Share house living has been part of the Australian rental landscape for many years.

Sharing a home with friends can make renting a much more affordable, and often fun, option for people.

But not all share houses start out that way. What happens if you are already renting a property and want one or more of your mates to shift in?

According to the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA), sub-letting is where one or more occupants are named on the tenancy agreement and they then establish a sub-tenancy agreement with other people – either verbally or in writing – for the right to occupy part or all of the home.

“Sub-letting is allowed as long as the owner of the property has given written consent before the sub-lease goes ahead,” RTA general manager Fergus Smith says.

“Once the formal okay has been given, the original tenant – now the head tenant – may sub-let the property. In doing so, however, the head tenant then becomes the landlord to the sub-tenant and is bound by the same rules and regulations as any landlord.”

The Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) and the RTA are working together to better explain your rights and responsibilities when renting in Queensland.

REIQ Sunshine Coast zone chair Jean Hamer says once a property has been sub-let, a bond can be collected.

“The head tenant is allowed to collect a bond, although this is not compulsory. If a bond is collected, it must be lodged with the RTA within 10 days and a receipt issued to the sub-tenant.

“The head tenant has effectively entered into a rental agreement with the sub-tenant as per any rental agreement.

“It is important that anyone contemplating sub-letting weigh up all options before going ahead.”

For more information on renting in Queensland go to www.rta.qld.gov.au.

REIQ accredited agencies are now displaying their 2008 REIQ logos. To find out if your agency is accredited, go to www.reiq.com.au.