Increasing the rent

Landlords must provide tenants with at least 60 days' written notice of a rent increase (160KB PDF).

There's no limit to how much rent can be increased. However, a tenant may apply to the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) within 90 days for the rent increase to be declared excessive. In deciding if the rent increase is excessive, SACAT may take into account the level of rent for comparable premises, the state of repair and condition of the premises and whether the increase in rent was disproportionate compared with the former rent amount.

The rent can also be reduced if the landlord and tenant both agree.

When rent can be increased

Rent can only be increased at least 12 months after the last rent increase or from when the agreement started.

Fixed term agreements

A rent increase can only occur during a fixed term agreement if a condition allowing for a rent increase is included in the agreement. It must state how the increase will be worked out - eg according to CPI.

At least 60 days’ written notice still needs to be given and the increase can't start until 12 months after the agreement began, or the rent was last increased.

Fixed and periodic agreements

Rent can be increased:

if at least 60 days' written notice is given and the increase starts at least 12 months after the agreement began, or the rent was last increased.
with an offer for a lease extension, provided it’s been 12 months since the agreement started, or the rent was last increased.
if the specific amount of the increase and date it will commence is included as a condition in the agreement, for example, rent will increase to $400 per week from 1 July provided it’s been 12 months since the last increase.
within 60 days of the Housing Safety Authority removing a rent control notice by giving at least 14 days' notice
in a community housing property - see information about rent increases and decreases.