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RTA General Tenancy Agreement

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General tenancy agreement (Form 18a)

Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008

Part 1 Tenancy details

Item 1.1 Lessor

Name/trading name

Address
Postcode

Phone Mobile Email

Item 2.1 Tenant/s

Tenant 1 Full name/s

Phone Email

Tenant 2 Full name/s

Phone Email

Tenant 3 Full name/s

Phone Email

2.2 Address for service (if different from address of the premises in item 5.1) Attach a separate list

Item 3.1 Agent If applicable. See clause 43

Full name/trading name

Address
Postcode

3.2 Phone Mobile Email

Item 4 Notices may be given to

4.1 Lessor Email Yes No Facsimile Yes No

4.2 Tenant/s Email Yes No Facsimile Yes No

4.3 Agent Email Yes No Facsimile Yes No

Item 5

5.1 Address of the rental premises
Postcode

5.2 Inclusions provided. For example, furniture or other household goods let with the premises. Attach list if necessary

5.3 Details of current repair orders for the rental premises or inclusions

Item 6

6.1 The term of the agreement is fixed term agreement periodic agreement

6.2 Starting on 6.3 Ending on

Page 2 details

Item 7 Rent $ per week fortnight month

Item 8 Rent must be paid on the day of each

Item 9 Method of rent payment

Details for direct credit

BSB no. Bank/building society/credit union

Account no. Account name

Payment reference

Item 10 Place of rent payment

Item 11 Rental bond amount $

Item 12.1 Services supplied to the premises for which the tenant must pay

Electricity Yes No Any other service that a tenant must pay Yes No

Gas Yes No Type

Phone Yes No

12.2 Is the tenant to pay for water supplied to the premises Yes No

Item 13 Apportionment of cost if not individually metered

Electricity

Gas

Phone

Any other service stated in item 12.1

Item 14 How services must be paid for

Electricity

Gas

Phone

Any other service stated in item 12.1

Item 15 Number of persons allowed to reside at the premises

Item 16.1 Body corporate by-laws applicable to occupation? Yes No

16.2 Tenant given copy of by-laws? Yes No

Item 17 Type and number of pets approved by lessor

Type Number Type Number

Item 18.1 Nominated repairers

Electrical repairs Phone

Plumbing repairs Phone

Other repairs Phone

18.2 First point of contact for emergency repairs? Yes No

Lessor contact details if no
Name Phone

Part 2 Standard Terms

This section reproduces the standard terms of the agreement.

Part 3 Special terms

Insert any special terms here and/or attach a separate list if required. See clause 2(3) to 2(5)

The tenant/s must receive a copy of the information statement (Form 17a) and a copy of any applicable by-laws if copies have not previously been given to the tenant/s.

Do not send to the RTA—give this form to the tenant/s, keep a copy for your records.

Signature of lessor/agent

Name/trading name

Signature

Date

Signature of tenant 1

Print name

Signature

Date

Signature of tenant 2

Print name

Signature

Date

Signature of tenant 3

Print name

Signature

Date

Enter text✕

What the RTA General Tenancy Agreement Is

The RTA General Tenancy Agreement is a standardized residential lease form used to record the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants under a jurisdiction's tenancy rules. It sets lease term, rent, security deposit, utilities, maintenance responsibilities, entry notice, and default remedies in clear, itemized clauses. The template is designed for recurring use in typical rental relationships and can be adapted to reflect state-specific legal requirements. When properly executed it creates an enforceable contract governing occupancy, payment, repairs, and termination procedures between the named parties for the stated rental property.

Why a Clear, Standard Tenancy Agreement Matters

Using the RTA General Tenancy Agreement clarifies expectations, reduces disputes, and documents legal remedies for nonpayment and property damage. It standardizes critical terms—rent, term, deposits, and notice periods—so both parties understand obligations and enforcement pathways under applicable state law.

Why a Clear, Standard Tenancy Agreement Matters

Who Typically Uses the RTA General Tenancy Agreement

Landlords, property managers, leasing agents, and legal advisors commonly use this agreement to document standard residential tenancies.

  • Independent landlords managing one to several rental units who need clear lease terms.
  • Professional property managers using standardized forms for scale, compliance, and recordkeeping.
  • Tenant applicants and guarantors who must sign and accept defined obligations.

The form suits single-unit landlords and institutional operators alike and supports consistent recordkeeping for renewals, inspections, and terminations.

Core Sections to Include in the RTA General Tenancy Agreement

Core components of the RTA General Tenancy Agreement organize responsibilities, financial terms, and remedies to support enforceability and predictable tenancy administration.

Lease Term

Specify start and end dates, automatic renewal conditions, notice periods for nonrenewal, and procedures for holdover tenancy; clarity here prevents disputes over occupancy duration and rent obligations.

Rent & Payment

State monthly rent amount, due date, accepted payment methods, late fees, grace periods, and returned-payment consequences; include prorated rent rules for partial periods or move-in/move-out months.

Security Deposit

Document deposit amount, lawful uses, itemized deductions for damages, holding account rules, interest (if required by state law), and return timelines to comply with state statutes.

Repairs & Maintenance

Allocate repair responsibilities between landlord and tenant, emergency repair protocol, notice requirements for requests, and liability for tenant-caused damage to avoid ambiguity.

Entry and Notice

Set acceptable notice periods for inspections and repairs, permitted entry reasons, and emergency entry exceptions; align with state statutes on notice timing and tenant privacy.

Termination & Remedies

Describe cure periods, notice for nonpayment or breach, eviction process outline, and remedies including rent acceleration, damages, and recovery of legal fees where allowed.

Step-by-Step: Completing and Executing the Agreement

Follow these sequential steps to complete, sign, and distribute the RTA General Tenancy Agreement accurately and in compliance with applicable law.

  • 01
    Prepare Document: Populate fields, attach exhibits, and review standard clauses.
  • 02
    Verify Identities: Collect IDs and consent for electronic signing.
  • 03
    Signatures: Obtain signatures from all parties and guarantors.
  • 04
    Distribute Copies: Provide executed copies to all parties and retain records.

Configuring a Digital Signing Workflow

Configure a digital workflow to place fields, set signer order, and enable authentication for reliable e-signature capture.

Field Configuration
Signer Order Specify landlord then tenant signing sequence
Authentication Email link or SMS code; KBA optional
Conditional Fields Show clauses only when certain options selected
Reminder Schedule Set automatic reminders and expiry for signing

Typical Execution and Submission Flow

Typical routing and submission steps for executing, notarizing if required, and storing the completed RTA General Tenancy Agreement.

  • Upload Document: Add PDF, DOCX, or template version.
  • Add Fields: Place signature, initial, and date fields.
  • Send to Signers: Email link or bulk send per workflow.
  • Store Signed Copy: Save final PDF with audit trail.

Technical Requirements for Digital Execution

Choose a platform that accepts PDF and DOCX files, captures an audit trail, and stores documents with AES-256 encryption.

  • File Formats: PDF, DOCX, HTML supported
  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, KBA, SSO options

Downloading, Saving, and Supporting Documents

Common export options and recommended supporting documents for the RTA General Tenancy Agreement help ensure complete, auditable tenant records and compliance readiness.

Export Formats

Save finalized agreement as PDF/A for long-term archiving; keep a DOCX editable copy and preserve the platform's audit trail metadata for legal proof.

Signed Copies

Provide fully executed copies to tenant and landlord; include the platform's certificate of completion that lists timestamps, IP, and signer attribution.

Identification

Attach copies of government-issued ID used to verify signer identity and any guarantor documentation for tenant screening and dispute resolution.

Move-in Checklist

Include an inventory and condition report signed at move-in; attach photographs and any repair requests to avoid later deposit disputes.

Penalties and Risks of an Incorrect Agreement

Unenforceable Terms: Court may refuse enforcement
Security Deposit Violations: State fines, prompt return required
Eviction Delays: Procedural errors delay removal
Wrongful Entry Claims: Civil liability risk
Invalid Signatures: Signature defects void clauses
Statutory Penalties: Fines under state law

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using ambiguous language for rent increases or renewal can lead to disputes and may not satisfy notice requirements under state law.
  • Failing to document repair responsibilities or inspection procedures often produces liability gaps and slows resolution of tenant complaints.
  • Leaving blank or mismatched names, dates, or amounts undermines enforceability and can trigger statutory penalties or collection difficulties.
  • Not verifying signer identity or improperly configured e-sign workflows raises challenges proving attribution and may complicate eviction or court proceedings.

Essential Data Fields Required in the Agreement

Tenant Name: Full legal name required
Landlord Name: Legal owner or manager name
Property Address: Street, unit, city, state, ZIP
Lease Dates: Start and end dates in MM/DD/YYYY
Rent Amount: Numeric dollar value and due date
Signature Record: Timestamp, IP, audit trail

eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison for Lease Execution

Compare pricing and common capabilities across eSignature providers when executing the RTA General Tenancy Agreement; signNow appears in the first column per table format.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Depends on plan Depends on plan Depends on plan

Real-World Examples of Electronic Lease Workflows

These short case examples show how organizations use electronic execution and standardized tenancy templates to streamline lease administration.

Martin Properties

Tim Martin, founder of Martin Properties, moved lease execution online to reduce in-person meetings and turnaround time.

  • Faster lease execution and consistent compliance.
  • "I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security. Whether on mobile or working offline, I can get forms back to their necessary parties efficiently."

Optica Ventures LLC

Optica Ventures adopted eSignature for recurring lease renewals and application processing to speed approvals and reduce paper handling.

  • Improved tenant responsiveness and processing speed.
  • "The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers."

FAQs and Common Questions About the RTA General Tenancy Agreement

Answers to frequent questions about electronic signatures, notarization, retention, and correcting common errors in tenancy agreements.


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