How many times can my landlord inspect my rental property in the ACT?
In the ACT, your landlord can inspect your rental property a maximum of twice every 12 months. Additionally, they are allowed to conduct one initial inspection during the first month of your tenancy. They must provide at least seven days' written notice before arriving.
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How it works in practice
Understanding Routine Inspections
In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), tenant privacy and landlord property management rights are carefully balanced under residential tenancy laws. Routine inspections allow landlords or property managers to check for maintenance issues and ensure the property is being kept reasonably clean.
Legal Limits on Frequency
Your landlord is strictly limited to conducting routine inspections a maximum of twice per 12-month period. However, there is a specific allowance at the beginning of your lease. They can carry out one initial inspection within the first month of you moving into the rental property.
Notice Requirements
Before any routine inspection takes place, the landlord or real estate agent must provide you with at least seven days' written notice. This notice must clearly state the date and a reasonable timeframe for when the inspection will occur. You have the legal right to be present during the inspection to discuss any maintenance issues or concerns directly with the agent or landlord. Unannounced visits for routine checks are strictly prohibited and breach your right to quiet enjoyment of your home.
Important exceptions
While routine inspections are limited to twice a year, landlords have different access rights for other specific reasons.
For example, if you have requested maintenance, the landlord or tradespeople can enter to conduct non-urgent repairs with two days' written notice.
In genuine emergencies, such as a burst water pipe, gas leak, or severe storm damage, the landlord can enter the property immediately without any prior notice.
Additionally, if the landlord suspects on reasonable grounds that you have abandoned the property, they may enter to check the premises after providing appropriate written notice.
What you should do now
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Keep a written record of all inspection dates to ensure your landlord does not exceed the legal limit of twice a year.
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Check the written notice provided by your landlord to confirm they have given you the legally required seven days' warning.
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Request a change of time or date if the proposed inspection schedule is completely unreasonable or impossible for you to accommodate.
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Accompany the landlord or property manager during the inspection to document any maintenance requests or note their comments on the property's condition.
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Contact the Tenants' Union ACT or the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) if your landlord attempts to conduct unauthorized or excessive inspections.
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