Newborn in a rental

**mamatochompers** · 05-06-2011 17:58

Hi everyone,

We moved into a new rental property about 2 months ago and had a baby last week (yay). We understand that we need to advise the RE agent of the new arrival, but I was wondering, if the landlord doesn't like the fact that we now have one more child than we did when we first signed the lease, are they able to evict us?

Thanks

**Pregnor** · 05-06-2011 18:08

TBH i doubt that they would care! I mean, its not like a baby is going to wreck the house or anything. I lot different to a tenant getting a kitten or a puppy.

I, as a landlord wouldnt care, provided you were still able to pay rent and look after the house.

Congrats on your little bundle!

**Linda01** · 05-06-2011 18:23

When I had my son I asked the agent if we had to advise them and they said no. I thought that was odd but maybe different places have different ways.

**Hollywood** · 05-06-2011 18:26

I work in real estate, have done on and off since 2001, and I've never ever heard of anyone being kicked out because they had a baby.

I rent and am pregnant with #2, due in October, and I just recently told the property manager about the impending arrival. I was a bit nervous as I was pregnant when I applied but not showing so I didn't mention it, but the property manager congratulated me and I haven't heard anything about how the landlord feels so I assume it's all good.

I can't remember the law about this issue verbatim, but from memory I'm pretty sure it would be illegal to evict you based on a new baby arriving. That would be discrimination.

**Travdan** · 05-06-2011 19:44

Yes, it is illegal to discriminate against children.

**nothanksbye** · 05-06-2011 19:50

I have never informed a landlord of a new baby.

**drewid** · 05-06-2011 19:56

I have a rental inspection about 2 months before this one is due, so my property manager will no doubt notice the big belly! But other than that, the only thing I will be doing is sending him an email after bub is born, so he can add the name onto our lease agreement, as the rest of our family members are named on it.

I can't see as it would make any difference to property managers or landlords, as long as you are paying your rent and keeping up the property as per usual. I can't imagine any circumstances where it would negatively impact your ability to keep renting a property. In fact, it should be a good thing, because having a family means you would most likely want a longer term rental and a more stable living arrangement, so therefore you are a better tenant!

**Annabella** · 05-06-2011 20:17

I've never even thought to tell the landlord when I had a baby.

**sunshinebub** · 13-06-2011 19:46

I am a property manager, under the Anti Discrimination Act, you cannot discrimate against children. What we would do would be to add the baby as an approved occupant on the lease....

**MermaidSister** · 18-06-2011 19:51

I went and asked the agent when I was pregnant with my first about that as I was living alone at the time in a one bedroom apartment. He just went, "That's fine" and never mentioned it again. (I moved it with my partner shortly after anyway, but thought it was best to cover all bases in case things didn't work out- cynic that I am!)

I haven't told my landlord now about my daughter though, as I already had one child when I moved in and worry they will say that's too many people for a one-bedroom house. I really can't afford a 2-bedder unless I move to the sticks. My brain says it's a stupid thing to worry about, especially as they knew I had a one year old when they approved the initial application, so if they were going to discrimminate against me on the basis of being a parent I guess they would have done it then.

Deep down I think I'm actually more concerned about judgement for bringing another child into an already less than ideal situation! But she's been here 18 months and I have never been late with a rental payment so meh to that