In South Australia, the Government has established a Tenancy Advice line that anyone can ring and seek advice on situations that arise with residential tenancies. Not surprisingly, many tenants ring to find out what happens when they choose to break their lease.
Up until now, they have been told they can immediately stop paying their rent until a new tenant is found for the property.
At a recent Tenancy Tribunal hearing on another matter, this was brought up. The Tribunal Member expressed her annoyance at hearing that such advice was being given. The actual word that she used was, “unlawful”.
So I decided to lodge a formal complaint with the Commissioner of Consumer Affairs. I received a prompt reply advising that my complaint was being looked in to. Within a few days, I received a further reply that my complaint had been acted upon and that the Tenancy Advice staff had been instructed to cease giving this incorrect advice.
It’s nice to get a win occasionally!
