Can my landlord bring people through my home to sell it while I am still living there in the NT?
Yes, your landlord can show your home to potential buyers while you live there in the Northern Territory. However, they must provide at least 24 hours' written notice before each viewing. Inspections must take place at reasonable times, typically between 7:00 am and 9:00 pm.
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How it works in practice
The Right to Sell During a Tenancy
Your landlord has the legal right to sell their property at any time, even if you are currently living there on a fixed-term or periodic lease. This means they are allowed to bring potential buyers through your home to view the premises.
Notice and Timing Requirements
In the Northern Territory, your landlord or real estate agent cannot simply show up unannounced with a buyer. By law, they must provide you with at least 24 hours' written notice before each individual viewing takes place.
Furthermore, these inspections must be conducted at a reasonable time. Under NT tenancy laws, access for property showings is generally restricted to between 7:00 am and 9:00 pm. You have the right to be present during these viewings to protect your belongings and ensure your privacy is respected.
Balancing Your Right to Quiet Enjoyment
While the landlord can show the property, they must not unreasonably interfere with your peace, comfort, or privacy. If your real estate agent is scheduling daily viewings or holding open houses that severely disrupt your life, you can attempt to negotiate a mutually agreeable schedule, such as two specific viewing times per week.
Important exceptions
While the landlord has the right to conduct viewings, there are clear limits. You can legally refuse entry if the landlord or agent provides less than the mandatory 24 hours' written notice.
Additionally, you are not legally obligated to agree to "open house" inspections where the general public walks through your home unvetted. You can insist on private, appointment-only viewings for serious buyers to protect your security.
If the landlord's requests for access become excessive or severely disrupt your daily life, you can formally refuse further access and apply to the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NTCAT) for an order limiting viewings.
What you should do now
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Request a clear, written schedule of proposed viewings from your landlord or real estate agent.
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Check every entry notice to ensure you have been given at least 24 hours' warning.
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Negotiate mutually convenient viewing times to minimize disruption to your personal life and routine.
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Secure any valuables, sensitive documents, or fragile items before strangers enter your home.
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Contact NT Consumer Affairs or apply to the tribunal (NTCAT) if viewings become excessive or unreasonable.
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