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Understanding Your Tenancy Agreement

A tenancy agreement is the set of rules for living in your home. It explains what you can do, what you need to do, and what your landlord must do.

Tenancy agreement =

  • ✔ A contract
  • ✔ A set of rules
  • ✔ Your rights and responsibilities
  • ✔ Your landlord’s responsibilities

Your tenancy agreement explains:

  • your rights (what you are allowed to do)
  • your responsibilities (what you need to do)
  • your landlord’s rights and responsibilities

👉 Both you and your landlord must follow it

Your tenancy agreement explains:

  • your rights (what you are allowed to do)
  • your responsibilities (what you need to do)
  • your landlord’s rights and responsibilities

👉 Both you and your landlord must follow it

You have rights even if they are not written down.

For example:

  • You have the right to live in your home
  • You have the right to be treated fairly

👉 The law gives you these rights automatically

⚠️ Important to know

  • Your agreement cannot take away your legal rights
  • If something in the agreement is unfair or against the law, it does not count

👉 The law always comes first

You have rights even if they are not written down.

For example:

  • You have the right to live in your home
  • You have the right to be treated fairly

👉 The law gives you these rights automatically

⚠️ Important to know

  • Your agreement cannot take away your legal rights
  • If something in the agreement is unfair or against the law, it does not count

👉 The law always comes first

Your tenancy agreement may include:

  • How much rent you pay
  • When you need to pay it
  • Rules about the home (for example pets or smoking)
  • What you and your landlord are responsible for

👉 These are the main “terms” (rules) of living there

Your tenancy agreement may include:

  • How much rent you pay
  • When you need to pay it
  • Rules about the home (for example pets or smoking)
  • What you and your landlord are responsible for

👉 These are the main “terms” (rules) of living there

You (the tenant):

  • Pay your rent
  • Look after the property
  • Follow the rules in your agreement

Your landlord:

  • Lets you live in the property
  • Must follow housing laws
  • Usually responsible for major repairs

👉 You both have responsibilities to each other

You (the tenant):

  • Pay your rent
  • Look after the property
  • Follow the rules in your agreement

Your landlord:

  • Lets you live in the property
  • Must follow housing laws
  • Usually responsible for major repairs

👉 You both have responsibilities to each other

  • ✅ Read the agreement carefully
  • ✅ Ask questions if you don’t understand
  • ✅ Check what you have to pay and when
  • ✅ Make sure you understand the rules

👉 It’s okay to ask someone to help you read it.

Know your rights

  • You should understand your tenancy or agreement
  • You should have choice and control over your home
  • ✅ Read the agreement carefully
  • ✅ Ask questions if you don’t understand
  • ✅ Check what you have to pay and when
  • ✅ Make sure you understand the rules

👉 It’s okay to ask someone to help you read it.

Know your rights

  • You should understand your tenancy or agreement
  • You should have choice and control over your home