Thousands of tenants and landlords turn to the Tenancy Tribunal each year to resolve disputes. In the September quarter alone, over 7,000 applications were lodged, with rent arrears, bond refunds, tenancy terminations, and compensation claims being the most frequent issues.

Rent Arrears Dominate Cases

Rent arrears accounted for 4,484 applications—more than 60% of all cases. Some disputes involve significant unpaid amounts; in one instance, a tenant was ordered to pay over $10,000 to avoid eviction.

Bond Refund Challenges

Nearly 3,000 applications were related to bond refunds. Disagreements often arise over property conditions or unpaid rent at the end of a tenancy.

Termination and Possession Disputes

More than 2,500 cases involved tenancy terminations or possession issues. For example, the Tribunal recently upheld a landlord’s possession rights after a tenant tried to retract their notice to vacate.

Compensation Claims

Compensation disputes are also common, with tenants seeking damages for issues like improper notices or retaliatory actions. In one case, a tenant received $2,000 in damages due to a landlord’s retaliation.

Tribunal Delays

Hearing delays remain a concern, with landlords and tenants often waiting 4-6 weeks or longer to schedule a Tribunal hearing.