Renting Guide Overview

Tenancy Application

Applying for a rental property is the first step once you find a suitable home. There may be other applications together with yours which will be forwarded to the owner for consideration. You will normally get one chance to have an owner consider your application so its imperative applications are complete and thorough. Additional information to assist the application can be also provided together with a covering letter.

Tenancy Application Form Tenancy Application Form (100 KB)

Start of a Tenancy

Congratulations, you have been chosen as the successful applicant to move into the property you applied for.

Prior to keys been provided to you will be asked to pay and sign the following:

  • Residential Tenancies Authority
  • R.T.B.A. Lodgment Form 
  • First calendar months rent
  • Security Deposit

First payments will only be received in the form of a Bank Cheque or a personal cheque. Security deposit cheques are to be made payable to “Residential Tenancies Bond Authority”

You will receive your copy of “Renting a Home” prepared by Consumer Affairs Victoria together with your home keys and a completed Condition Report in duplicate.

You are required to return one signed copy of the Condition Report to the agent within three business days of receipt. At this point any additional information can be added to the condition report which reflects the condition of the property prior to commencement of tenancy.

Rental Payments

Rent payments are to be made calendar monthly in advance unless your lease stipulates differently. Fees may result with part payments and in the case of shared housing we recommend one of the occupants takes the responsibility of collecting individual rents and forwarding full payment to the agency.

Rental payments made on time are a great way to establish an excellent rental history which will be looked favorably by future Landlords if and when required.

Payments can be made at the agency by only cheque or via Internet Banking. 

Ending a Tenancy

There are set ways under the Act of ending all tenancy agreements including verbal agreements, fixed term agreements and periodic agreements. Even if an agreement has a fixed end date notice must be given to end the tenancy. If a tenant, landlord or agent wants to end a tenancy agreement they should check:

  • The reasons allowed under the Act for giving notice
  • Whether the notice should be given on an official notice or form
  • The minimum notice period to allow between giving the notice and the actual end of tenancy agreement.

For tenancies where the fixed term agreement has ended, tenants are required to give a minimum of 28 days notice in writing to the agent.

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Bond Refunds

The speed in which a bond refund can occur will be determined by the condition that the property is returned to the landlord. Upon request you can arrange to have a pre vacating inspection if you wish to assess the condition of the property prior to you vacating and have time to attend to any matters prior to vacating.

Once approval has been given by the Landlord to release the security deposit you will be asked to sign a Bond Claim form which will be lodged with Residential Tenancies Bond Authority. AT this point you can request the R.T.B.A to pay monies into your account or by posting a cheque.