South Australia’s Minimum Housing Standards: What Landlords Need to Know
In South Australia, all residential rental properties must meet the Minimum Housing Standards set by the Housing Safety Authority (HSA). These standards aim to ensure that every home is safe, secure and comfortable, setting a clear baseline for what’s considered a liveable property.
Whether you’re a landlord preparing your investment property or a tenant wanting to understand your rights, this guide provides a straightforward overview of what’s expected under the SA rental property compliance laws.
To make them easier to navigate, we’ve broken down the standards into sections below. Click each heading to expand and view the specific standards that apply.
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Continuous supply of electricity
Each electrical installation, alteration, relocation, repair or maintenance must be compliant with relevant law
Each gas installation, alteration, relocation, repair or maintenance must be compliant with relevant law
Maintained so not to present a fire hazard
Fitted with smoke alarms in compliance with relevant law
Must be free from materials or substances that pose a serious risk or harm to the health of occupants, e.g., disturbed or damaged asbestos
Each internal wall and ceiling must be constructed from rigid material
Ceiling height must be compliant with relevant law
Stairs including the risers and goings and any landings, balustrades and handrails must be compliant with relevant law
Footings providing effective structural support
Reasonably draught proof and weatherproof
Reasonably free from mould or other irritants
Reasonably free from the adverse effects of moisture or damp
Have effective drainage
Reasonably free and unimpeded access and egress in event of emergency
Maintained to prevent the accumulation of rubbish
Maintained to prevent vermin infestation
Swimming pool must be compliant with relevant law
The residential premises must have a clothesline, clothes dryer or some other clothes drying facility
It is recommended that a fish pond is fenced by at least using fencing mesh with holes no greater than 100mm.
A body of water does not need to be made compliant unless it is deeper than 300mm
Stairs/ elevation 1m or over need railing to be installed.
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External doors must be fitted with a lock that can be operated with a key on the outside and unlocked from the inside without a key
External windows that can be opened must be fitted with a latch
Ability to safely screen visitors, e.g., a suitably placed window, lockable screen door, peep-hole, security chain or intercom system
External light fitting
Bedroom windows must have a curtain or blind capable of being opened and closed by the resident*
*Additional standards for rooming houses. Rooming houses are residential properties where rooms are available for rent to three or more unrelated people.
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A kitchen sink
An oven and cooktop
Adequate bench space for food preparation
A food storage cupboard or pantry in or within reasonable proximity of the kitchen
Must be configured for ease of movement and access to the facilities
Must have adequate waterproofing in walls and floor
Must have hot and cold plumbed running water
Water from kitchen sink must be suitable for drinking
Must be plumbed to a drainage system capable of disposing all sewage and wastewater
Have at least one electric light fixture
Reasonably sufficient electrical power points
Must be adequately ventilated
Must be adequately lit
Ratio of 1:10 residents*
*Additional standards for rooming houses. Rooming houses are residential properties where rooms are available for rent to three or more unrelated people.
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Have at least one electric light fixture
Reasonably sufficient electrical power points
Must be adequately ventilated
Must be adequately lit
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Have at least one electric light fixture
Reasonably sufficient electrical power points
Must be adequately ventilated
Must be adequately lit
Must have a minimum floor space of 7.5m2*
Bedroom doors must be fitted with a lock that can be operated with a key on the outside and unlocked from the inside without a key*
Have at least two electrical power points*
*Additional standards for rooming houses. Rooming houses are residential properties where rooms are available for rent to three or more unrelated people.
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A toilet
A bath or shower
A hand basin
Must be configured for ease of movement and access to the facilities
Must have adequate privacy to someone using the facilities
Toilet doors must not open directly into a room used or intended to be used for food storage, preparation, cooking or consumption, unless ventilated by an exhaust fan or similar
Must have adequate waterproofing in walls and floor
Must have hot and cold plumbed running water to bath
Must have cold plumbed running water to toilet
Must be plumbed to a drainage system capable of disposing all sewage and wastewater
Have at least one electric light fixture
Reasonably sufficient electrical power points
Must be adequately ventilated
Must be adequately lit
Doors to each toilet and bathroom must be fitted with a lock that can be operated only from the inside without a key*
Ratio of 1:10 residents*
*Additional standards for rooming houses. Rooming houses are residential properties where rooms are available for rent to three or more unrelated people.
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A laundry wash trough or basin must be provided
Space and a designated water supply outlets within immediate vicinity for a washing machine
A wastewater discharge pipe for a washing machine
Must have cold plumbed running water supply outlet
Must be configured for ease of movement and access to the facilities
Must have adequate waterproofing in walls and floor
Must have hot and cold plumbed running water
Must be plumbed to a drainage system capable of disposing all sewage and wastewater
Have at least one electric light fixture
Reasonably sufficient electrical power points
Must be adequately ventilated
Must be adequately lit
Ratio of 1:10 residents*
*Additional standards for rooming houses. Rooming houses are residential properties where rooms are available for rent to three or more unrelated people.
Why it matters
Complying with the South Australian Minimum Housing Standards is more than just meeting legal requirements.
For landlords, ensuring your investment property meets the SA rental property compliance laws reduces the risk of disputes, penalties, or costly repairs down the track. It also helps protect the long-term value of your investment and demonstrates your commitment to providing a well-maintained property, attracting higher-quality tenants and stronger rental returns.
For tenants, the standards provide peace of mind that your home is high-quality, safe, secure and functional.
Investing with confidence
At Key and Stone Property, we manage and maintain a diverse range of residential and commercial properties across South Australia. Our team ensures every property we manage is compliant with the latest regulations, from safety standards to maintenance schedules, so both landlords and tenants can feel confident and secure.
If you’d like support bringing your property up to standard or need advice on the new housing requirements, get in touch with the Key and Stone Property team. We're here to support you every step of the way.
Readers should seek independent legal advice tailored to their specific circumstances. Key and Stone Property Pty Ltd do not accept any liability for the accuracy or applicability of the information provided herein. This article is intended as a general guide only. The information contained here is correct at the time of publication and based on details available from the Housing Safety Authority. Requirements may change, so we recommend visiting the official website — housingsafetyauthority.sa.gov.au/minimum-housing-standards — to view the most up-to-date information.