A share home is where a number of people live together in a property.

They can do this as:

• Co-tenancies: all occupants of the home are named on the agreement as tenants
• Sub-letting: one or more occupants (known as the Head tenant) are named on the agreement and they then establish a sub-tenancy agreement with other occupants. It is recommended that this is in writing.
• Boarders and lodgers: these may be outside rooming accommodation regulations depending on circumstances. For example, a person renting a rooming from a person who lives on the premises themselves and rents out less than 4 rooms is not covered by the requirements in the Act. Contact us for more information if needed. 

Fast facts

• The lessor/agent’s permission must be sought for all people living at the property, even if they are sub-letting.
• It is also a good idea to include in the agreement arrangements for sharing other bills such as gas, electricity or internet.
• All rental bonds must be lodged with the RTA using the Bond lodgement form (Form 2), even when sub-letting, and all people contributing to the bond must be listed and how much money each has paid.
• Anyone paying a bond must be given a receipt by the lessor/agent or the head tenant.
• Failure to comply with these requirements is an offence.
• In a sub-tenancy agreement, the head tenant becomes the lessor and the sub-tenant is the tenant. The head tenant is then subject to the regulations that affect lessors.
• The length of the sub-tenancy agreement must not exceed the tenancy agreement for the property.
• The lessor/agent must be informed of anyone living in the property, or any change to the people living there.
• Before leaving a share home, tenants should pay their share of any costs for cleaning, damage or unpaid rent. Co-tenants should ensure their name is taken off the tenancy agreement and the rental bond.

Change of tenants

If a bond has been paid and a tenant moves out but transfers the bond to a new tenant, they must complete a Change of shared bond arrangement (Form 6), and lodge it with the RTA. This can only be done if at least one of the original co-tenants is still in the property. If all the tenants move out they need to complete a Refund of rental bond (Form 4).