Use of third-party apps for tenancy transactions

Paying rent using a third-party rent app

Landlords or agents may provide tenants with the option to pay rent using a third-party rental app. However, tenants cannot be required to use a third-party app, or any specified service or business to pay their rent.

Tenants should check whether using a third-party rent payment app (if they choose to do so) will result in any additional costs or fees.

In some cases, disclosure of fees or benefits to tenants may be required. Find out more information about disclosure requirements. 

Landlords and agents must offer tenants certain ways to pay their rent that do not involve additional fees, outside of what the tenant's bank would usually charge them

Other uses of third party apps

Landlords and agents cannot require a tenant to use a particular service provider, such as a third-party app, to fulfil any of the tenant’s obligations. This includes other obligations relating to the property, such as reporting repairs.

Landlords and agents can still offer a third-party app to the tenant as an option, but cannot make the tenant use the app. 

Renting apps and privacy

Organisations that trade in personal information or that have an annual turnover of over $3 million must comply with Federal privacy laws which includes laws about the collection, use and disclosure of personal information.

The Australian Privacy Principles also provide best practice guidance for managing personal information and can be used by a landlord, agent and other organisations to understand how best to treat personal information, even if they are not required to comply.

Under the Property and Stock Agents Regulation 2022, 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.