How many times can my landlord inspect my rental property in Tasmania?
Your landlord can conduct a routine inspection of your rental property a maximum of once every three months in Tasmania. They may also conduct one initial inspection during the first month. They must always provide at least 24 hours' written notice before arriving.
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How it works in practice
Limits on Routine Inspections
In Tasmania, your right to quiet enjoyment of your rental home is protected by the Residential Tenancy Act 1997. This means your landlord or property manager cannot simply drop by whenever they please to check on the property.
By law, routine inspections are strictly limited. A landlord is permitted to conduct one initial inspection during the very first month of your lease. After that, they can only carry out routine inspections a maximum of once every three months.
Notice and Timing Requirements
Your landlord must strictly adhere to notice periods before arriving. They are legally required to provide you with at least 24 hours' written notice before conducting any routine inspection.
Furthermore, the inspection cannot occur at an unreasonable time. In Tasmania, inspections must take place between the hours of 8:00 am and 6:00 pm. You have the right to be present during the inspection, although it is not legally mandatory if you cannot attend.
Protecting Your Privacy
If your landlord attempts to inspect the property more frequently than every three months, or fails to provide the mandatory 24 hours' notice, they are breaching your tenancy rights. You are within your legal rights to refuse entry if these strict conditions are not met.
Important exceptions
There are specific situations where a landlord can enter your property more frequently or without the standard 24 hours' notice for a routine inspection.
If there is a genuine emergency, such as a burst water pipe or a fire, the landlord can enter immediately without any notice.
They may also enter if they reasonably suspect the property has been abandoned, or if they need to carry out urgent repairs.
Additionally, if the property is being sold or re-let, they can hold showings for prospective buyers or tenants, which requires 48 hours' written notice rather than the 24 hours used for routine checks.
What you should do now
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Keep a written record of all routine inspection dates to ensure they do not exceed the limit of once every three months.
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Check any inspection notice you receive to confirm it provides at least 24 hours' written notice and schedules the visit between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm.
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Reply to the landlord or agent in writing if the proposed time is unreasonable and request to reschedule for a mutually convenient time.
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Refuse entry at the door if the landlord arrives unannounced or fails to provide the legally required written notice.
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Contact the Tenants' Union of Tasmania or CBOS for formal advice and support if your landlord repeatedly breaches inspection rules.
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