1. APPLICATION OF THE ACT AND REGULATIONS

The Proprietor and the Resident are legally bound to comply with the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA) and associated Regulations. An agreement or arrangement that is inconsistent with this Act or purports to exclude, modify or restrict the operation of this Act, is (unless the inconsistency, exclusion, modification or restriction is expressly permitted under the Act) to that extent void.

2. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

In this Agreement, unless a contrary intention appears:

2.1 “Bond” means an amount a resident is required to pay under a rooming house agreement, or an agreement collateral to a rooming house agreement, as security for the performance of obligations under a rooming house agreement;

2.2 “House rules”—see clause 3;

2.3 “Proprietor” means rooming house proprietor;

2.4 “Rent” means an amount payable under a rooming house agreement for accommodation at the rooming house;

2.5 “Resident” means a rooming house resident.

3. HOUSE RULES

3.1 The Proprietor may establish written rules regarding the conduct or behaviour of the Residents, known as house rules. Any house rules in operation will be considered part of the terms of this agreement.

3.2 A copy of the house rules will be sent directly to the resident as a PDF file. Additionally, a shortened version of the house rules will be displayed in the common area.

3.3 The Proprietor will give the resident seven days’ notice of any change to the House rules;

3.4 Weekly Cleaning: Residents will be assigned weekly cleaning duties for communal areas and must upload photos of the cleaned area on the Otherhome group chat. Areas to Clean: Kitchen, communal living areas, bathrooms (excluding ensuites), and individual rooms.

    3.4.1 An additional cleaning fee of up to $200 may be charged to Residents who fail to

complete their weekly cleaning duties.

3.4.2 Residents who have an ensuite or private bathroom are not required to clean the shared

bathroom on their turn.

3.4.3 The Proprietor will provide details of the areas to be cleaned each week and instruct

Residents on what they need to do with the cleaning schedule.

3.4.4 Residents at Gray Street, Adelaide 5000(Property code 32) do not have cleaning duties

for the common areas. Regular cleaning services are provided for common area cleaning only.

3.5 Guest Invitation: Guests require permission and prior notification. The notification should be given through Otherhome group chat among all the Residents and Proprietor. Verbal or any other channel notification won’t be considered proper notification. Guest must not interrupt other Residents in the property during stay and must leave before 10 pm.

    3.5.1 Unauthorized guests may be considered a breach of the agreement.

    3.5.2 If a guest causes serious damage or interrupts the privacy, peace, or comfort of other

Residents in the rooming house, the Resident who invited the guest will be held fully

responsible. This may result in the immediate termination of their lease.

3.6 Noise and Disturbances: Quiet hours are observed from 10 pm to 7 am.

    3.6.1 All Residents must turn down the volume of their electronic devices and use the

common areas and take phone calls quietly during designated quiet hours.

3.7 Parking: The driveway and any street parking spaces must be shared among all residents.

3.7.1 The locked-up garage is allocated to the resident who leases the space individually.

3.7.2 Except for the Resident who leases the garage, no one is permitted to access the garage without permission. Storing personal luggage is also not allowed.

3.8. Safety: Residents must not share any information related to the safety of the rooming house, such as the digital door lock password, Wi-Fi password, or access procedures, with others.

3.9 Maintenance: Residents must inform the Proprietor promptly if there are any maintenance issues in the rooming house.

    3.9.1 Maintenance requests must have a reasonable cause. Unreasonable maintenance requests may be declined or result in a direct fee.

4. RESIDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY

4.1 Rent payment: Residents are responsible for paying rent on time according to the agreed payment cycle with the Proprietor.

4.1.1 Rent Arrears: Residents will receive a written warning if rent is overdue by 14 days, requiring them to pay the outstanding balance within 2 days. Failure to pay within the specified time will result in lease termination.

4.2 House rules: Residents must comply with the house rules.

    4.2.1 If Residents breach the rooming house agreement in a manner other than rent arrears,

the proprietor can give written notice to the Residents that their rooming house agreement

will be terminated 7 days after the Resident receives the notice.

4.2.2 Residents must fully understand the house rules when they start the lease. The full

version of the house rules is included in the rooming house agreement.

4.3 Keep the room in a condition that does not cause a fire or health hazard.

4.3.1 Residents must clean their own room if the room comes with an ensuite or private bathroom, it is also their responsibility to keep it clean and maintained.

4.3.2 Residents are responsible for maintaining their rooms and common areas in a clean condition. If a serious pest issue arises due to their actions (e.g., food waste), the cost of pest control may be charged directly to the responsible resident or shared among all residents in the premises if the specific cause cannot be identified.

4.4 Residents do not keep an animal in the rooming house.

    4.4.1 The Proprietor hosts a diverse range of Residents, and considerations such as pet

allergies or fears may arise. Additionally, a shared accommodation setting is not conducive to

having pets.

4.5 Residents must not use the rooming house, or cause or permit the rooming house to be used,

for an illegal activity.

4.5.1 Any illegal activity, including drug use, violence, racism, and indoor smoking, can cause

immediate termination of the lease and may lead to legal action.

4.6 Residents must cooperate to provide access to their room for reasonable maintenance purposes and the scheduled inspection.

    4.6.1 Otherhome maintenance teams can access a Resident’s room once they provide notice

of the visiting date and time.

4.6.2 The contact number will be provided to the service if the maintenance issue requires

immediate attention, such as for an electrician, plumber, or AC technician. It is the Resident’s

responsibility to allow access to the rooming house and their room.

4.6.3 Residents must cooperate by providing access for the scheduled inspection, which was notified in advance. If access is blocked by a locked room or any other reason, a fine or fee may be applied directly to the resident.

4.7 Residents must inform the Proprietor at least two weeks in advance to extend or terminate the agreement including periodic.

    4.7.1 The minimum term for a fixed-term agreement is 4 months. If Residents wish

to extend their lease for less than 4 months, they may choose a periodic, which will

result in a $30 increase in their current weekly rent price.

4.7.2 If Residents break the agreement before the end of the lease term in a fixed-term agreement, they may be charged a $200 early termination fee. Additionally, rent may be charged until the lease end date.

4.7.3 Residents must respond to the Proprietor before their lease end date; otherwise, the lease will automatically convert to a periodic contract.

4.7.4 If Residents want to vacate their room in periodic contact, they must inform the

Proprietor 7 days before with the written notice.

4.7.5 Residents must finalize all payments, including rent arrears, utility bills, and any

outstanding balances, before they completely vacate the room.

4.7.6 If a Resident breaks the lease before the start date, they are still responsible for fulfilling their lease obligations and any lease break penalties.

4.7.7 If a Resident gives a vacate notice of less than 2 weeks, they are responsible for paying rent for the full 2-week notice period from the date of notice.

4.8 Residents are responsible for signing and completing the rooming house agreement and checklist when they start the lease. They must also submit the checklist when they vacate the room.

4.8.1 A Resident who has not signed the Rooming House Agreement before the lease start date will be considered to have agreed to all terms and conditions.

4.8.2 The Move-In Checklist must be completed within 7 days from the lease start date. If not completed, it will be considered that the Resident fully agrees to the conditions of the checklist.

4.8.3 The bond return and process may be delayed if a resident does not complete the move-out checklist when vacating the premises.

5. PROPRIETOR’S RESPONSIBILITY

5.1 Service Provision: The Proprietor operates as a rooming agency during business hours (weekdays, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, excluding weekends, public holidays and office holidays).

Contact Details:

Finance: finance@otherhome.org

Property Management: support@otherhome.org

Maintenance: maintenance@otherhome.org

Tenant Portal: support.otherhome.org

5.2 Maintenance and Repairs: The Proprietor promptly addresses maintenance and repair requests. Some issues may require property owner approval, which may result in longer response times. Efforts are made to expedite approvals and keep Residents informed.

    5.2.1 Entry into communal areas during repairs or inspections does not require prior notice (Notice required for individual rooms);

5.2.2 Emergency:

🔴 A burst water service

🔴 A blocked or broken lavatory system

🔴 A serious roof leak

🔴 A gas leak

🔴 A dangerous electrical fault

🔴 Flooding or serious flood damage

🔴 Serious storm or fire damage

🔴 A serious fault in a lift or staircase on the rented premises

🔴 Any fault or damage that makes the rental premises unsafe or insecure

The proprietor will respond promptly to the above emergency cases. After business hours, Residents should contact 000 first and then share the details with +61 448 496 534. Non-emergency issues may not be addressed through this contact after business hours;

5.3 Lockout assistance: During business hours, the Proprietor assist with lockouts depending on availability.

5.3.1 During business hours, residents can visit the office to pick up spare keys and return them by the next day at no additional charge.

5.3.2 If the Resident is unable to visit the office, the Proprietor can visit the premises to provide an unlock door service ($80) or key cutting and delivery services ($150) as required. Both services must be paid in advance. The invoice will be issued before departure, and the resident must provide proof of payment.

5.3.3 If the key is registered, an additional cost may be charged for key copying, plus the $150 fee.

5.3.4 For lockouts occurring outside office hours, on public holidays, or when the proprietor is unavailable, residents must contact a locksmith directly and are responsible for the locksmith’s fees.

5.4 Compliance: The Proprietor ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations regarding rental property and tenancy.

5.5 Security and Privacy: Resident information is protected and managed under data protection laws.

5.6 Communication: Regular updates and notices are provided to Residents regarding the property, lease, and other relevant information.

5.7 Messenger Application: The Proprietor is responsible for providing basic guidance on how to use the application and for supplying the login details to the Residents.

5.8 Cleaning Schedule: The Proprietor must issue a cleaning schedule for Residents each time a new tenant moves in or out.

    5.8.1 The cleaning schedule must be provided to Residents via email or through the messenger group chat.

    5.8.2 The cleaning schedule is issued only when the rooming house has a new tenant or vacancy. It is not provided for individual Residents’ personal issues, such as holidays or business trips (less than 28 days).

5.9 The Proprietor is responsible for providing a checklist with photo evidence when a Resident moves in or out.

6. SECURITY, PRIVACY AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION

6.1 Privacy: CCTV cameras are installed for security purposes to prevent crime. Note that not all rooming houses under Otherhome management have CCTV; it is only installed in specific rooming houses with safety concerns.

6.2 Coverage: Cameras are placed in public areas only, not in private spaces such as bedrooms or bathrooms;

6.3 Recording: Footage is stored for up to one week and then automatically deleted;

6.4 Access: Recorded footage can only be accessed by authorized personnel and is provided to Residents with valid reasons, such as police investigations;

6.5 Maintenance: The maintenance team regularly inspects and maintains the CCTV cameras;

6.6 Legal Compliance: CCTV installation follows local laws. The Proprietor is not liable for camera issues due to battery or machine malfunctions.

6.7 Residents who raise the issue must provide any relevant proof such as a police report, message, email, or capture image from a surveillance camera (only the specific rooming house that is installed). The Proprietor terminates the Resident’s agreement with the confirmed proof based on the rooming house agreement.

     6.7.1 Any kind of proof, including video, photo, or recording, can be declined by the Proprietor

if it could cause legal issues.

6.8 Any conflicts that happen between the Residents will not be the responsibility of the Proprietor. The Proprietor is responsible for the property’s physical maintenance, legal compliance, providing general house rules, establishing general cleanliness guidelines, managing and allocating cleaning schedules, and negotiating and alternating Rooming House Agreement.

6.8.1 The Proprietor does not manage conflict situations that are unrelated to Clause 3 (House Rules).

6.8.2 The Proprietor may issue a friendly reminder to help resolve conflicts between Residents; however, this does not lead to contract termination or legal action unless it relates to Clause 3 (House Rules).

6.8.3 The Proprietor cannot limit an individual’s actions or invade their privacy unless the Resident has seriously breached the contract or house rules, or in cases where access is required for inspections, repairs, or safety purposes as outlined in the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA).

7. Utility

7.1 Electricity Usage: Electricity usage will be shared among Residents and paid regularly based on the agreements between the Proprietor and the energy provider;

7.1.1 A 15% discount on the electricity bill will be applied to the room at Castle Street, Parkside, SA 5063(Property code 43) that does not have a ducted AC.

7.1.2 All the bills are split per Resident, not per room.

7.2 Gas Usage: Gas usage will be covered up to $75 per billing period for each Resident based on the tenancy period. If the gas bill exceeds this coverage, the excess amount will be divided equally among the Residents.

7.2.1 Gas coverage is only available to Residents of premises that have gas. If the premises only have electricity, it does not apply.

7.3 Other Utilities: Except for electricity and gas bills, all other utilities are included in the Rent payments. However, if the utility bills significantly exceed the average amount, additional charges may apply to the Residents.

7.4 Residents are responsible for paying their utilities even if they are away from the property due to travel, business trips, or any other reason.

7.5 The electricity bill is calculated based on the meters in each room and the common areas in the rooming house at 180 Gray Street, Adelaide, SA 5000. Residents are also responsible for paying 5% of the electricity usage for the common areas.

7.6 If a Resident does not pay the utility bill on time, it is treated the same as non-payment of rent and may result in termination or legal action.

8. MISCELLANEOUS

8.1 Female-only accommodation: Designated female-only accommodations are at Castle Street, Parkside, SA 5063 (Property Code 43) and Sydney Street, Glenunga, SA 5064 (Property Code 47) only. The rest of the rooming houses are not designated for a specific gender.

8.1.2 Any male present on the property without proper notification (refer to 3.5) to the

Residents are considered trespassers. In this case, Residents can contact the legal authority

at 131444(non-emergency SA police contact).

8.2 Room transfer: If an existing resident wishes to change rooms during the tenancy, it may be considered as early termination, including switching rooms within the same premises. The resident is responsible for their tenancy and cannot secure a new room before the end of their current tenancy.

8.3 Check-out Condition: Facilities should be left in the same condition as during check-in.

8.4 Room Damages: Residents are responsible for any damage to room features.

8.5 Cleaning Responsibility: Residents must clean their room, ensuite or private bathroom (if applicable), storage, fridge, and furniture before check-out.

8.6 Check-Out Process:

     8.6.1 Check-out time is 10 am on the last day of the tenancy.

     8.6.2 Residents are required to complete the move-out checklist, including photos, within 7 days of their vacate date. Failure to do so may affect or delay the bond return process.

     8.6.3 Any outstanding utility bills and fees may be charged to Residents directly.

8.6.4 Leave the key on the desk and unlock the room door.

     8.6.5 The estimated date for the bond release will be provided by email once all processes

and outstanding balances are finalized.

8.7 Any inappropriate words or actions against the proprietor may result in immediate termination under the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA) and relevant South Australian laws regarding harassment and misconduct.