Landlord rules in South Australia
What the law asks of a self-managing landlord in South Australia — the notice periods, the caps and the deadlines, each one linked to the official Consumer and Business Services (SA) page it came from.
A routine inspection needs written notice between 7 and 28 days before you enter — too early is as invalid as too late in SA.
Official sourceOne increase per 12 months at most, with 60 days' written notice before the new rent starts.
Official sourcea compliant, working smoke alarm must be installed and maintained
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 SA, each one linked to its Consumer and Business Services (SA) page. General information, not legal advice.
Who governs renting in SA
South Australia is managed by Consumer and Business Services (SA) under the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA). 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 SA.
The nine questions SA landlords ask
How much notice do I need to give for a routine inspection?
Routine inspection — 7 to 28 days' written notice; maximum 4 per year. You can generate the Entry notice (7–28 days) from the Compliance screen when the tenancy is eligible.
Statutory basis: RTA 1995 (SA) s 72(1)(c)
Source: Routine inspection
How often can I increase the rent, and how much notice do I give?
Rent increase — once in any 12-month period (2024 reform); at least 60 days' written notice. You can generate the Notice of rent increase (60 days) from the Compliance screen when the tenancy is eligible.
Statutory basis: RTA 1995 (SA) s 55(2)(c)
Source: Rent increase
How far behind does the rent have to be before I can issue a breach notice?
Rent arrears — a Form 5 breach notice is ineffectual unless the rent has been unpaid for not less than 14 days before it is given; the notice must allow at least 7 days to remedy. You can generate the Form 5 breach (7 days to remedy) from the Compliance screen when the tenancy is eligible.
Statutory basis: RTA 1995 (SA) s 80(2)(a), (1)(b); Residential Tenancies Regulations 2025 (SA) reg 22(2)
Source: Rent arrears
How much bond can I take, and how is it lodged?
Bond — 4 weeks' rent (rent $800/wk or less) or up to 6 weeks (over $800); lodge via Residential Bonds Online.
Statutory basis: RTA 1995 (SA) s 61(3)
Source: Bond
What are my smoke alarm obligations?
Smoke alarms — a compliant, working smoke alarm must be installed and maintained. 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 housing standards — must be met before occupation (Housing Improvement Act; from 1 Jul 2024).
Source: Minimum housing standards
How do I end a tenancy at the end of the fixed term?
Ending a tenancy — no-grounds terminations abolished (1 Jul 2024); a prescribed ground + evidence required (periodic: 90 days; end of a fixed term: 60 days). You can generate the Notice of termination (prescribed ground) from the Compliance screen when the tenancy is eligible.
Statutory basis: RTA 1995 (SA) ss 83, 83A(2)
Source: Ending a tenancy
What counts as an urgent repair, and what must I do about it?
Urgent repairs — tenant may arrange via a licensed person and recover the reasonable cost (no fixed dollar cap).
Source: Urgent repairs
Can I refuse a tenant's pet request?
In South Australia, respond to a written pet request within 14 days. You may only refuse on prescribed grounds, and 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 SACAT. Use the app's pet annexure + decision letter to record it properly.
Source: South Australia — pet rules
What's changed recently in SA
Source: cbs.sa.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 SA is wrong two borders over. Queensland · New South Wales · Victoria · Western Australia · Tasmania · Australian Capital Territory · Northern Territory