Rental changes due to COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting restrictions have put some Territorians into financial difficulties. This has resulted in the NT Government examining the Residential Tenancies Act 1999 and the Business Tenancies (Fair Dealings) Act 2003 to assist renters remaining in their rental properties for the duration of this crisis.
Currently all parties have a responsibility to work together to sustain tenancies to keep people in their homes/businesses. NT Consumer Affairs strongly encourages any renters who are experiencing financial distress due to the pandemic and cannot pay their rent, to contact their property owner or manager to negotiate a solution as soon as possible.
You should:
- talk to your property owner or manager to negotiate a suitable outcome
- try to be understanding and reasonable in your dealings with each other
- consider each situation individually
- document any decisions made
- follow any government and/or health agency requirements.
Government Gazette No. S36 - Extension of Operation of Declaration of Public Health Emergency
Government Gazette No. S32 - Residential Tenancies Act 1999 - Amendment (No. 2) 2020
Government Gazette No. S29 - Residential Tenancies Act 1999 - Amendment of Modification Notice
Government Gazette No. S28 - Residential Tenancies Act 1999 - Modification Notice
Government Gazette No S27 - Business Tenancies (Fair Dealings) Act 2003
Further information and fact sheets can be found by following the navigation links on this page.
COVID-19 Residential Tenancy Notices
The following residential tenancy notices have been modified due to the changes in the Residential Tenancies Act 1999 and are in force until the end of the declaration of the health emergency.
They are only applicable where the tenant has been impacted by the pandemic. For unaffected tenants, the general Residential Tenancy notices are still current and can be found on the normal Residential Tenancy webpage here.
| Form No. | Title | PDF file | Word file |
|---|---|---|---|
| RT03 | Notice by Landlord to Tenant to Remedy Breach of Agreement - Unpaid Rent | PDF (715.9 KB) | DOC (293.0 KB) |
| RT04a | Notice by Landlord to Tenant to Remedy Breach of Term of Agreement | PDF (710.7 KB) | DOC (277.0 KB) |
| RT04b | Notice by Tenant to Landlord to Remedy Breach of Term of Agreement (Repairs or Maintenance) | PDF (712.8 KB) | DOC (277.5 KB) |
| RT05 | Notice to Terminate Tenancy Agreement by Landlord/Agent | PDF (755.4 KB) | DOC (289.0 KB) |
| RT06 | Notice to Terminate Tenancy Agreement by Tenant | PDF (719.4 KB) | DOC (289.0 KB) |
| RT08 | Notice of Landlord’s Intention to Retain Security Deposit | PDF (731.6 KB) | DOC (302.0 KB) |
| RT09 | Notice of Requirement to Enter Premises by Landlord/Agent | PDF (722.2 KB) | DOC (293.0 KB) |
| RT010 | Notice to Tenant of Rent Increase (Fixed Term Tenancy) and/or Security Deposit Increase (by Landlord/Agent) | PDF (694.8 KB) | DOC (269.5 KB) |
If you have any difficulties negotiating a suitable outcome or require further advice please contact the Northern Territory Consumer Affairs on: 1800 019 319 or (08) 8999 1999.
Our call centre is open each business day from 8:30am–4.00pm. You can also email us at: consumer@nt.gov.au
Our call centre staff will be able to give you further advice, specific to your personal circumstances.