Clear Standard & Confident Compliance.
At Coast & Co Property Management, we work closely with landlords to ensure every property meets the legal obligations set out in the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA). These responsibilities are designed to protect tenants, maintain property standards, and support ethical and reputation-driven management.
Landlords must:
o Provide a safe and habitable property at the start and throughout the tenancy
o Ensure all fixtures, fittings, and appliances are in reasonable working order
o Maintain the premises in a condition that complies with health and safety standards
o Install and maintain compliant smoke alarms in accordance with the Development Act 1993 and Australian Standard AS 3786
o Respect tenant privacy, including providing proper notice before entry
o Lodge and manage the bond through Consumer and Business Services (CBS)
o Respond to urgent repairs promptly, and manage non-urgent repairs within a reasonable timeframe
o Provide a written tenancy agreement outlining rights, responsibilities, and terms of occupancy
o Keep records of rent payments and communication, and issue receipts when required
At Coast & Co Property Management, we expect our landlords to not only meet these obligations but to uphold best practice in communication, compliance and care.
Insurance Expectations
At Coast & Co Property Management, it is standard practice that all landlords hold an up-to-date building insurance policy to protect their investment and meet their duty of care under the Residential Tenancies Act 1995. While not legally mandated, it is a company policy as building insurance plays a critical role in covering structural damage caused by fire, storm, flood or other unforeseen events.
We also strongly recommend that landlords take out a dedicated landlord insurance policy. This provides additional protection against any tenant related risks such as loss of rent, accidental or malicious damage, legal liability and the costs associated with tenancy disputes.
Our team is happy to guide you through insurance expectations and connect you with reputable providers to ensure your property remains protected, compliant, and stress-free.
While landlords are responsible for the above insurance policies, the tenants are responsible for insuring their own belongings. This includes furniture, electronics, clothing and valuables.
As a part of the Residential Tenancy Agreement, we at Coast & Co Property Management strongly recommend that tenants take out contents insurance to protect against theft, fire, water damage or other unexpected events. We advise them that the Landlords insurance does not cover tenant possessions. This still occurs in the event of accidental damage or natural disaster.
Smoke Alarms
At Coast & Co Property Management, we hold a firm expectation that all landlords meet and ideally exceed their legal obligations regarding smoke alarms. Under South Australian law, landlords are responsible for ensuring that compliant smoke alarms are correctly installed, maintained, and fully operational in all rental properties. These requirements are not only a legal necessity but a vital safeguard to protect tenants and minimise the risk of injury or death in the event of a fire. Upholding these standards reflects our agency’s commitment to ethical practice, safety, and reputation-driven property care.
What Landlords Must Do:
o Install compliant smoke alarms in accordance with the Development Act 1993 and AS 3786
o Ensure alarms are operational at the start of each tenancy and throughout the lease period
o Maintain and test alarms regularly, including cleaning and battery replacement where applicable
o Install alarms in appropriate locations, including:
- On each storey of the property
- Between sleeping areas and the remainder of the home
- In hallways or near bedrooms to ensure early warning during sleep
Type of Smoke Alarm Required
Built after 1 Jan 1995 - 240V mains-powered alarm with backup battery
Purchased after 1 Feb 1998 - Must install within 6 months: either mains-powered or 10-year life battery alarm
Built before 1995 - Replaceable battery alarm required (minimum standard)
For new builds, extensions, or additions approved after 1 May 2014, smoke alarms must be interconnected. This means that if one alarm activates, all alarms in the property will sound
Failure to comply may result in fines of up to $750, and more importantly, may place tenants at serious risk.
For further information regarding your requirements, please visit
https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/housing/keeping-your-property-safe/smoke-alarms
To take the stress and guesswork out of smoke alarm compliance, Coast & Co partners with trusted service providers who ensure your property meets all legal requirements, always.
For details on our recommended smoke alarm specialists, please speak with our friendly team. We're here to help you stay safe, compliant, and confident.
Ending a Tenancy in South Australia
From 1 July 2024, changes to the South Australian Residential Tenancies Act 1995 introduced new requirements for ending both periodic and fixed term tenancies. These reforms aim to balance tenant protections with landlord rights and to ensure there is transparency across all termination processes.
Ending a Periodic Tenancy
Tenants may end a periodic agreement by providing 21 days written notice.
Landlords may end a periodic tenancy by giving 60 days written notice, but only on prescribed grounds, including:
If a tenant receives a 60 day termination notice on one of these grounds, they may vacate earlier by giving 7 days written notice, without further rent responsibilities.
Landlords may also issue 90 days written notice for serious breaches, including:
Ending a Fixed Term Tenancy
During a fixed term, neither party can terminate the agreement early without mutual consent. If early termination occurs, the responsible party may be liable for costs associated with re-letting the property.
Tenants may end a fixed term agreement at its conclusion by giving at least 28 days written notice.
Landlords may end a fixed term agreement at its conclusion by giving at least 60 days written notice, on grounds such as:
If no termination notice is issued by either party with the minimum required 60 days notice, the agreement will automatically continue as a periodic tenancy past the end of the fixed term end date.
Where a tenant fails to vacate following a valid termination notice, landlords may apply to the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) for possession orders.
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