Know Your Rights: A Renter's Guide to Renting in Victoria
With 1 in 3 Victorians now renting, understanding your rights has never been more important. Whether you're signing your first lease or you've rented for years, here's what you need to know at every stage of the journey.
Finding and Applying for a Property
When you apply for a rental, the provider must use a prescribed application form and cannot ask for information outside of it. They're also prohibited from asking about previous disputes with landlords, your bond claim history, or detailed bank transaction records. Most importantly, it's illegal to discriminate against applicants based on age, disability, race, gender identity, family status, and many other personal characteristics.
One more thing to watch for: rental properties must be advertised at a fixed price, not a range, and agents cannot accept rent offers above the advertised amount or charge you a fee just to view a property.
Before You Move In
Victoria requires rental properties to meet 15 minimum standards covering everything from heating and kitchen facilities to locks, lighting, and mould-free rooms. It's the rental provider's responsibility to ensure the property meets these standards before you move in — not yours to fix after the fact.
Make sure you thoroughly complete the condition report provided by your landlord, document any pre-existing damage with photos, and return a signed copy within 5 business days. Hold onto your copy — it's your best protection if a bond dispute arises later.
Bonds are capped at one month's rent (for properties under $900/week) and must be lodged with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) within 10 business days. You'll receive a receipt with a bond number — keep it somewhere safe.
After You Move In
Your landlord must give you at least 90 days' notice of any rent increase, and rent can only be increased once every 12 months for agreements starting from June 2019. If you think a rent increase is excessive, you can request a free rent assessment from Consumer Affairs Victoria within 30 days of receiving the notice.
For repairs, the law distinguishes between urgent and non-urgent. Urgent repairs — such as a burst pipe, gas leak, broken heating, or anything making the property unsafe — must be addressed immediately. Non-urgent repairs must be completed within 14 days of a written request.
Your rental provider can enter the property only with proper written notice, generally between 8am and 6pm, and not on public holidays. You don't have to accept a verbal request for entry.
Moving Out
Your rental agreement doesn't automatically end — you need to give written notice. And crucially, your rental provider cannot end your tenancy without a valid, documented reason, even at the end of a fixed-term agreement. Most eviction notices require at least 90 days' notice.
When leaving, clean the property to a reasonable standard and be present (or given the opportunity to be) for the exit condition report. Before signing any bond claim form, confirm the amount you'll receive back is correct.
If There's a Dispute
Most disputes can be resolved without going to a tribunal. Start by knowing your rights, then talk to your rental provider. If that doesn't work, contact Consumer Affairs Victoria (1300 55 81 81). For unresolved disputes, Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV) offers a free service before escalating to VCAT.