Rent Increase Notice Australian Capital Territory
The ACT requires 56 days notice and has NO 12-month cap - but increases above the prescribed amount (CPI rents x 1.1) require tenant consent or an ACAT order.
ACT rent-increase rules at a glance
- Minimum notice
- 56 days
- Frequency cap
- No statutory cap (prescribed-amount test applies)
- Prescribed form
- Recommended: Notice of rent increase (must comply with Standard Residential Tenancies Terms clause 64)
- Dispute body
- ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT)
Statutory source: Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (ACT), s.68
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How ACT rent increases work
ACT rent increase rules are governed by the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (ACT) and the Standard Residential Tenancies Terms. The ACT is the only Australian jurisdiction without a 12-month frequency cap - but it imposes a "prescribed amount" test (Canberra rents-CPI x 1.1) above which the increase requires consent or ACAT approval.
What the notice MUST include
- Tenant name(s) and rental property address
- Current rent and proposed new rent
- Effective date (at least 56 days / 8 weeks from service)
- Method of calculation if relying on the prescribed amount (CPI rents component x 1.1)
- Landlord or agent name and signature
ACT-specific quirks
ACT is uniquely structured: there is NO 12-month statutory frequency cap. INSTEAD, an increase above the "prescribed amount" (Canberra rents-CPI x 1.1 since the last increase) requires either the tenant's written consent OR an ACAT order made at least 2 weeks before the effective date. Increases at or below the prescribed amount can proceed with 8 weeks (56 days) notice.
Fixed-term vs periodic agreements
During a fixed-term agreement, rent can only be increased if the agreement allows it (the standard terms permit one increase per 12-month period). Periodic agreements follow the 56-day notice + prescribed-amount test.
Common landlord mistakes in ACT
- Assuming the standard 12-month cap applies in the ACT (it does not)
- Failing the prescribed-amount test without seeking consent or ACAT approval
- Serving 60 days notice (ACT requires 56, but allow extra for postal service)
- Forgetting that ACAT applications must be filed at least 2 weeks BEFORE the effective date
Common questions
Does the ACT really have no 12-month rent increase cap?
Correct - the ACT is the only Australian jurisdiction without a statutory 12-month frequency cap. Instead the prescribed-amount test (CPI rents x 1.1) caps the size of any increase above the rate of rental inflation.
What is the "prescribed amount" in the ACT?
The Canberra "rents" component of CPI multiplied by 1.1, calculated from the date of the last rent increase. An increase at or below this amount can be served with 56 days notice. An increase above it requires tenant consent or an ACAT order.
How do I get tenant consent for an above-prescribed increase?
In writing, before the effective date. The tenant can withdraw consent if served with conditions or coercion. Always keep a signed paper trail.
How does an ACAT application work?
You apply to ACAT at least 2 weeks before the proposed effective date. ACAT assesses whether the increase is excessive against market rents and the prescribed amount. ACAT can approve, vary, or reject.
How much notice does the ACT require?
56 days (8 weeks) of written notice. This is shorter than most other states but accompanied by the prescribed-amount test, which is unique to the ACT.
Where do I find the current Canberra rents CPI figure?
ABS publishes the Canberra rents component quarterly (CPI 6401.0). Reference the latest available quarter when calculating your prescribed amount.
General information only. This page summarises ACT rent increase rules at the date of last review. It is not legal advice. For a state-compliant notice that auto-fills your tenant, lease, and ACT RTA rules, use Vestly's notice generator. For complex disputes, contact ACT Justice and Community Safety or a tenancy lawyer.
Verified May 2026. Source: ACT Justice and Community Safety.
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