Use the app's pet annexure + decision letter to record it properly.
What's changed recently in ACT
Source: act.gov.au
How LandlordMate handles it
How does my tenant pay rent?
Rent lives on the Rent page — see who's paid and record payments. Your tenant pays your bank account directly (transfer or PayID, quoting your payment reference); LandlordMate never touches the money, it just keeps the record.
Source: How-to · Rent
How do I screen an applicant?
Applicants and their checks live on Screening — compare them, run the background check, and send a good prospect an application link.
Source: How-to · Screening
How do I advertise a vacancy?
Open the property and turn on the listing bridge — you get a public link and a private enquiries inbox. Post the link to Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, Flatmates or Rent.com.au (the big portals only take listings from licensed agents). Your contact details stay private.
Source: How-to · Open a property
How do I get my EOFY pack for my accountant?
Reports has your monthly owner statement and EOFY pack — export CSV or OFX (imports into Xero, MYOB & QuickBooks) or email the pack to your accountant.
Source: How-to · Reports
Other states and territories
The rules differ in every one — a notice period that is right in ACT is wrong two borders over. Queensland · New South Wales · Victoria · South Australia · Western Australia · Tasmania · Northern Territory