Residential Tenancy Law (NT)

The Northern Territory made significant changes to its residential tenancy laws during 2024. The changes included greater protections for tenants experiencing domestic violence, changes to the notice periods that apply when a lease is terminated, and new laws around renting with a pet. This page provides an overview of NT residential tenancy law as it currently stands.

Legislation

Most residential tenancy agreements in the Northern Territory are governed by the Residential Tenancies Act 1999 and the Residential Tenancies Regulations.

Disputes about tenancies in the NT are heard by the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NTCAT). Consumer Affairs also assists with providing information and resolving some disputes.

Fixed-term vs periodic

Different laws apply in respect of fixed-term tenancies and periodic (month-to-month) tenancies. If a fixed-term tenancy is not terminated or renewed at the end of the fixed term, it becomes a periodic tenancy.

Rent

A tenant is responsible for paying the rent on time and in the manner specified in the residential tenancy agreement. A landlord must not require a tenant to pay more than one month’s rent in advance.

If the tenant is at least 14 days in arrears of paying rent, the landlord can give the tenant seven days to pay the overdue rent. If the tenant does not pay, the landlord can apply to have the residential tenancy agreement terminated.

Landlords must advertise premises for rental at a fixed rate. A landlord must not accept a higher amount of rent than the advertised rent (rent bidding).

Rent may be increased only if:

• the rental agreement specifies that the rental rate may be increased
• the rental agreement specifies the amount of a rent increase or a method for calculating it
• at least 30 days’ notice is provided to the tenant.

Rent may only be increased once in a six-month period.

Repairs and maintenance

A landlord has obligations to ensure that premises are habitable, clean, secure, and meet all health and safety requirements. If a rental property is in need of repairs and the damage is not the tenant’s fault, the tenant can give the landlord notice that repairs are required. If repairs are not done within seven days, the tenant may carry out the repairs themselves and require reimbursement.

The tenant is responsible for ensuring that the premises are kept clean and undamaged. If a rental property is returned unclean or with damage caused by the tenant, the landlord may retain part of the security bond to cover the cost or repairs or cleaning.  If the tenant disputes that this is necessary, they may apply to the NTCAT for the full return of the bond.

Pets

Tenants in the NT are allowed to keep pets in rental premises, but must notify the landlord that they are proposing to keep a pet.

When a landlord is notified of a proposal to keep a pet, they may approve the pet or make an objection. If an objection is made, the NTCAT will conduct a hearing to assess whether the objection is reasonable.

If a landlord does not respond after being notified that their tenant is proposing to keep a pet, they are taken to have consented.

Termination by landlord

A landlord may terminate a tenancy if:

• it is a periodic tenancy, and they provide at least 60 days’ notice.
• it is a fixed-term tenancy, and they end it on the day the fixed term ends and after giving at least 60 days’ notice.
• the premises have become unsafe or uninhabitable, after giving two days’ notice.
• a drug premises order has been made, after giving 14 days’ notice.
• the tenant is in breach of the tenancy agreement, with an order by the Tribunal.

Termination by tenant

A tenant can terminate a residential tenancy if:

• it is a periodic tenancy, and they provide at least 14 days’ notice.
• it is a fixed-term tenancy, and they end it on the day the fixed term ends and after giving at least 14 days’ notice.
• the premises have become unsafe or uninhabitable, after giving two days’ notice
• they are experiencing domestic violence.
• the landlord is in breach of the tenancy agreement, with an order by the Tribunal.

If you require legal advice or representation in any legal matter, please contact Go To Court Lawyers.