Great question — and to be clear, this isn’t about “subletting”. It’s simply a case of one housemate moving out and another one moving in.

But it’s also not as casual as swapping keys and moving on. If the outgoing housemate is listed on the lease, they remain legally responsible for the rent and property condition until either:

1. A new lease is signed with the incoming housemate or
2. The current lease ends.

Moreover, the new housemate doesn’t have to go on the lease – but it’s in everyone’s best interest if they do.

At the end of the day, if your departing housemate wants to remove themselves from any legal obligation, the incoming tenant should be added to the lease. That means filling out a standard rental application form from your Raine & Horne Property Manager, just like any new tenant would. The landlord or agent then decides whether to approve the change and issue an updated lease.

However, there are exceptions to the rule. In some states, such as Queensland, a new housemate can be approved by the landlord as an “approved occupant” rather than being formally added to the lease. This means they can live at the property but aren’t legally listed on the lease agreement. In this arrangement, the existing tenants effectively become “head tenants” and retain responsibility for the tenancy. The new occupant is still required to complete an application form for the landlord’s approval.

If you can’t find a replacement, the outgoing housemate is still responsible for their share of rent until the lease ends. There are legal ways to break a lease early, but they typically apply to the whole tenancy, not just one person leaving.

If things get messy between housemates, the landlord or property manager typically won’t get involved. However, if needed, tenancy disputes can be escalated to your local tribunal, such as NCAT in NSW.

There are a few other matters to keep in mind when changing housemates such as:

• Bond arrangements: If the outgoing housemate contributed to the bond, it’s up to all parties to sort out their share and how and when it’s repaid — the property manager won’t release part of the bond automatically.
• Room condition check: Do a quick check of the room’s condition when someone leaves and before the new housemate moves in, even if it’s informal. It helps avoid disputes down the track.
• Shared expenses: Make sure the new housemate is clear on their share of rent, bills, and household expenses from day one.

Contact your Raine & Horne Property Manager immediately if one or more housemates plan to move out, so you can work through the next steps together.