Find or transfer a lease
safely.

Until the landlord approves a new tenant and the lease is formally assigned, you are still responsible for paying rent. Stopping payments before this is done can result in debt, bad references, and tribunal orders against you.

Your landlord cannot unreasonably refuse an assignment, but they must approve the incoming tenant in writing. A verbal agreement is not enough — get it in writing before the incoming tenant pays anything or moves in.

Your bond is at risk if the incoming tenant causes damage and the landlord can't distinguish it from yours. Photograph and video every room thoroughly before the handover. UniRenter's condition walkthrough (Session 27+) will guide both of you through this.

Some leases include a break fee (typically 1–6 weeks rent depending on how far into the lease you are). Check your lease agreement now. If you're unsure, the ACT Tenants Union offers free advice.

Do not accept a deposit, bond transfer, or any money from an incoming tenant before landlord consent is obtained and both parties have completed the condition walkthrough. Accepting money prematurely exposes both of you legally.

Once your listing is live, Cob will guide both you and the incoming tenant through the contact, inspection, landlord consent, condition walkthrough, and key handover stages. You don't need to figure this out alone.

You cannot take over a lease without the landlord's written consent. Both you and the current tenant must get this before any money or keys change hands. A verbal agreement from the outgoing tenant is not enough.

Never pay a bond, deposit, or any money without physically inspecting the property first. Anyone asking for payment before an inspection is a scam. UniRenter arranges inspection contact only — we never facilitate payment.

This is how students lose their entire bond. When you take over a lease, the entry condition report was completed at the start of the original tenancy — not when you move in. When you eventually leave, you'll be judged against that original report.

Before you sign anything:

• → Walk through every room with the outgoing tenant
• → Photograph and video every wall, floor, fixture
• → Compare what you see against the original condition report
• → Never transfer bond money until the condition is documented and agreed

In the ACT, bonds must be lodged with the ACT Revenue Office — not handed to a landlord or outgoing tenant. If anyone asks you to transfer bond money directly to them, that is a scam.

Read the full lease agreement before agreeing to anything. You're inheriting all existing terms — including any obligations the previous tenant had. Understand the lease end date, rent amount, and any special conditions.

Once you connect with a listing, Cob walks both parties through the inspection, condition documentation, landlord consent process, and key handover. The platform keeps your contact details private until you\'re both ready to inspect.