Paying rent using a third-party rent app

Landlords or agents cannot require tenants to use a third-party app to pay their rent.

Landlords and property agents must offer tenants at least one way to pay the rent that does not involve them incurring costs (outside of the tenant's usual bank account management fees) and is reasonably available to the tenant.

Some landlords or agents may offer tenants to pay their rent using a third-party rent payment app.

Tenants should be aware that using a third-party rent payment app may result in them incurring costs, such as fees.

Renting apps and privacy

In making decisions about the use of third-party apps for transactions with prospective tenants and tenants, agents, landlords and providers of third-party rental applications should ensure they comply with Federal privacy laws if they are bound by them. Agents must also not use or disclose confidential information (including personal information) unless the client or customer authorises this use, or it is otherwise required by law.

The Fair Trading Commissioner's guidance provides more information about these requirements, as well as other guidance on dealing with personal information from tenancy applicants and tenants. Providers of third-party rental apps should also consider this guidance.