Tenancy databases
Listed on TICA? Here's how to fight it.
Tenancy databases (TICA, NTD, TRA) record allegedly bad tenants. Being listed can effectively make you unrentable. The rules on who can be listed — and how — are tighter than most landlords think.
Plain-English summary.
You can only be listed if you owed money or there was an NCAT termination order. The landlord must give you 14 days notice before listing you. Most attempted listings don't meet the requirements — and listings that don't can be ordered removed.
When a landlord CAN list you
s.213All of these must be true:
- You owed money under the tenancy that exceeds the bond, OR
- NCAT made a termination order against you, AND
- The listing relates to personal information about a breach of the agreement that occurred during the tenancy.
Steps the landlord MUST take first
s.215Even where the grounds exist, the listing isn't valid unless they:
- Notify you in writing of their intention to list you (s.215).
- Tell you the database operator's name and contact details.
- Give you at least 14 days to review and respond to the proposed listing.
- Only proceed if your response doesn't resolve the issue.
What is NOT grounds for listing
None of these justify a tenancy database listing:
- Asking for repairs.
- Making a complaint to the landlord or agent.
- Disputing an unreasonable rent increase.
- Refusing access where notice wasn't given.
- Late rent that was later paid in full (without going to NCAT).
- Damage already covered by the bond.
Check your own file
You have a statutory right to request your own listing from any database operator. They must respond within a reasonable time. Do this before any rental application so you know what agents will see.
TICA
1902 220 346 · tica.com.au
A fee applies. You can request your own report by phone or via their website.
NTD (National Tenancy Database)
1300 563 826 · ntd.net.au
Owned by Equifax. Free 'consumer file' available on request.
TRA (Trading Reference Australia)
1300 695 866 · tradingreference.com
Less commonly used; same statutory right to access your file.
Dispute a listing
Get a copy of your listing
Call the database operator. Ask for your full file including the reason for listing and the listing landlord/agent's name.
Check the grounds
Did you actually owe money exceeding the bond, or was there an NCAT termination order? If not, the listing is invalid.
Check the notice
Were you given 14 days written notice before being listed? If not, the listing is invalid regardless of the merits.
Write to the landlord/agent
Demand they remove the listing within 14 days, citing the specific failure (e.g. no valid prescribed ground in the underlying notice, missing 14-day pre-listing notice to you, listing for an amount under the bond, listing more than 3 years after the breach). Keep proof of sending.
If they refuse: apply to NCAT
Apply for an order under s.214 that the listing be amended or removed. NCAT can also order the landlord to compensate you for damage caused by an unjust listing.
If the listing is true but you've now paid
You can ask for the listing to be marked as 'amount paid' or removed under the operator's own policies, even if it was originally valid. Persistence often works.
Listed unfairly?
Build the NCAT pack.
If a landlord listed you without proper grounds or notice, NCAT can order the listing removed and (in some cases) compensation. Our NCAT tool builds the chronology, evidence index, and application.
Build NCAT pack →