Have You Been Blacklisted On Residential Tenancy Databases?

As part of the selection process, the information supplied by prospective tenants is checked by property managers. Just like when you send a resume out applying for a job, you put your best foot forward. There are a number of tools a property manager has access to however, which can significantly impair your chances of being a successful candidate. If you’ve been late paying your rent in the past, if you haven’t received your bond back at the end of a tenancy period and still owed a previous landlord rent, there is a possibility that you appear on one of the Residential Tenancy Databases which means you have been Blacklisted!

These databases are privately owned commercial databases and contain information about a tenants rental history if they have been added. Subject to the provisions in Part 5A of the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA), they are now regulated to ensure that the information is accurate and complete because information held on such databases can have serious consequences for a person applying to rent a property in Adelaide.

Information can be listed o Residential Tenancy Databases when a residential tenancy agreement has ended and when the tenant has breached the agreement (typically by not paying their rent on time) and where the breach results in the person owing the landlord an amount that is more than the bond, or the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) has made an order terminating the residential tenancy agreement at the landlord’s/property manager’s request.

National Tenancy Database (owned by Equifax)

You can email info@ntd.net.au for a free copy of your file, which should arrive within 14 working days of your details being verified.

Tica

This service provides access to your online tenancy file for one year for $55 (or by mail for $19.80). The report included a search of the tenancy database and its “enquiries” database.

Both Residential Tenancy Databases, Equifax and Tica also have “enquiries” databases they search when compiling their tenancy reports. These databases, show when a property manager or real estate agent has searched for a tenant in the tenancy database, and provide information such as the date the search was conducted and the agencies name.

In addition to the search of their tenancy database, database services can provide information from a range of publicly available data sources such as:

• Court judgments, writs and summonses
• The Australian Financial Security Authority bankruptcy register
• Any available information on your visa status (if applicable)
• ASIC directorship databases.

This information is used to help landlords and property managers conduct real-time identity verification checks and factual information about a potential tenants past rental history.
Take a look at How Salvan Selects Tenants so you can be better prepared and increase your chances.
At Salvan Property Management, we encourage frank and open communication with tenants. If you are having legitimate financial problems, it’s in your interest to be upfront about the issue, rather than not paying your rent and avoid discussing what’s happening.
The result of that can have you blacklisted, appear on residential tenancy databases and then struggle to be a considered as a tenant in the future.