Now that you have found a place to stay, you will need to take steps to understand what the law says about renting in Victoria. Both renters and rental providers have certain responsibilities under Victoria’s rental laws: the Residential Tenancies Act 1997.
Whether you are about to start your tenancy, already renting, or planning to leave, you should be familiar with:
Your responsibilities
Your rental provider’s (landlord) responsibilities
To find out more about your legal protections, rights, and responsibilities as a renter in different types of tenancies, visit: Tenants Victoria
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Do you live in Purpose-built student accommodation, Rooming houses/Boarding house, or other tenancy?
Most of the information provided in this section applies to private residential properties. If you live in a different type of housing, this information may not apply to you.
Examples of different tenancies include:
Rooming houses or boarding houses: a building or apartment with 1 or more rooms are for rent and 4 or more people can live.
Purpose-built student accommodation: in Victoria, student accommodation that is owned or affiliated with a university may not covered under the Residential Tenancies Act. If you are living in student accommodation, you may not be protected in the same way other Victorian renters are.
It is important to understand what type of tenancy or residential arrangement you have. Not all residential agreements fall under Victorian rental laws. Your legal protections, rights, and responsibilities can vary depending on what type of residential agreement you have.
Responsibilities of a...
Taking care not to damage the property
Keeping the property reasonably clean
Not using the property for any illegal activities (for example, selling drugs)
Allowing your provider to enter the property on dates and times that you have both agreed on, or if they have given you the proper notice required by the law (for example, to inspect the property)
Making sure the property is in good repair, and that repairs are completed adequately, and on time
Making sure the property is in a reasonably clean condition, and vacant before you move in
Allowing you ‘quiet enjoyment’ of the property (for example, by not entering the property without giving you the required notice)
For more information about you and your rental provider’s legal responsibilities, visit: Tenants Victoria