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Ending a non-fixed term lease


Notice to vacate

A lease that has no fixed end date is called a non-fixed-term lease. It can be ended by a Notice to vacate when:

  • the tenant and owner agree to end the lease
  • the tenant gives the owner at least 14 days’ notice that they are ending the lease and moving
  • the owner gives the tenant at least 14 days’ notice because the tenant has breached the lease or caused a substantial nuisance
  • the owner gives the tenant at least 42 days’ notice that the property is to be sold, transferred to another person, significantly renovated, used as a residence by a member of the owner’s family, or no longer used as a rental property
  • a magistrate issues a Court order to end a lease or the property is due to be sold by a lending institution (eg a bank) in order to recover money owed by the owner, in which case at least 60 days’ notice must be given to the tenant.

What does significantly renovated mean?

Significantly renovated means the property would be unfit for the tenant to live in while the renovations are taking place; or, if the tenant were to stay at the property during the renovations, there would be a risk to the tenant’s (or their visitors’), or the renovator’s health or safety.

What does owner's family mean?

Owner’s family means:

  • the owner’s domestic partner, son, daughter or parent or
  • a parent of the owner’s domestic partner or
  • another person who normally lives with the owner and is wholly or substantially dependent on the owner.

Tenant advocacy and support

There are independent advocacy support services available which protect the rights of people with disability. CBOS also helps clients who require extra support managing their MyBond account. Read more information on tenant advocacy and support using MyBond.

Last updated: 08 Aug 2022

This page has been produced and published by the Consumer Building and Occupational Services Division of the Department of Justice. Although every care has been taken in production, no responsibility is accepted for the accuracy, completeness, or relevance to the user's purpose of the information. Those using it for whatever purpose are advised to verify it with the relevant government department, local government body or other source and to obtain any appropriate professional advice. The Crown, its officers, employees and agents do not accept liability however arising, including liability for negligence, for any loss resulting from the use of or reliance upon the information and/or reliance on its availability at any time.