Use Form A1
From 1 January 2026, landlords and agents must use the standard rental application, Form A1, to consider prospective tenants. The application records the proposed weekly rent and bond.
Download the current form through Consumer and Business Services, then confirm how the manager wants it submitted. Keep your completed copy and the property advertisement together.
Document requests and privacy
Requests are limited to two documents in each category: identity, ability to pay and suitability. Financial evidence may include a payslip, employment confirmation or relevant evidence of financial capacity.
Financial statements can have outgoing transactions and account numbers removed. Questions about previous rental disputes are not permitted. If the application asks for unrelated personal information, seek clarification before supplying it.
Work out the bond and advance rent
At weekly rent of $800 or less, the maximum bond is four weeks’ rent. Above $800, the maximum is six weeks. Check which threshold applies to the advertised home.
The only payments a landlord can ask for at the start are the bond and up to two weeks’ rent in advance. The bond is held by Consumer and Business Services. Ask for a clear written breakdown rather than paying an unexplained reservation charge.
Explain a first rental or changed circumstances
If you have been living with family, own your current home or are moving to SA, describe that situation accurately in the relevant part of Form A1. Ask the manager how to record a field that does not apply.
Before choosing a referee, think about what they can actually verify. Give them the expected timing of the application and make sure their contact details are current. Keep your application focused on the home and your ability to meet the proposed tenancy.
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General information for private residential rentals, based on the official sources linked here. Rules can change and different arrangements, including rooming accommodation and social housing, may have different requirements. Check the relevant authority for advice about your situation. Suggest a correction.