Regional seminars
While renting a property, it is important to have a good understanding of the rules and regulations, especially when it comes to signing a lease or Residential Tenancy Agreement.
This section covers:
Choosing accommodation
Students and others who are renting in Victoria for the first time may find these tips useful.
Sharing a rental property
Students and others may choose to share a rental property. There are two ways this can be done using a lease agreement.
Deciding to rent
Before making the decision to rent a premise, it is important to understand the various rules and regulations that come with the territory.
Rental bonds
When renting a property, you will be asked to pay a bond before moving in. This is a refundable amount of money, and there are rules about how much it should be, who you pay it to and how to retrieve it.
Lease agreements
Covers the legal contract between the tenant and landlord or agent, including the amount of rent to be paid, the method of payment, length of renting time, security bond amount and other conditions and rules.
Paying the rent
Rent must be paid in full and on time. It the majority of cases, the rent is paid in advance and tenants cannot withhold the rent, even if there seems to be a good reason to do so.
Repairs and maintenance
It is the landlord's responsibility to maintain the good repair of a property while it is being rented out.
Sustainable Renting for Tenants
Some simple and cost effective measures which tenants can take to reduce their impact on the environment.
Inspections
There are cases when you can ask Consumer Affairs Victoria for a rent assessment, such as when given a notice of rent increase, which you may not agree with, or when a landlord changes or removes something on the premises that could reduce the property rental value.
Family violence and renting
This page explains the rights and obligations of tenants whose living arrangements have been affected by a family violence safety notice or intervention order.
Ending a tenancy
Landlords and tenants must give notice in writing when they want to end a tenancy. Different periods of notice are required for different situations.
Rights & Obligations
There are rules about when a landlord or agent is allowed to enter a rented property. As a tenant you are entitled to enjoy peace and quiet in the property you rent and you must allow your neighbours peace and quiet in their properties.
Renting definitions
Students and other people who are renting for the first time can find words and concepts confusing. This page provides quick explanations.