The relationship between renters and property owners has long been painted with stereotypes.
But in truth, most rental arrangements are built on shared goals: maintaining a safe, liveable home.
Still, cracks can form in the dynamic – from who’s responsible for a leaking ceiling, to service charges and late rental payments. To clear the air, we’ve unpacked six of the most common misconceptions about rentals, and how to navigate them.
#1. I didn’t break it… why should I have to fix it?
It’s easy to get confused about where ‘wear and tear’ stops, and ‘damage’ starts. In NSW, renters are expected to take reasonable care of the home, and to contact their property manager or landlord should a repair be required. On the flip side, property owners are responsible for ensuring that the home is safe and liveable.
As of March 2020, properties must meet minimum ‘fit for habitation’ standards – meaning that urgent repairs such as gas leaks, serious plumbing issues or broken locks must be attended to by the property owner or manager.
However, if damage occurs due to accidental actions (example, spilling something on the carpet, or hanging something without approval), typically the tenant is required to arrange and pay for the repair. If such a situation happens to you, turn to your rental agreement and communicate openly with your landlord as soon as it occurs, to prevent the event from escalating.
#2. I’m looking after a friend’s dog.
Attitudes toward pets in rentals are evolving, and property owners can only refuse a pet request for specific reasonable grounds, under new legislation from May 2025. However, pet ownership (and even temporary pet-sitting) should always be discussed with your landlord to avoid misunderstandings, and to find a solution that works for both parties.
Importantly, tenants who rely on assistance, therapy or service animals are protected under Australian law, which landlords must make accommodations to meet the needs of.
#3. Pest control, light bulbs, smoke alarms – who’s responsible?
When it comes to everyday maintenance, tenants are generally expected to handle the minor things – replacement of light bulbs, smoke alarm batteries, and managing minor pests that arise during the tenancy (if attracted by food or waste, for instance).
Property owners are responsible for ensuring the home is provided in a clean, safe condition, and for ensuring the essentials – plumbing, electrical and structural elements – are in working order.
#4. Can my landlord enter whenever they want?
Tenants have a legal right to privacy and quiet enjoyment, under NSW law. This means that entry is only permitted with appropriate notice or in specific circumstances, such as emergencies, urgent repairs or welfare concerns. For more on this, see here.
#5. Garden and outdoor responsibilities
Garden care can vary from one agreement to another, but typically, tenants are expected to keep the garden tidy – mowing, weeding and watering as needed. For property owners, the responsibility is usually for structural or large-scale maintenance such as pruning trees or cleaning gutters.
Should the garden require professional care, it’s worth discussing expectations at the start of the tenancy, to be included in the tenancy agreement.
#6. I only need to give two weeks’ notice, right?
Notice periods depend on your lease type. For fixed-term arrangements in NSW, tenants can usually provide 14 days’ notice before the end of lease – where for ongoing (periodic) agreements, at least 21 days’ notice is required.
More information about notice periods and when they apply can be found here, or by contacting your property manager.
Maintaining a great relationship with your tenant or landlord is crucial to handling all kinds of property issues – and this is where hiring a professional property manager can not only save you time and money, but reward you with peace of mind in situations that are more difficult to navigate.
Prudential Real Estate Macquarie Fields | (02) 9605 5333 | macquariefields@prudential.com.au
Prudential Real Estate Narellan | (02) 4624 4400 | narellan@prudential.com.au
