To use the rental database, you must first register using your university student email. If you attempt to register with a personal email, your registration will be reviewed and may be delayed.
Once registered, you can browse all available listings, shortlist your preferred options, and contact the providers directly to arrange property inspections or request further details.
After inspecting a property and confirming your interest, you should communicate with the provider to discuss the terms and conditions of the rental agreement.
Please note: The University strongly advises students not to secure any shared or private accommodation without first inspecting the property in person. If you are not yet in Adelaide, we recommend arranging temporary accommodation and waiting until your arrival to inspect properties before making any commitments.
Do not pay any money until you have:
We strongly advise against sending money overseas under any circumstances.
Adelaide University Accommodation Services can provide the support or assistance to secure an accommodation environment that is conducive to your academic success.
We do not inspect the properties listed or interview the people advertising on the Rental Database. You will need to make your own enquiries about the suitability of the property, housemates and landlord.
Contact Accommodation Services team if you would like to discuss your options.
Please note that the University strongly advises students not to secure shared or private accommodation without first inspecting the property in person.
The recommended approach is to first arrange temporary accommodation. Once you arrive in Adelaide, we recommend inspecting properties in person before making any rental commitments.
Do not pay any money until you have thoroughly inspected the property. Do not pay any money unless you are satisfied that the agreement is genuine. We strongly advise against sending money overseas. Make sure that you get a copy of your signed agreement and a receipt for money paid.
In South Australia, the main difference between a residential tenancy agreement and a rooming house agreement lies in the nature of the accommodation and the level of control the resident has over the premises.
A residential tenancy agreement is used when a person rents an entire property, such as a house, apartment, or unit, and has exclusive possession of the premises. This means the tenant has full control over who enters the property and how it is used. These agreements are typically more formal and are governed by the Residential Tenancies Act 1995. Landlords can request a bond of up to four weeks’ rent if the weekly rent is $800 or less, or up to six weeks’ rent if the rent exceeds $800. Tenants are usually responsible for their own utilities, and rental payments are often made fortnightly or monthly. These arrangements are suited to longer-term living.
In contrast, a rooming house agreement applies when a person rents a room within a property—such as a boarding house or student accommodation—and shares facilities like bathrooms and kitchens with others. In these situations, the resident does not have exclusive possession of the premises, meaning they cannot control who else lives in or enters the property. The proprietor (landlord) may provide additional services such as cleaning, meals, or linen, and the agreement may be more flexible and short-term. The bond is capped at two weeks’ rent, and rent is often paid weekly. These arrangements are governed by specific provisions in the same legislation (Part 4A of the Residential Tenancies Act) but are generally simpler and less formal than full tenancy agreements.
Please visit Consumer and Business Services' website for more information: Renting & Letting Advice | Consumer and Business Services.
We strongly advise that you use written agreements in English. This prevents disputes about the agreement and what is included in the rent.
Please find more information about the standard tenancy agreement on SA.GOV.AU - Renting privately owned houses, units and apartments
Receipts are a legal requirement. If you are paying your rent with cash, always make sure that you get a receipt in English immediately.
Please contact Accommodation Services if you need further assistance.
In South Australia, the maximum bond a landlord can request under a residential tenancy agreement depends on the weekly rent amount:
For rooming houses agreement, the maximum bond a proprietor can request is up to two weeks’ rent.
It's important to note that landlords must lodge any bond they receive with Consumer and Business Services (CBS) through the Residential Bonds Online (RBO) system within 2 weeks of receiving it.
These limits apply to residential tenancy agreements entered into on or after 1 April 2023. For agreements made before that date, previous thresholds may still apply.
If you believe a landlord has requested a bond exceeding these limits, you can seek assistance from Consumer and Business Services by calling 131 882 or visiting their official website.
Landlords must give tenants a receipt for any rent paid within 48 hours, unless it is paid directly into a bank account.
Detailed rent records must be kept by the landlord for all rent paid. The date the money is credited into the account is the ‘paid’ date.
Rent receipts and records must show:
The landlord can be fined if they don’t give receipts or keep proper rent records.
The rent receipts and records information sheet (PDF 1MB) provides examples of proper rent records. For more information, please visit Rent and bond payments.
When you move into a property the landlord must provide you with two copies of a completed inspection sheet. This sheet will indicate the condition of the property. You should check the inspection sheet and note any areas where you disagree with the landlord's assessment of the property. Make sure that you note these changes on both copies of the inspection sheet, and then give one copy to the landlord. It is important for you to have this record as you may need it at the end of the tenancy if there is a dispute about the condition of the property.
In private rental properties, landlords are generally responsible for ensuring the property is maintained in a safe and liveable condition. This includes structural repairs, plumbing, electrical systems, and any fixtures provided with the property. Tenants are responsible for keeping the property reasonably clean and reporting any damage or required repairs promptly. Tenants may also be required to maintain gardens or replace consumables like light bulbs, depending on the lease agreement.
Please visit Consumer and Business Services' website for more information: SA.GOV.AU - Repairs and maintenance in private rental properties,
The Australian Government offers a variety of financial support programs to assist Australian students to access higher education. This financial support can be used to cover a range of costs related to university study, including your accommodation.
Programs include:
For more information and eligibility criteria, please visit the Services Australia website.
Adelaide University Accommodation Services can provide the support or assistance to secure an accommodation environment that is conducive to your academic success.
This is a free service aimed at helping Adelaide University students find suitable, affordable accommodation. We simply require you to comply with relevant laws, including Residential Tenancies Act 1995.
The University requires providers to comply with all relevant laws and provide written agreement to students, such as the Residential Tenancy Act 1995 and local council by-laws.
We recommend that you visit the helpful Consumer and Business Services website and your local council for free advice and relevant documents.
We recommend that you visit the helpful Consumer and Business Services website and your local council for free advice and relevant documents.
A bond is a security deposit a tenant gives the landlord - or a resident gives the proprietor of a rooming house or residential park - before they move in. The bond is lodged with Consumer and Business Services (CBS) in a trust account and cannot be used by the landlord during the tenancy.
Generally, international and interstate students prefer furnished accommodation, but some students may have their own furniture. You may discuss with students for this option.
While we are unable to provide specific advice on rental pricing, it’s important to consider that most students are looking for affordable and clean accommodation in convenient locations. When setting your rent, take into account the facilities and features your property offers, and compare similar listings on the Rental Database to get an idea of the current market rates.
To list your listing on our rental database, you just need to register as a provider. Once registered, simply click "Go to Dashboard" and then "Add a Listing." You'll be able to provide all the details there and save for submission.
Accommodation Services will review your submission and contact you if there are more details required.
The Rental Database is a free internet-based service. All advertisements are to be submitted online only. If you do not have access to the internet at home, you could visit our Accommodation Service on campus for seeking assistance.
You can choose whether the student rings or emails you. It is up to you to screen the student for suitability.
Once your vacancy has been filled, you will need to close your listing.
Simply sign in, select "Go to your dashboard", select your listing and click on the "Close" button.
Your listing will remain on your dashboard, so you can re-activate it later.
Simply sign in and select "Go to your dashboard". Select your listing and click on "Make changes".
Any changes will be subject to approval by Accommodation Services, but in the meantime, the previous version of your listing will remain visible.
Once it has been approved, your listing will be available for viewing for 3 weeks. You will receive an email a few days before the end of this period, giving you the option of re-listing your vacancy.
Please remember to close your listing as soon as the vacancy has been filled. Simply click on the blue "Close" button.
Simply sign in, select "Go to your dashboard". Select your listing, check the details and then "Relist".
Here is some useful information regarding your income tax rights and responsibilities.
