Renting a home: a guide for tenants - Consumer Affairs Victoria

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Renting a home Disclaimer Because this publication avoids the use of legal language, information about the law may have been expressed in general statements. This guide should not be relied upon as a substitute for the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 or professional legal advice. © Copyright State of Victoria 2012 No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. For advice on how to reproduce any material from this publication contact Consumer Affairs Victoria. Published by Consumer Affairs Victoria Department of Justice 121 Exhibition Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Authorised by the Victorian Government 121 Exhibition Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Printed managed by Finsbury Green ISBN: 1 921079 48 7 2 Renting a home: A guide for tenants is the summary approved by the Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria of the rights and duties of a landlord and tenant under a tenancy agreement. Under section 66 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (the Act) landlords and agents must give the tenant this guide on or before the day they move in. Consumer Affairs Victoria can take tenants, landlords and agents to the Magistrates’ Court for not obeying certain obligations under the Act. In some circumstances, the Magistrates’ Court may impose a fine. Additional copies Additional copies of this guide are available from Consumer Affairs Victoria’s website consumer.vic.gov.au. To order more than five copies download an order form from consumer.vic.gov.au. Information about renting is available in 20 languages at consumer.vic.gov.au/ languages. If you have difficulty understanding English, contact the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450 and ask to speak to Consumer Affairs Victoria on 1300 55 81 81.
Contents Essentials for tenants .......................... 4 At the beginning of a tenancy .............. 4 During a tenancy ................................. 4 At the end of a tenancy ........................ 5 Part 1: Beginning a tenancy ............... 6 At the start of your tenancy .................. 7 Tenancy agreements........................... 7 Signing your rental agreement ........... 8 Tenancy databases ............................. 9 Guarantees ....................................... 10 Rent in advance ................................ 10 Deposits and charges ....................... 10 The bond ......................................... 11 The ‘Condition Report’ ..................... 12 Reporting safety issues ...................... 12 Water meter readings ....................... 13 Utility connections ............................ 13 Part 2: During a tenancy ................... 14 Paying rent ......................................... 15 Water expenses ................................ 16 Looking after the property ................ 17 Your privacy ..................................... 17 If you do not meet your responsibilities 17 If a landlord or agent does not meet their responsibilities ................. 17 Sharing a property ........................... 18 Repairs ............................................. 19 Steps you can take to have an urgent item repaired .................... 20 Temporary accommodation while repairs are carried out ............. 21 Entry to the premises ........................ 22 Rent increases................................... 22 What to do if you think your rent increase is too high ................... 23 Part 3: Ending a tenancy ................... 24 Ending a tenancy agreement .............. 25 When your landlord wants to end the tenancy ........................... 25 When you want to end the tenancy . 28 Calculating minimum notice periods 30 Challenging a ‘Notice to Vacate’....... 31 Getting evicted................................. 31 Part 4: Leaving a tenancy after giving or receiving notice ............................ 32 Preparing to leave the property .......... 33 Agreeing on the return of the bond .. 33 Final meter readings ......................... 34 Belongings left behind ...................... 34 Providing a forwarding address ........ 35 Part 5: Solving tenancy problems..... 36 What you can do to solve a tenancy problem.............................. 37 Reaching an agreement .................... 37 Useful contacts .................................. 40 Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) ..................... 40 Tenants Union of Victoria (TUV) ........ 40 Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) ......... 40 Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) 40 Office of Housing ............................. 41 Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG) .............. 41 Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) 41 3
Page 1: Renting a home A guide for tenants
Page 5 and 6: At the end of a tenancy • give ad
Page 7 and 8: At the start of your tenancy Carefu
Page 9 and 10: Tenancy databases Tenancy databases
Page 11 and 12: The bond Most landlords will ask yo
Page 13 and 14: Water meter readings If the propert
Page 15 and 16: Paying rent Pay your rent on time.
Page 17 and 18: Looking after the property Tenants,
Page 19 and 20: Bond If your landlord gives permiss
Page 21 and 22: Non-urgent repairs Write to your la
Page 23 and 24: What to do if you think your rent i
Page 25 and 26: Ending a tenancy agreement A tenanc
Page 27 and 28: Table 2 (below) shows the reasons a
Page 29 and 30: Reasons and minimum notice periods
Page 31 and 32: Challenging a ‘Notice to Vacate
Page 33 and 34: Preparing to leave the property Dis
Page 35 and 36: When personal documents are left be
Page 37 and 38: → What you can do to solve a tena
Page 39 and 40: Victorian Civil and Administrative
Page 41 and 42: Office of Housing The Office of Hou
Page 43 and 44: Notes 43

Renting a home: a guide for tenants - Consumer Affairs Victoria

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