Hobart tenant's sublet agreement may be unlawful

A tenant in Hobart, named Katie, discovered that her sublet agreement with Arx Pty Ltd might be invalid. She found out that as a "subtenant," she could have no legal rights under Tasmanian law. Katie was looking for a place to live and signed an agreement with Arx, which described itself as a sublandlord. The agreement included unusual clauses, such as a non-disclosure agreement. Despite her concerns, Katie signed the lease, thinking it was her best option. As time went on, Katie noticed some troubling signs. Arx moderated a WhatsApp group for the house, removing comments about maintenance issues, including a leaking ceiling. After seeking legal advice, Katie learned that since Arx didn't occupy the property, the sublet agreement might not be valid. This meant she and other subtenants had no rights or protections. According to legal experts, traditional tenancy agreements include landlords and tenants, but in this case, subtenants were left without legal standing. This situation puts Katie and her housemates in a difficult position; they plan to take their case to court to seek a refund of their rent. Arx responded to these claims, stating they believe their agreements are valid and that they comply with regulations. They called their property management program a "pilot" and mentioned their transition to app development. The Tasmanian government has been aware of the lack of regulation around subtenants and plans to address it. They aim to review the Residential Tenancy Act by mid-2027 to improve protections for renters.