Being familiar with Victorian laws, standards, processes, and resources can help make your transition to a new home easier. A good place to start is the Consumer Affairs Renters Guide. This document outlines what is expected from you and your rental provider, according to Victorian rental laws. The Renters Guide includes information about bonds, maintenance, and rent increases. Your rental provider must give you a copy of the guide at the start of your tenancy.
To find a copy of their Renters Guide, visit: Consumer Affairs Victoria
Rental Agreements/Leases
Visit the link to learn about rental agreements and what they include: Rental Agreements
Condition Reports
A condition report is a record of the condition of a property, both inside and outside, at the start of a rental agreement. This includes information about:
Anything that is damaged or unclean
Safety checks (for example, the date of the last smoke alarm test)
Whether the property has connections to a telephone and/or internet line
For more information about condition reports, visit: Tenants Victoria
Your rental provider must complete and sign the condition report and give you two copies (or one copy, if sending electronically) before you move in. You should check the report to see if everything is accurate. If you disagree with anything in the condition report, you can make your own comments in the ‘renters comments’ sections. You will need to return a copy of your signed and completed condition report to your rental provider within 3-5 business days of moving in.
A condition report can be valuable evidence if there is a dispute (for example, if your rental provider makes a claim against your Bond). You need to be thorough when completing the condition report and take photos of all areas of the property at the start of the rental agreement. You can attach these photos to the condition report. Make sure to include a label and the date the photo was taken. This will protect you if your rental provider tries to claim for damages that were already present before you moved in.
If you did not receive a condition report before commencing your tenancy, you can use the Consumer Affairs Victoria template to complete your own. You will need to give a copy of your signed and completed condition report to your rental provider within 3-5 business days of moving in.
To see the Consumer Affairs Victoria condition report template: Consumer Affairs Victoria
At the end of your tenancy, your rental provider or Agent must complete the ‘Exit Condition Report’ section of the condition report. This must be done within ten days of the end of the rental agreement. Your rental provider must give you a reasonable opportunity to be there when they complete the ‘Exit condition report’ section of the original report. It is recommended that you are present when they do this so you can make sure the report is filled out accurately.
Minimum Standards
For most rental properties, your rental provider must make sure that the property meets basic minimum standards before you move in. Some examples of minimum standards include:
Working sinks and stovetops in the kitchen
Functioning locks on the external entry doors
Working toilets
No mould or damp
The property must be structurally sound and weatherproof
All rental properties must have a fixed heater (not portable) in good working order in the main living area.
For more information about rental minimum standards, visit: Consumer Affairs Victoria
You should inspect the property you want to rent and confirm whether it meets the minimum standards before signing the lease. Click here for more information about inspections.
Your rental provider must disclose whether the property meets the minimum standards before you enter an agreement. Your provider can face penalties if they do not provide this information.
What can I do if my rental home does not meet minimum standards?
If you have not signed a lease you can request that the rental provider makes repairs/changes before signing a lease
If you have signed a lease but haven’t moved in yet you can end your rental agreement, or request that the rental provider make urgent repairs
If you have moved in your rental provider must organise urgent repairs to make sure the property meets minimum standards.