The short answer
The biggest recent changes for ACT tenants: no-cause evictions ended on 1 April 2023, along with the first minimum housing standard (ceiling insulation). On 10 December 2024, rent increase limits extended to lease renewals, a standard break lease fee became part of every new fixed-term lease, and family violence termination notices began. Pets and modifications rights date from 1 November 2019.
Coming up: the ceiling insulation deadline for long-running tenancies is 30 November 2026. Two bills before the Legislative Assembly (gas and rent reductions; family violence evidence) aren't law yet.
Timeline of changes
| Date | What changed for tenants |
|---|---|
| 24 August 2017 | New bond release process (joint, tenant and lessor applications), joint final inspections with an end condition report, and smoke alarm duties for lessors |
| 1 November 2019 | Pets: tenants may keep animals; a lessor needs ACAT’s approval to refuse. Modifications: minor and special modifications, with ACAT approval needed to refuse special ones. Rent increases: an increase above the prescribed amount needs the tenant’s written agreement or ACAT’s prior approval |
| 1 April 2020 | Legal Aid ACT began running the government-funded tenancy advice service |
| 6 April 2020 | Rent in advance limited to 2 weeks (previously 1 month), unless the tenant chooses more |
| 5 May 2020 | Tenants can end a lease on 14 days’ notice when accepted into aged care or social housing |
| 1 July 2020 | No new tenancies for homes on the loose-fill asbestos (Mr Fluffy) register |
| 25 August 2020 | Tenants can leave a fixed term early in some sale situations; buyer inspections limited to 2 a week with 48 hours’ notice; urgent repairs list updated |
| 3 March 2021 | Co-tenancy rules for housemates leaving and joining, and bond shares; occupancy agreements protected by occupancy principles |
| 30 January 2022 | University and college accommodation covered by the occupancy rules |
| 1 April 2023 | No-cause evictions abolished. Lessors need a listed reason and written evidence. Minimum housing standards begin, starting with ceiling insulation. Rental ads must show a price, and inviting rent bids is banned. Retaliatory notices can be disallowed |
| 12 December 2023 | Rent increase limit rewritten as the current dollar formula using Canberra’s rents index |
| 10 December 2024 | Rent increase limits and the 12-month rule apply to lease renewals with the same tenant. Standard break lease fee (6 or 4 weeks’ rent) in every new fixed-term lease. Family violence termination notices. Condition reports and bonds carry over on renewal |
| 9 January 2025 | More required information in rental advertisements and before signing |
| 12 October 2025 | Posting clauses updated to include partners and tenants posted away; electronic condition reports; tenants given a lessor’s notice can leave on 2 weeks’ notice (4 days in the last 2 weeks) |
| 26 November 2025 | The ABS replaced its quarterly CPI with a monthly CPI, which changes the index used for the rent increase limit |
| 30 November 2026 | Ceiling insulation deadline for homes rented continuously since before 1 April 2023 |
| From 1 December 2026 | New rentals must meet the insulation standard within 3 months of the first lease |
Before the Legislative Assembly (not law yet)
As at October 2026, two bills would change renting law if passed:
- Housing and Consumer Affairs Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 (presented 17 September 2026): rules for homes moving from gas to electric, including limits on rent reductions where gas appliances are replaced, who pays to connect services, and gas supply as an urgent repair.
- Family, Personal and Sexual Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (presented 3 December 2025): more types of evidence accepted with a family violence termination notice.
The ACT Government also consulted in 2024 on further minimum standards, including ventilation, draught-proofing, mould and damp, and heating and cooling, and on occupancy law reform. No decision has been made law as at October 2026.
Guides affected by recent changes
Common questions
Can a landlord in the ACT still end a lease without a reason?
No. No-cause termination was removed on 1 April 2023, and since 12 December 2023 it no longer applies to older fixed-term leases either. A lessor now needs one of the reasons listed in the law, with written evidence. See ending a tenancy.
Where can I read the current law?
The Residential Tenancies Act 1997, including the standard terms in Schedule 1, and the Residential Tenancies Regulation 1998 are on the ACT Legislation Register. Check the republication date: summaries and older factsheets can lag behind changes.
Sources for this guide (4)
- Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (ACT), republication R84 and endnotes (ACT Legislation Register)
- Residential Tenancies Regulation 1998 (ACT), republication R16 and endnotes (ACT Legislation Register)
- The Renting Book, January 2026 (ACT Government)
- Minimum standards for rental properties and occupancy law reform (consultation) (ACT Government YourSay)
This guide is general information about ACT renting law as at the date above. It isn't legal advice. Laws and notices change and details matter, so check your own situation with a free advice service before you rely on it.