Renters' rights in Adelaide — know your rights as a tenant
What South Australian tenancy law guarantees you, and where to go when things go wrong.
State tenancy authority
Consumer and Business Services (CBS) SA
Key tenants' rights in Adelaide
- Your bond must be lodged with Consumer and Business Services — not held by the landlord.
- Landlords and agents must give written notice before entering (generally 24–48 hours in SA).
- Urgent repairs must be addressed without unreasonable delay; non-urgent repairs in a reasonable time.
- You cannot be evicted as retaliation for asserting your rights or making a complaint.
- You have a right to privacy in your home — inspections are limited in frequency.
- You have a right to quiet enjoyment — the landlord cannot interfere with your peaceful use of the property.
Bond in Adelaide
The maximum bond a landlord can require in South Australia is 4 weeks' rent (for rentals up to the prescribed weekly threshold). Bonds must be lodged with Consumer and Business Services — never paid into a landlord's personal account.
Dispute with your landlord
If you can't resolve a dispute directly, applications go to the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT). SACAT hears tenancy disputes including bond claims, repairs, breach notices and termination orders.