Confirm what arrangement you are creating
The label you use does not decide the legal relationship. Exclusive possession, owner control, services, number of rooms and local legislation may determine whether residential tenancy, boarding or lodging rules apply.
- Who controls access to the room?
- Which facilities are shared?
- Are meals, cleaning or linen supplied?
- Does the owner live at the property?
- Is more than one room being rented?
Check external permissions and impacts
- Review mortgage and insurance terms.
- Check strata or owners-corporation rules.
- Ask the council about planning, occupancy or registration where relevant.
- Understand tax consequences with a registered adviser.
- Check safety and rooming-accommodation requirements.
Design privacy and access boundaries
Identify the renter’s private area and how keys, locks, mail, guests and owner access will work. Sharing a home does not justify surveillance or unannounced entry into a space protected by the applicable agreement.
Set rent, utilities and household costs
State the rent frequency and what it includes. If utilities are shared, use a transparent method that is lawful for the arrangement and explain how bills will be evidenced. Do not add informal charges after move-in.
Put the arrangement in writing
- Correct agreement type and parties
- Rent, bond or security-deposit process
- Private and shared areas
- Utilities, internet and supplied services
- Condition and inventory record
- House expectations and change process
- Repairs, emergencies, notice and ending arrangements
Prepare for living together
Agree how concerns will be raised and reviewed. Keep landlord decisions separate from ordinary household negotiation, respond to repairs, respect boundaries and avoid retaliatory changes when a disagreement occurs.
Sources and further information
Official guidance changes. Check the source for the current rule in your jurisdiction.