Gozu wrote:Magellan wrote:RustyCage wrote:Are real estates allowed to pass on your mobile number to your landlord?
I've had a quick squiz at the legislation, and I don't think so.
It's an offense for a tenant to give a landlord false information about the tenant's identity or place of occupation, so presumably this info is provided to the landlord at some stage, although the Act doesn't say when. As far as info on the agreement itself, it only has to state the tenant's name. Of course, the tenant get the agent or landlords number.
Do you know how the agent got your number in the first place? Did you voluntarily give it to them?
Every rental I've lived in part of the application process is you have to give the REA your phone number, for obvious reasons. I had always assumed there wouldn't be an issue with the REA then passing your number onto the landlord if required.
Perhaps the question is why does the landlord need the tenant's number if it has engaged a third party to act on its behalf? Understandable that the agent might want your number for communication purposes (and legislation aside, there's no real need for that since they know where you live anyway). The only correspondence that should come from the landlord/agent is to make arrangements regarding the tenant's legal right under the lease, such as when they're inspecting, if and when the lease might be ending, and perhaps reminders re: late rent, and all that can (and probably should) be done formally in writing. On the other hand, a tenant would be entitled to call the agent, such as to make arrangements for emergencies or repairs, and that's why the tenant has to get the landlord's number under the legislation. Keep in mind the landlord has no entitlement to enter the premises under the lease except in strict circumstances.
Of course, if you voluntarily agree to give the agent your number, then so be it. Although you'd need to have been aware that they're not strictly required to obtain it from you in the first place (again, as I read the relevant legislation).