Starting a Tenancy
Consumer Affairs Victoria
- Before signing the lease
- Easy English fact sheet – Beginning a tenancy
- New tenant checklist
- Paying rent and rent in advance
- Utilities, telephone, internet and television
- Deposits and guarantees
- Condition report
- Lodging the bond
- Starting and ending a tenancy video
Tenants Union of Victoria
- Starting a tenancy
- Applying for private rental
- Shared households
- Assignment and subletting
- Property inspection checklist
During a tenancy
Consumer Affairs Victoria
- Rent responsibilities and increases
- Repairs, maintenance and changes to the property
- Landlord or agent's right to enter the property
- Safety advice for tenants and residents
- Increasing capacity in a rooming house room
- Changing the rental agreements in violent situations
- When a tenant or landlord breaks the rules
- Resolving renting disputes
Tenants Union of Victoria
- Rent increase
- Privacy as a tenant
- Your landlord is selling
- Pets and your tenancy
- Utility charges
- Avoiding eviction for rent arrears
- Family violence and your tenancy
Top tenancy issues for students
Renting out your room while away on exchange or holiday
We are aware that many students like to lessen the financial burden whilst away on exchange or extended holidays by renting out their room/property here in Melbourne however, there are things that you need to be aware of:-
- It is a breach of Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (RTA) to sublet without your landlord’s written consent.
- The arrangement may mean that you become a landlord under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (RTA)
- Letting out rental properties entails significant legal responsibilities for the lessor (you) and it is possible that you may not be able to legally regain possession of the rented premises/room upon your return.
- If you take a bond it may have to be lodged with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA). There are significant penalties for failing to lodge a bond when required.
- Avoid the pitfalls by finding out where you stand according to the Residential Tenancies Act
If you receive rent from a tenant, it may be considered income for Centrelink purposes and/or tax purposes.
Share house disputes
The Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) does not prescribe remedies to settle disputes between housemates in a share house (co-tenancy). The TUV have a useful document on Shared Households facts – read this to help avoid issues arising in your share house.
If you need assistance to settle a dispute in your share house, it may be useful to get some advice or mediation. Contact a Student Housing adviser or the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria. The University's Counselling and Psychological Services can also help.
Should you require additional advice or guidance please book an appointment with one of our friendly housing advisers.
Ending a tenancy
Consumer Affairs Victoria
- If the tenant or resident wants to leave
- If the landlord or owner wants the tenant to leave
- Transferring the bond from one tenant to another
- Claiming the bond - tenants and residents
- Goods left behind by tenants
- If a tenant abandons the property
Tenants Union of Victoria
- when you want to leave
- ending a tenancy
- eviction
- goods left behind
- change of address checklist
- tenant databases or “blacklists”
Student Housing
When your lease is coming to an end and/or you want to leave a property, there are steps that you need to take and things you must do in order to get your bond back and avoid additional costs. Read our moving out guide.
Resources and support
Consumer Affairs Victoria has information about renting and you can download:
- Rent Right app
- Beginning a tenancy – easy English fact sheet
- Ending a tenancy – easy English fact sheet
Tenants Union of Victoria (TUV) provide free advice to tenants via their website. They also offer drop-in, phone and email services.
Contact us for advice if you have further questions regarding these topics or any other housing-related issues.