NT Tenancy Info

Renting in Northern Territory

The Tenancy Unit within Consumer and Business Affairs is responsible for the day to day administration of tenancy legislation applicable in the Northern Territory .

Services provided include, advice to landlords and tenants on their respective rights and responsibilities and a comprehensive dispute resolution service.

In addition the unit also engages in a variety of educational activities for the real estate industry, tenants and landlords.

The Tenancy Unit currently administers the Residential Tenancies Act, the Tenancy Act and the Business Tenancies (Fair Dealings) Act.

When you enter into a tenancy agreement (including oral agreements) you are entering into a legally binding relationship. Tenants and lessors should think carefully before entering into a tenancy agreement as once the agreement is made it is too late to change your mind.

When a lessor grants a tenant a right to occupy a property to use as a residential property, both parties have entered into a residential tenancy agreement. A residential tenancy agreement can be written or oral or a combination of both.

However, it is advisable that all tenancy agreements be in writing to avoid any confusion that may arise as it is very hard to prove what information was included as part of an oral agreement.

The Residential Tenancies Act has standard terms and conditions that apply to all tenancy agreements. These are set out in the Schedule to the Act. All written and oral tenancy agreements must include these terms and conditions.

Most residential tenancy agreements in the Northern Territory are covered under the Residential Tenancies Act.

The handbook titled Tenants and Landlords: A Guide to Renting in the Northern Territory provides a comprehensive guide to the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants and is cross-referenced to the relevant parts of the Act.

The Department of Justice Tenancy Unit is also available to assist tenants and landlords with information regarding residential tenancies.

The Tenancy Unit also provides a comprehensive dispute resolution service. The Act gives the Commissioner of Tenancies the necessary powers to resolve any dispute that may arise between the parties to a tenancy agreement and outlines the processes to be followed.

In most instances the Tenancy Unit will attempt to resolve the issue through a process of conciliation. Where this is unsuccessful, a formal Inquiry is conducted where both parties to the dispute are required to attend a hearing before the Commissioner.

Disputes may be lodged by either party, and must be in writing. A form and information to assist persons wishing to lodge a dispute is available.

Can't find the information you're looking for? Call the Consumer and Business Affairs centre on 1800 019 319, or visit their web site on http://www.caba.nt.gov.au.