There are additional statements that landlords need to attach to all new tenancy agreements. Landlords need to sign these statements as well as the tenancy agreement.

On this page:

Insurance statement

Since 27 August 2019, landlords must provide insurance information in any new tenancy agreement, including whether or not the property is insured, and the excess amount of any policies relevant to the tenant’s liability for destruction or damage.

If the rental property is part of a body corporate, landlords will need to include insurance information that is relevant to the tenant’s liability for damage of both the rental property itself, and the shared facilities.

Landlords will also need to include a statement informing tenants that a copy of each insurance policy for the property is available on request, unless copies have already been provided.

They also have to tell tenants if this information changes within a reasonable time.

Insurance statement template [PDF, 811 KB]

Insulation statement

Since 1 July 2016, landlords have needed to provide an insulation statement in all new tenancy agreements. If you are renewing an existing tenancy agreement it’s a good idea to include the insulation statement.

Since 1 July 2019, all rental properties must have ceiling and underfloor insulation where it is reasonably practicable to install.

Current insulation regulations

This statement must include:

  • whether there is insulation in the rental home
  • where it is in the walls, ceiling and underfloor
  • what type of insulation it is
  • what condition the insulation is in.

Landlords can use our insulation statement template. This will meet all the requirements for insulation disclosure under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986. Landlords can also attach an assessment from a professional to the tenancy agreement. This will only count as an insulation statement if:

  • it includes all required information
  • it is signed by the landlord.

Otherwise, the landlord can use the information from the professional assessment to complete the insulation statement.

The insulation statement must include all of the required information for insulation that is in the walls, ceiling and underfloor space of the rental.

Where a landlord cannot find the required information for a specific insulation (for example, the walls) they must include the following information in their insulation statement:

  • describe the information that the landlord cannot find
  • explain why the landlord has not been able to find the information
  • confirm that the landlord has made all reasonable efforts to find the information.
  • Landlords could be liable for a penalty of up to $500 if they don’t include a complete insulation statement, or if they include anything they know to be false or misleading.

Insulation statement template [PDF, 851 KB]

Healthy homes standards – 'intent to comply' statement required from 1 July 2019

From 1 July 2019, landlords must include a statement in new, renewed or varied* tenancy agreements that confirms:

  • that on and after the commencement of the tenancy, the landlord will comply with the healthy homes standards as required by either section 45(1)(bb) – Residential Tenancies, or section 66I(1)(bb) – Boarding House Tenancies, of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, or
  • that the landlord already complies with the healthy homes standards as required by either section 45(1)(bb) – Residential Tenancies, or section 66I(1)(bb) – Boarding House Tenancies, of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.

Download the relevant healthy homes statement template to make sure you’re using the correct wording.

Healthy homes standards statement – residential tenancies [PDF, 799 KB]
Healthy homes standards statement – boarding house tenancies [PDF, 800 KB]

This statement is also included in our residential tenancy agreement template and our boarding house tenancy agreement template. It can be combined with the insulation statement and provided with one signature.

Healthy homes standards – compliance statement required from 1 December 2020

From 1 December 2020, most new or renewed tenancy agreements must also include specific information about the landlord’s current level of compliance with the healthy homes standards.

Use our online tool to find out if you need to include the healthy homes compliance statement in your new or renewed tenancy.

Download the healthy homes standards compliance statement template [PDF, 195 KB]

Find out more about the healthy homes compliance statement

What is a ‘variation’ to a tenancy agreement?

A variation is a change to the tenancy agreement that both parties agree to. This change must be in writing and signed by both the landlord and tenant(s) and state what date it takes effect from. It can be written in the tenancy agreement or on a separate document that is then attached to the tenancy agreement. The landlord must give the tenant(s) a copy of this written variation. A rent increase notice does not require a written variation or tenant signature, as this can be issued without the tenant’s prior agreement (as long as the notice complies with all legal requirements). In some situations, the tenant and landlord may agree to increase the rent due to changes that benefit the tenant, for example, substantial improvements to the premises. In these cases, the increase in rent would be a variation and must meet the above requirements.

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