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About the Residential Tenancies Tribunal

On this page you will find information about:

What is the Residential Tenancies Tribunal?
Residential Tenancies Tribunal hearings
What to bring to a Residential Tenancies Tribunal hearing
Disagreeing with a Residential Tenancies Tribunal decision

What is the Residential Tenancies Tribunal?

The Residential Tenancies Tribunal is an independent judicial body that has authority to make legally binding decisions in disputes between landlords and tenants.

A Tribunal hearing can be requested by a tenant, landlord or rooming house resident or proprietor by lodging an application to the Residential Tenancies Tribunal (PDF 44KB). Lodge your application along with copies of any supportive evidence. For an alternative version of these documents contact Consumer and Business Services (CBS) tenancies branch.

Other people who are affected by a tenant's behaviour - eg neighbour, can also request a hearing by completing an application to the Residential Tenancies Tribunal for unacceptable conduct(PDF 109KB). For an alternative version of this document contact CBS tenancies branch.

The $36 application fee can be paid either in cash, by cheque or through a one-off direct debit payment (PDF 22KB).

You may be able to lodge an application for exemption (PDF 38KB) from the application fee if you:

are a full time student, or
have a concession card - eg Centrelink health care card.

For an alternative version of this document contact CBS tenancies branch.

If you are experiencing financial hardship you can lodge an application for the fee to be waived (PDF 108KB). For an alternative version of this document contact CBS tenancies branch.

If you decide not to attend a hearing and want to withdraw your application to the Residential Tenancies Tribunal complete a Request to withdraw an application made to the Residential Tenancies Tribunal (PDF 31KB) and return this to the Residential Tenancies Tribunal Registry. For an alternative version of this document contact CBS tenancies branch.

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Residential Tenancies Tribunal hearings

The dispute will be heard by a tribunal member. They make the final decision after hearing from all parties involved and rely on the evidence provided. They should be shown due respect and can be referred to by their name – eg Ms Smith. Their decision is issued as an Order of the Tribunal.

Hearings can be held in country courthouses, by video conference or at the Residential Tenancies Tribunal in Adelaide.

Hearings are informal and are open to the public. You can bring someone to support you - eg a friend, family member or support worker, or as a witness. Legal representation is usually not required. If you feel you would be unable to properly present your case ask the tribunal member at the hearing if someone can assist you.

You should make every effort to attend the hearing as a decision can be made even if you are not there.

Contact the Residential Tenancies Tribunal Registry as soon as possible if you:

are unable to attend the hearing
have any questions about the process
need an interpreter
want to present video footage to the tribunal.

A copy of any decision reached will be given to you in writing, either at the end of the hearing or by post. Decisions are legally binding.

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What to bring to a Residential Tenancies Tribunal hearing

All relevant parties will be notified of the hearing date by the Residential Tenancies Tribunal and will have an opportunity to present their case and any supporting evidence.

Supportive evidence needs to be relevant to the issue and can include:

rent receipts
quotes or receipts for repairs or cleaning
the lease agreement
photographs
video footage
witness testimony or statements
any other documents relevant to the case.

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Disagreeing with a Residential Tenancies Tribunal decision

An outcome of a hearing can only be changed or withdrawn and reheard in exceptional circumstances. Dissatisfaction with an outcome is not considered to be an exceptional circumstance.

You can request to have an order changed or withdrawn and reheard if you were unable to attend a hearing - eg due to an emergency, or have evidence that was not available at the hearing and that would affect the decision.

Follow these steps to request to have an order changed or withdrawn and reheard:

Step 1: Complete an application to the Residential Tenancies Tribunal(PDF 35KB). For an alternative version of this document contact CBS tenancies branch.

Step 2: Explain in writing on the form why you are asking for the order to be changed or withdrawn and reheard.

Step 3: Provide copies of all supportive evidence, including any evidence which was unavailable for the original hearing.

Step 4: Lodge all documentation and the $35 fee within three months of the original outcome with the Residential Tenancies Tribunal.

You can appeal a decision made by the Residential Tenancies Tribunal at your local District Court within a month of receiving the outcome. Contact your local District Court for more information.

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