NT residential tenancy laws
The Tenancy Unit within Consumer Affairs provides services to tenants and landlords/agent of residential properties in the Northern Territory.
The legislative responsibilities of tenants and landlords are outlined in the Residential Tenancies Act.
The landlord/tenant relationship is usually harmonious but difficulties do arise, and sometimes landlords and tenants have different ideas of their respective rights and responsibilities.
Tenancy - Water Charges
Landlords are allowed to pass on the full cost of water consumption provided:
• the rental premises are individually metered, and
• the tenancy agreement states the tenant must pay for water consumption.
However, a landlord cannot ask a tenant to pay for charges, levies, rates or taxes, other than a charge payable by the owner or occupier of the premises for electricity, gas or water supplied to the premises.
Applications
From 1 June 2015, applications in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act are heard by the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NTCAT). Applications are required to be lodged on a NTCAT form.
This form, as well as advice on NTCAT procedures and processes, can be found on the NTCAT website: www.ntcat.nt.gov.au