Rules Implied by Law

The Residential Tenancies Act imposes the basic rules that you as a tenant must follow. The Act incorporates the basic rules into your agreement or lease, even if they are not specifically included by you. The basic rules set a minimum standard of conduct. It is possible for you to agree to do more than the minimum that is required by the rules, but you cannot agree to do less than the Act requires. These rules are as follows:

• To pay rent when it is due.
• Not to interfere significantly with the rights of the landlord or other tenants.
• Not to carry on an illegal business or do anything illegal at the rented property.
• Not to do anything at the rented property that would put anyone in danger.
• Not to do significant damage at the property or allow anyone else to.
• To keep the property in a reasonable, clean condition.
• To leave the property when the rental period is over or when the tenancy is ended.
• To give the required notice period to end a periodic tenancy.
• To give appropriate notice for any court application.
• To respond to notices given by the landlord within the given time limits.

May 2005