Request for a Rent Payment Extension or Discount for Residential Lease

This document is a Request for Rent Payment Extension or Discount for Residential Lease. It may be used by tenants who are experiencing economic hardship, through the loss of their jobs, or reduction of their hours, or any other factors. In this document, a tenant can request, from their landlord, an extension of time to pay their rent, or a reduction of their rent.

If a tenant is experiencing hardship, then in order to maintain a positive relationship with the landlord, it is important to be proactive and to communicate openly about the tenant's inability to pay the rent. Tenants who fail to do this may risk being evicted, and may struggle to get any cooperation from their landlord, for example, if repairs to property are required, or if the tenant needs a rental reference in future.

This document is only intended for use in relation to residential leases. To request a rent payment extension in relation to commercial or retail leases, see our Request for a Rent Payment Extension or Discount for Commercial Lease document.

If the tenant is requesting a rent payment extension or a discount due to the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, use our Request for a Rent Payment Extension or Discount for Residential Lease Due to COVID-19/Coronavirus.

How to use this document

This document asks a few questions about the rent situation and then it auto-populates with a complete letter.

Identifying and contact details of the landlord and tenant are asked, as well as some basic information about the rent, such as when it is due. The person preparing this letter has the option to request an extension of time to pay rent, or a reduction in rent, or both.

After this document is filled out, it should be printed, signed, and copied. One copy may be sent to the landlord and one kept with the tenant. It can also be digitally signed and emailed, which might be more convenient for all parties.

Applicable law

Regarding a landlord's rights when a tenant is late with their rent, different laws may apply to this matter depending on which state or territory the property is located in, and whether the property has been leased for residential, commercial or retail purposes.

Each state and territory also has its own legislation regarding residential tenancies.

Further information or legal assistance, particularly in relation to residential properties is available from consumer affairs offices, tenant unions or tenant advice services in each state and territory. Community legal centres may also provide assistance.

How to modify the template

You fill out a form. The document is created before your eyes as you respond to the questions.

At the end, you receive it in Word and PDF formats. You can modify it and reuse it.