If you're renting a property in South Australia, you'll want to make sure you have the right landlord cover.
No matter where you are, being a landlord is no easy task. Whether you're worried about vandalism in Adelaide or facing down the harsh weather of the Nullarbor, getting the right cover can protect your home and contents from whatever worries your mind. Read our guide to see what's covered (and how), or compare policies below.
Compare landlord insurance for SA
What does landlord insurance cover me for?
Landlord insurance is available in three cover options:
- Home insurance. Home insurance, or building-only cover, covers your home and other fixtures on your property against damage from fires, storms, theft and vandalism. Cover usually provides additional protection against loss of rent due to damage rendering the property uninhabitable or damage to shared areas such as pools and gardens.
- Contents insurance. Contents cover protects any of your household possessions and any other property you have on site against the same risks as home insurance. Additional options are usually available for communal items like pool equipment or outdoor furniture.
- Both home and contents insurance, bought as a bundle. Complete protection for your property and everything inside, this is the most comprehensive level of cover available to landlords and includes optional cover for both rental default and damage or loss caused by tenants or their guests.
Is landlord insurance compulsory in SA?
While you aren't legally required to have landlord insurance in South Australia, you're liable as the landlord for injury or death on your property and bear full responsibility in the event of damage or loss to your home or its contents. Also, you must set and adhere to lease terms, collect bond (typically four weeks' rent) and rent for the property. Landlord insurance can protect you against these financial burdens and offers legal liability for such incidents.
How do I choose a landlord insurance policy?
To find the right landlord insurance, you need to have a good think about the kind of cover you need. If you're price-minded, be aware that your premiums will increase with the level of cover your policy provides. If you're in the city or you've furnished your property with top-of-the-range furniture and appliances, you may only want contents insurance. If you want comprehensive protection, keep in mind that certain events, such as flood or tenant default, are sometimes offered as an optional extra. Be sure to discuss specific terms and conditions with your insurance provider to ensure the right cover for you.
What do I need to know about renting out a place in South Australia?
Wherever you are in Australia, landlord insurance is pretty much the same. However, each state differs a bit with regard to the around the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants, which could affect you when you need to make a claim:
- Bond and advance rent. If the rent is $250 or less per week, you're allowed to request a bond equal to four weeks' rent. If rent is more than that, you can request a bond equal to six weeks' rent. You can also ask for two weeks' advance rent in each case.
- Rent increases. You cannot increase the rent during the first 12 months of a tenancy. After that, you can increase rent once every 12 months as long as you've given a 60-day notice. You cannot raise the rent in the middle of a fixed-term lease unless it is written into the agreement about the possibility of an increase and the circumstances in which it would happen.
- Ending a tenancy. To end a fixed-term lease, you have to let the tenant know 28 days in advance of the lease ending. If it's a periodic lease, you have to give them a 90-day notice unless you have a good reason (such as selling the house), in which case you can shorten the notice to 60 days.
- Pets. Tenants will need your written permission if they want to keep a pet in your rental property.
- Access for inspections. You're allowed to inspect once every four weeks, but you need to provide a written notice of between 7-14 days prior to each visit.
Who offers landlord insurance in South Australia?
Australian home insurance providers usually aren't state-specific, which means homeowners in South Australia can access cover from an extensive range of trusted insurance brands, including:
What are a landlord's responsibilities?
Landlords are obliged to provide an apartment, house or property that is free of hazards and defects, is fit to live in and complies with all state and local building and health codes. Your property must meet these standards before you can lease it. You're also responsible for securing a bond from your tenant and submitting it to Consumer and Business Services. Other responsibilities include:
- Maintaining structural components and a reasonably weather-protected unit
- Providing the necessary heat, electric and hot and cold water facilities
- Making any requested repairs promptly
- Inspecting the property each time it's leased to determine whether or not it meets safety and adequate living standards
- Giving notice before entering a rental unit, except in cases of emergency
- Abiding by all agreements made in the signed lease
- Adhering to the legal eviction process if evicting a tenant
- Advising your tenant of their legal rights and responsibilities when taking out a lease
What about a landlord's rights?
As a landlord, it is your right to evict a tenant, so long as adequate notice has been given or if a tenant has broken the conditions of the lease. You can increase rent or length of the lease, though your tenant has the right to refuse the changes and can opt of the lease if you push ahead. If your tenant has left the premises, you can hold the bond until you've completed any repairs or cleaning services that may be required.
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