What a lease transfer is
- Step 1 of 5: Apply for Lease TransferThe applicant submits an application.
- Step 2 of 5: Screening by the outgoing tenantSummary only. They cannot select anyone.
- Step 3 of 5: Send to landlord / managing agentThe invited person signs in with the invited e-mail address and accepts.
- Step 4 of 5: Applicant agrees to shareWith that named person only.
- Step 5 of 5: Landlord / managing agent decides"Select this applicant (in PlaceNest)" or "Mark unsuccessful".
Outcome: Selected (in PlaceNest) or Unsuccessful. When the advertisement is closed it shows "No longer available". Any formal transfer happens through the landlord's or agent's tenancy process.
If a managing agent or owner/landlord advertised the transfer, they review and decide from the start.
A lease transfer advertisement looks for someone to "Take over the whole lease" or to "Replace a tenant — private room / shared room". It shows the current weekly rent, the proposed transfer date and, if known, when the current lease ends.
Important: Any lease transfer or tenant replacement is subject to the landlord's or agent's approval and the applicable tenancy process. PlaceNest does not approve transfers or change a tenancy. Check your lease and talk to your landlord or agent before you advertise.
Advertising a lease transfer
Choose "List Transfer" (on the Lease Transfer page or the home page — the form is headed "List a Lease Transfer") and answer "Who is advertising this lease transfer?": Current tenant, Property owner / landlord, or Managing real estate agent. Your answer is shown as stated by you. PlaceNest has not verified your relationship to the property, and the answer is not landlord or agent approval.
From the manage page you can publish, renew for 42 days, mark it no longer available, withdraw it or relist it, and open "Applications for this lease transfer".
How a lease transfer application works
- The applicant chooses "Apply for Lease Transfer" and submits an application.
- If the current tenant advertised it (or did not say who they are), the outgoing tenant screens: they see a summary only, never the applicant's contact details, income, referees or documents. They can shortlist, ask for more information about household, living situation or other information, or "Do not progress". They cannot select anyone.
- To go further, the outgoing tenant must use "Send to landlord / managing agent". The invited person signs in with the invited e-mail address and accepts, and the applicant must agree to share with that named person.
- The landlord or managing agent then reviews the full application, may ask for more information, and decides: "Select this applicant (in PlaceNest)" or "Mark unsuccessful".
- If a managing agent or owner/landlord advertised the transfer, they review and decide from the start. A managing agent may also send it to the property owner for consideration; the owner records a preference only and the agent keeps the decision.
Important: PlaceNest does not verify anyone's ownership, agency or authority over the property. Accepting an invitation only confirms control of an e-mail address.
What "Selected (in PlaceNest)" means
"Selected (in PlaceNest)" means the reviewer holding the decision on this application chose it in PlaceNest.
Important: It is not a confirmed landlord or managing-agent approval, and it does not transfer or create a tenancy. The formal transfer, and any bond changes, happen through the applicable tenancy process with the landlord or agent. When the advertisement is closed its outcome shows as "No longer available", never "Transferred".
Tenancy documents for a lease transfer
After selection, the person holding the decision can start tenancy documents for ACT and NSW properties. They must choose a legal pathway that fits the facts.
- Change under the existing tenancy
- For example a transfer of the whole tenancy with the landlord's written consent, a new co-tenant joining, or a co-tenant leaving. This creates a Tenancy change record.
- A new tenancy agreement
- A new agreement with the incoming tenant or tenants, plus an entry condition report.
Each pathway shows its statutory basis, consent rules and bond notes. Which one applies depends on your situation; check the official tenancy information for the ACT or NSW, or get independent advice.
Where PlaceNest cannot confirm the landlord's or managing agent's authority, tenancy documents for the lease transfer are not available. The application page explains this, and the transfer is arranged outside PlaceNest.
This guide explains how PlaceNest works. It is general information, not legal advice. For your rights and obligations, check the official tenancy information for your state or territory or get independent advice.