Discovering Australia

For the standard Residential Tenancy Agreements, the tenant will be responsible for getting electricity and/or gas in the new rental home. The tenant will therefore need to enter a contract with the utility retailer. Before you move in, meters should be read by the relevant authorities. In case utilities are included as part of the rent, the contract will be between the landlord and the utility retailer. If you have a question about your electricity, water and/or gas service, you should contact your landlord or the residential tenancy authority in your state or territory.

Helpful Hint: Beware of hidden extras such as a fee for connecting the electricity, gas or telephone.

State/ Territory

Tenancy Authority Phone number

Email

Queensland Residential Tenancy Authority NSW Fair Trading ACT Office of Fair Trading Consumer Affairs Victoria Office of Consumer and Business Affairs Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading Economic Regulation Authority of Western Australia Utilities Commission of the Northern Territory

1300 366 311

QLD

www.rta.qld.gov.au

13 3220

NSW

www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au

02 6207 3000 www.ors.act.gov.au/community/fair_trading

ACT

1300 558 181 www.consumer.vic.gov.au 08 8204 9777 www.ocba.sa.gov.au 1300 654 499 www.cbos.tas.gov.au/home

Victoria

SA

Tasmania

08 6557 7900 www.erawa.com.au

WA

08 8999 5480 www.utilicom.nt.gov.au

NT

Minor Repairs Tenants must take good care of the property, although the landlord is required to maintain it in a habitable condition and ensure that basic services such as water and sewerage are in order. If the landlord refuses to carry out urgent and necessary repairs within a reasonable period, you can arrange to have them done and send him the bill, although you mustn’t deduct the cost from the rent. Smoke Alarms In most states across Australia, landlords have the obligation to install smoke alarms in their properties in accordance with the Building Code of Australia. These devices are typically mounted on the ceilings and are installed to alert residents should there be a fire. If smoke is present in the home, the detector will sound a very loud alarm indicating that residents should evacuate immediately and call the fire department. Your Dwellworks consultant will help you determine the location of the smoke alarms in your home.

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Discovering Australia