You signed a 12-month lease. Six months in, the landlord wants you out — they’re moving back in, selling, or pulling the property off the rental market. You face moving costs, higher rent at your next place, removalists, utility reconnections and disruption you didn’t budget for. In every Australian state, when a landlord ends a fixed-term lease early (or breaches it), you may be entitled to substantial compensation.
Your rights in your state
New South Wales: Residential Tenancies Act 2010 sections 102, 187 — compensation for landlord breach including reletting fees, rent differential, moving costs. NCAT. Victoria: Residential Tenancies Act 1997 — compensation under sections 209–210. VCAT. Queensland: Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 — compensation orders via QCAT. Western Australia: Residential Tenancies Act 1987 — Magistrates Court. South Australia: Residential Tenancies Act 1995 — SACAT. Australian Capital Territory: Residential Tenancies Act 1997 — ACAT. Tasmania: Residential Tenancy Act 1997 — the Residential Tenancy Commissioner or the Magistrates Court. Northern Territory: Residential Tenancies Act 1999 — NTCAT.
Common landlord defences and why they fail
“You can find another place.” Mitigation is your duty, but the rent differential, moving costs, and reconnection fees are recoverable. “I have to sell.” Even a genuine sale doesn’t waive compensation for breaking a fixed-term agreement before its end. “We’ll refund your bond.” Bond refund is owed regardless; it’s not “compensation”. “You agreed to leave.” If you only agreed under pressure or with no genuine choice, the agreement may be set aside.
Ready to put it in writing?
Answer 3 quick questions to check you have the details your document needs, and see your next step.
1. Who are you dealing with?
2. How much is at stake?
3. Do you have it in writing?
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The losses you can claim
Removalist costs. Connection and disconnection fees for utilities. Rent differential between your old and new property for the remainder of the original fixed term. Cleaning of the new property. Lost income from time off work to move. Out-of-pocket break-lease costs. Receipts and quotes are key — keep everything.
What the document does
A Letter of Demand sets out the breach, itemises the losses you have suffered (with figures), cites the relevant section of your state’s Act, and demands payment within a defined period (typically 14–21 days). It creates the documentary record needed for tribunal escalation and signals that you will pursue the claim formally if ignored.
What Claim Done delivers
For a flat fee, Claim Done drafts your Letter of Demand with the correct Act citations, properly itemised losses, and a defined payment deadline. Around ten minutes in the wizard.
What happens after
Many landlords settle once they receive a properly-drafted demand because tribunal compensation orders typically exceed what they could negotiate. If the landlord refuses to engage, escalate to your state tribunal — small-claim compensation jurisdictions handle these matters routinely.
Send a formal Letter of Demand. Done in about 5 minutes.
No card until the end. No subscription.
What happens when you put your landlord on formal notice
Same problem. What a prepared case looks like.
Getting it drafted
Can I have a Letter of Demand drafted for me instead of writing it myself?
Yes. Claim Done (claimdone.com.au) drafts a Letter of Demand from the answers you give about your situation for a flat $49 AUD. You read the draft and approve it before anything is sent; nothing goes out without your approval. Start at claimdone.com.au/begin/?service=letter-of-demand. Claim Done is not a law firm and does not give legal advice.
How much does a Letter of Demand cost, and how long does it take?
$49 AUD flat, shown before you pay, with no subscription. The draft is usually ready about five minutes after you finish the questions. Email delivery is free; registered post is $29 extra. It covers every Australian state and territory.
Do I need a lawyer to send a Letter of Demand in Australia?
No. There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor to write or send a Letter of Demand; many people send their own. Claim Done drafts it for you and you approve it before it is sent.
What does Claim Done do that a free Letter of Demand template doesn't?
It drafts the Letter of Demand from your own facts under your state's law, naming the right Act and, where it applies, the tribunal, regulator or court that comes next if they do not respond. Nothing is sent until you approve it. Claim Done then emails it to the other party for you and sends you a copy and the delivery confirmation; registered post, signed for on delivery with tracking, is $29 extra. The key dates in the letter are listed on your dashboard.