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

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Renting Renting a home a home PART 3: Ending a tenancy 24
Ending a tenancy agreement A tenancy agreement can only be ended in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act 1997. If you want to end the tenancy: Advise your landlord or agent in writing if you want to leave the property. Make sure you give the appropriate notice > see page 30 for details. Ensure that your notice is delivered within a suitable time. There are three main ways to end a tenancy: 1. All the parties can agree to end the tenancy. 2. Your landlord gives you a valid ‘Notice to Vacate’. 3. You give valid notice to your landlord that you intend to vacate. Even if a tenancy has a fixed end date, notice must be given to end it. Remember: Leaving and stopping rent payments without giving the appropriate notice is a breach of the contract between you and your landlord. VCAT can award compensation to landlords for money lost because of such a breach. PART 3: Ending a tenancy If your landlord wants to end the tenancy: They must give you a ‘Notice to Vacate’ in the correct written form. The notice must be sent to you at the rented premises by registered post, or given to you in person. Agreeing to end a tenancy early • You and your landlord can agree to end the tenancy early. • It is important to put the decision in writing. • This written notice should include any agreed costs, terms and conditions, and the date the tenancy is to end. • If you have a fixed-term agreement but need to end your lease early, you should give written notice as soon as possible that you are leaving. Breaking a tenancy agreement may require you to pay compensation to your landlord. • Either party can apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) to end a tenancy early on the basis of hardship > see page 40 for VCAT’s contact details. When your landlord wants to end the tenancy • They must complete and give you a valid ‘Notice to Vacate’ form. • The notice must be sent to you at the rented premises by registered post, or given to you in person. 25
Page 1 and 2: Renting a home A guide for tenants
Page 3 and 4: Contents Essentials 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: What to do if you think your rent i
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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