What the act means for tenants.
Tenancy act nsw carpet cleaning.
The changes to the residential tenancies act 2010 and the new residential tenancies regulation 2019 deliver important protections for tenants and landlords.
Who the act covers.
Steam cleaning the carpet in a rental property can cost hundreds of dollars but it s not an expense that a tenant should always have to pay.
With more than 30 percent of the nsw population now renting the changes are timely and critical as demand for quality rental properties continues to grow.
A tenant only has to leave the premises in a reasonably clean and tidy condition.
Some landlords charge a carpet cleaning fee and include that in their lease agreement.
On 17 october 2018 the nsw parliament passed the residential tenancies amendment review act 2018 the amendment act which introduced a range of reforms and improvements to the act.
Others require tenants to clean the carpets before vacating.
The reasonable cost of cleaning any part of the property not left reasonably clean considering how clean the property was at the start of the tenancy and the reasonable cost of having the locks changed or other security devices replaced if the tenant doesn t return all keys and security devices they were given.
Tenants must replace stove elements fuses and tap washers as they wear out.
Carpets must be professionally cleaned at the end of the tenancy.
The act gives the nsw civil and administrative tribunal ncat power to hear and settle disputes about residential tenancies including bond disputes.
In nsw the residential tenancies act 2010 no 42 section 19 prohibited terms 2 clearly states that including terms that the tenant must have the carpet professionally cleaned or pay the cost of such cleaning at the end of the tenancy must not be included in a residential tenancy agreement.
When tenants leave a rental property they often believe or are told they must steam clean the carpets when they vacate.
Under the terms of the standard residential tenancy agreement your lease you agree to.
Tenants do not have to leave the carpets in a professionally cleaned state.
Most agree that landlords are responsible for a standard carpet cleaning.
They consider that normal wear and tear.
However in nsw this is not actually the case.
The act and the regulations set out a standard residential tenancy agreement that gives rights and obligations to landlords and tenants.
The amendment act implements the majority of the recommendations of the statutory review and other reforms aimed at improving the renting experience.
Most residential tenancies in nsw are covered by the residential tenancies act 2010 the act.