Stress-Free Property Management

1st months rent is paid in advance, meaning the tenant pays for the first month of their tenancy upfront. The rental period officially begins on the lease start date, and rent will be due on the same date each month going forward. The bond is a security deposit — usually equivalent to one month's rent (unless the rent exceeds $900/week, in which case more may be requested). The Bond is then lodged with The Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA). This Is held for the duration of the tenancy and can only be accessed at the end of the tenancy if there are unpaid rent, damages, or cleaning issues.

Under the current legislation, rent can now only be increased once every 12 months, rather than every 6 months as previously permitted. When issuing a rent increase, the Rental Provider must also provide justification outlining how the new amount was determined.

A Notice to Vacate is a formal written notice that a Rental Provider must issue when ending a tenancy. It can only be given for specific reasons permitted under Victorian rental laws.

You can issue a Notice to Vacate if the renter is more than 14 days behind in rent, has caused damage to the property, failed to comply with a VCAT order, or has engaged in threatening or intimidating behaviour. In serious cases like damage or aggression, a 14-day notice can now be used.

Yes, but only at the end of the tenant's initial lease agreement. If you plan to move back into the property at the end of the lease, this must be included in the additional terms of the lease and supported with evidence. Once the lease becomes periodic or is renewed, this type of notice no longer applies. After receiving an end-of-fixed-term notice, tenants may choose to vacate earlier by giving 14 days' notice.

If a renter damages your property, the bond may be used to cover the repair costs with mutual agreement. If you and the renter disagree, you can apply to VCAT within 14 days after the renter leaves. If the renter does not leave the property clean and in good condition, you can claim part or all of the bond at the end of the lease.

If a renter is 14 days late with rent, they can be issued a notice to vacate for unpaid rent. This notice is cancelled if they pay. However, if they are late five times within 12 months, the notice to vacate will still stand.

While it's not a legal requirement to have a Property Manager, most rental providers choose to use one for many good reasons. A skilled Property Manager helps you understand rental laws, maximise your rental income, find and retain quality tenants, and handle daily tasks like repairs, inspections, and resolving issues that may involve VCAT.

Repairs are generally the responsibility of the rental provider unless the damage was caused by the renters. Urgent repairs—such as dangerous electrical faults, gas leaks, serious water leaks, blocked or broken toilets, or failure of essential services like hot water—must be fixed immediately. If you don't act promptly, renters can arrange and pay for these repairs themselves, and you have 7 days to reimburse them for costs up to $2,500. Non-urgent repairs should be completed within 14 days after receiving a written request. Renters must continue paying rent during repairs and cannot withhold rent; however, they can apply to VCAT to pay their rent into a special account until any repair disputes are settled.

Rental providers are required to maintain their properties according to minimum standards covering 14 key areas. These include securing all external doors and windows with locks, ensuring bathrooms have a washbasin and either a shower or bath with access to hot and cold water, and providing functional curtains or blinds on windows in bedrooms and living spaces. Every room must have proper ventilation, and the main living area needs a fixed heater that works properly. If a property falls short of these standards, tenants have the right to terminate their lease before moving in or request urgent repairs.

Legal requirements mandate that all electrical systems and fittings, along with gas appliances like heaters and stoves, undergo safety inspections by a licensed electrician and gas fitter every two years. Rental providers must keep documentation of these inspections. If a property has not had these safety checks within two years before a tenant moves in, the provider must arrange for the inspections promptly. Additionally, smoke alarms must be tested annually by a licensed electrician.

Since March 2021, new legislation prevents rental providers from unreasonably refusing a tenant's request to keep a pet. You have 14 days to respond to a pet request; if you don't, the tenant is automatically allowed to keep the pet. Tenants must submit a Pet Request Form from Consumer Affairs Victoria for each pet, excluding assistance animals, which are protected under the Equal Opportunity Act. If you wish to refuse the request, you must apply to VCAT, which will consider factors like the type of pet, the property, and local regulations before making a decision. If VCAT prohibits the pet, the tenant must comply within 14 days and is liable for any damage or disturbances caused by the animal.

As a rental provider, it's important to have the right insurance to protect your investment. We recommend considering the following types of insurance:

Building Insurance - Protects the structure of the property itself, covering repairs or rebuilding after damage. Pubic Liability - Protects you if someone is injured on your property and makes a claim against you. Landlord Insurance - Covers damage to the property from events like fire, storms, or vandalism, and often includes loss of rental income if the property becomes uninhabitable.

Tenants are allowed to carry out certain small changes to the property without needing the rental provider's approval. These may include things like putting up a wireless doorbell, adding child safety latches, securing the letterbox with a lock, installing picture hooks or shelving, fitting wall anchors, and switching to water-saving shower heads or energy-efficient lighting. More substantial alterations, however, require your consent. At the end of the tenancy, renters must return the property to its original condition or cover the reasonable cost for any necessary repairs or restoration.