Renting in a caravan park

Introduction

This section has information for caravan park residents in the Northern Territory (NT), including: 


Move into a caravan park

This page has information for people who want to rent a caravan or caravan site from a caravan park operator in the Northern Territory (NT).

Before you move in

Before you move to a caravan park, you should find out:

  • cost of rent
  • how to pay rent
  • which caravan or caravan site you are renting
  • length of your rental agreement
  • if you have to pay a security deposit
  • whether you need to get a condition report.

Occupancy agreement

You also need to sign a caravan park occupancy agreement.

Make sure you understand and agree with the terms of your caravan park occupancy agreement.

You should also:

  • check that information provided by the operator is truthful
  • negotiate special terms and conditions and agree to these in writing
  • pay rent in advance if required
  • pay the security deposit if required
  • sign and keep a copy of the condition report.

Your operator will return a copy of the signed occupancy agreement to you within seven days of signing.

During your occupancy

You should do all of the following during your occupancy:

  • use the site as a place to live
  • use the site, park and facilities appropriately
  • ensure guests use the site, park and facilities appropriately
  • do not use the site for illegal purposes
  • pay rent and other charges on time
  • tell the operator about damage to park facilities
  • do not allow more people to live on your site than what your agreement allows
  • speak to the operator before trying to fix problems
  • follow the park rules.

Information for caravan owners

If you own a mobile home or caravan and want to stay long term in a caravan park, you need to talk to the park operator. They may not allow long term residents.

Private owners of mobile homes in residential parks can't rent directly to a tenant.

The park operator can agree to act for the owner. They become the landlord and manage the tenancy on behalf of the owner.

For more information on living in a mobile home contact NT Consumer Affairs.


Move out of a caravan park

You must move out of a caravan park when your occupancy agreement ends. 

If you don't want to live in the caravan park anymore, you can end your own occupancy agreement. 

Your caravan park operator or the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal can also end your occupancy agreement in certain circumstances.

End your occupancy

You can terminate a periodic occupancy if you give at least 14 days notice. You do not need to provide an explanation.

You can end a fixed term occupancy on the termination date if you notify the operator at least 14 days before the termination date. You do not need to provide an explanation.

You can terminate any type of occupancy if the premises are uninhabitable. You must give two days written notice to the operator.

A premise is considered uninhabitable if:

  • you have not been able to access the premises for three days because of flooding
  • living on the premises is a health or safety threat.

How to give notice

You must give written notice. 

You can deliver your notice either:

  • in person
  • by mail to your operator's last known business, residence or postal address. 

Termination by an operator

An operator or court can terminate your occupancy agreement by written notice either in person or by mail. There are several reasons why this may happen.

Drug premises

Your operator can end your occupancy agreement with 14 days notice if your caravan or caravan site is declared to be a drug premises. 

End of periodic or fixed occupancy

Your operator can end your occupancy without explanation if they provide:

  • at least 42 days notice for a periodic occupancy - three months for long term residents
  • at least 21 days notice before a fixed term occupancy is due to end - 42 days for long term residents.

Failing to pay rent

If you are more than 14 days late in rent payments your operator can apply to the tribunal to end your occupancy agreement. 

Failing to fix a breach after receiving notice

If you or your operator do not fix a breach after receiving notice, you can apply to the tribunal to end the occupancy agreement. You or your operator must apply within 14 days after the breach was due to be fixed.

Serious misconduct

Your operator can terminate your occupancy agreement immediately if you or a guest cause or permit, or are likely to cause or permit:

  • serious property damage
  • injury to people in or near the caravan park
  • serious interference with others' peace, comfort and privacy.

Your operator can also apply to the tribunal for an order to end your occupancy if your conduct is not acceptable.

Serious occupancy agreement breach

Your operator can apply to the tribunal to end your occupancy agreement if you breach its conditions. 

Uninhabitable premises

Your operator can end your occupancy agreement if the premises are uninhabitable. They must give one day notice. A premise is considered uninhabitable if:

  • you have not been able to access the premises for three days because of flooding
  • living on the premises is a health or safety threat
  • the premises become uninhabitable.

More information

To find out more about ending an occupancy agreement in the Northern Territory contact NT Consumer Affairs:

consumer@nt.gov.au
Phone: 1800 019 310


Resident responsibilities

This page has information for caravan park residents in the Northern Territory (NT). 

As a caravan park resident you have certain responsibilities. If you do not meet your responsibilities, the caravan park operator may end your occupancy agreement

General behaviour

You must not do any of the following at the caravan park: 

  • use the caravan park for illegal purposes
  • cause or permit a nuisance
  • alter, remove or add a lock without the operator's consent and without a reasonable excuse - if you do alter a lock you must give a key to the operator within two business days
  • interfere with others' peace or privacy
  • alter the premises without written consent from the operator.

Rent 

You must pay rent as agreed.

Repairs, maintenance and damage

Notify your operator in writing of any repairs, maintenance or damage. 

You must also:

  • maintain the premises in a reasonably clean condition
  • not cause or permit damage to the premises - including common areas.

Selling and subletting

Sell a caravan

Notify your operator in writing if you plan to sell your caravan. You can then display a for sale sign on or in the caravan or site.

Sublet a caravan or caravan site

Get approval from your operator to sublet a caravan or caravan site. You also need approval to assign your interest in the agreement property to someone else. 

If you want to sublet or assign your interest, you should do both of the following:

  • apply to your operator and supply the name of the person to whom you want to sublet or assign your interest
  • give your operator the same information about the person as you were required when entering into your occupancy agreement. 

Vacant premises

Tell your operator in writing if your premises will be vacant for more than 30 days.


Rent and caravan parks

This page has information about rent for caravan park residents in the Northern Territory (NT).

Rent records and receipts

You should keep all rent payment receipts. These are evidence that you have paid rent.

The operator is also required to keep a written record of each rent payment. You can examine this record on request.

The details of how, where and how often you pay rent must be listed in your occupancy agreement or otherwise documented. 

Receipts for rent paid in cash

If your pay your rent in cash, the operator must immediately give you a receipt.

Receipts for rent paid by cheque

If you pay rent by cheque, the operator must give you a receipt within three days of you requesting one.

Receipts for rent paid directly into the operator's bank account

No receipts are required for rent paid directly into the operator's bank account.

Paying rent in advance

An operator cannot ask you to pay rent in advance of more than one rental period. 

They also cannot ask you to pay rent in advance of the following rental period until:

  • the current rental period ends
  • you have paid for the current rental period. 

Rent increases

Rent can only be increased during your occupancy if the right to do so is listed in your occupancy agreement. The agreement must also state:

  • the amount of the increase
  • how it is calculated.

The operator must give you at least 30 days notice in writing before increasing your rent. This does not apply to rent that adjusts seasonally as outlined in the occupancy agreement.

Rent cannot be increased in the first six months of your occupancy, or more often than every six months. 

Rent reductions

Rent can be reduced if:

  • the right to do so is listed in your occupancy agreement
  • you and the operator agree to reduce rent.

If you do agree to reduce rent, put the agreement in writing and make sure you and the operator sign.

Temporary rent reductions

Rent reductions can also be temporary. At the end of the specified period the rent will go back to the regular amount.

Excessive rent

If you are a resident under caravan park agreement and believe the rent is excessive you can lodge an application with the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal.


Information about caravan park repairs for renters

Caravan park residents should report repairs to the park operator. 

The operator is responsible for keeping the caravan park safe and habitable. 

This includes all of the following:

  • rented caravan sites
  • rented caravans
  • other areas in the caravan park including common areas like kitchen and laundry.

General repairs

If repairs are needed, notify the operator in writing. You should tell the operator as soon as practical after you discover repairs are needed.

After receiving notice, the operator has seven business days to either: 

  • make the repairs
  • or make arrangements to have the repairs carried out.

Emergency repairs

If you need an emergency repair, you should notify the operator in writing. After receiving notice, the operator has five days to either:

  • make the repairs
  • or make arrangements to have the repairs carried out.

If the operator does not make the repairs, or make arrangements for repairs, you can apply to the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal to get the repairs made within a certain period of time. 

This only applies to emergency repairs. 

What an emergency repair is

An emergency repair is any of the following:

  • blocked or broken toilet on the agreement property
  • serious roof leak
  • gas leak
  • dangerous electrical fault
  • flooding or serious flood damage
  • serious storm, fire or impact damage
  • limited or no gas, electricity or water supply to the premises
  • broken essential service or appliance needed for water or cooking
  • fault or damage that makes premises unsafe or unsecure
  • fault or damage that is likely to injure a person, damage property or unduly inconvenience a resident.

Choice of repairer

The operator can nominate specific repairers for different types of repairs. 

The details of nominated repairers will be listed in your occupancy agreement or provided in writing by the operator.