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
NSW: Residential Tenancies Act 2010 sections 102, 187 — compensation for landlord breach including reletting fees, rent differential, moving costs. NCAT. VIC: Residential Tenancies Act 1997 — compensation under sections 209–210. VCAT. QLD: Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 — compensation orders via QCAT. WA: Residential Tenancies Act 1987 — Magistrates Court. SA: Residential Tenancies Act 1995 — SACAT. ACT: Residential Tenancies Act 1997 — ACAT. TAS: Residential Tenancy Act 1997 — RMPAT. NT: 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.
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 $79, 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.