Tenant rights and responsibilities
A ‘tenancy agreement’, or ‘lease’, is a legal contract which gives you certain rights and obligations. It is important that you read all the terms and conditions before signing a lease.
Before you consider renting a property, you should also be aware of the following things:
Budget
Renting on your own can be expensive, but there are other costs you’ll need to consider too:
- How much will it cost to move your things? (eg paying removalists)
- How much money will you have to pay in bond?
- How much rent will you need to pay? Rent is often charged fortnightly and students often pay somewhere around $200 (for a shared house or flat)- $550 (for a single bedroom unit) a week. For more information, visit Oz Studies cost of living).
- For amenities like internet, electricity, gas and water:
- What are the setup costs, and how long will setup take?
- How much will these amenities cost monthly?
- Do you need to pay for any maintenance?
Once you have calculated your costs, add them together and decide whether the property you are looking at is affordable. You can use Money Smart to get a sense of your budget.
If you fail to make rental payments, this can affect your ability to rent in the future.
Rights and responsibilities
The rights and obligations of tenants and landlords in New South Wales are set out in the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW) and the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2010 (NSW).
To help you understand these, Tenants NSW provides summaries and information. They also provide information regarding:
- starting a lease
- rent and bond
- repairs
- privacy
- share housing.
Finding accommodation
Macquarie University offers a range of different options. You may be interested in our new on-site accommodation, or prefer other options such as residential colleges, private accommodation or choosing a home-stay option.
Homelessness and Housing Concerns
If you are unsure where you will be sleeping, couch surfing at a friend's place, or if there are issues preventing you from being at home, there is a range of supports available:
- Call Link2Home, a 24/7 referral service to connect you to crisis and temporary housing. Phone: 1800 152 152
- You can access AskIzzy for a range of crisis shelters, hostels and places to live in response to recent stressors.
If you need support with this process, you can get in contact with a Welfare Officer who can direct you to local services, provide information and make referrals to supported accommodation. Call 9850 7497 to arrange an appointment.