STEP 2Essential

Housing and real estate

How renting works in Victoria: bonds, condition reports, rent increases, share houses and what to do when something goes wrong.

Where to look and how prices are quoted

Whole properties: realestate.com.au and domain.com.au. Rooms in share houses: Flatmates.com.au, Facebook groups, and the share house board on Settlely.
Rent is quoted per week. A calendar month is the weekly rent x 52 / 12, not x 4.
Inspect in person or by video call with someone you trust before paying anything. Never pay a "deposit" to hold a place you have not seen.
Rental bidding is banned in Victoria. An agent cannot ask you to offer more than the advertised rent.

Bond: the rules that protect your money

The bond is a security deposit held by the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA), a government body, not by the landlord or agent. If your bond is not lodged with the RTBA, it is not protected.

The bond cannot be more than one month's rent unless the weekly rent is over $900.
You must receive an RTBA receipt by email or post after lodgement. If it does not arrive within a couple of weeks, ask the agent, then contact the RTBA.
From 9 September 2026 renters can pay the bond directly to the RTBA, and from 1 July 2026 you can transfer an existing bond to your next rental.
In a share house, never hand bond money to a housemate. Have your name added to the bond with the RTBA transfer form.
From 13 October 2026 the rental provider must tell you in advance and show evidence before claiming any of your bond at the end.

Condition report: do it properly on day one

You get a condition report before or when you move in. Walk through every room, add anything that is dirty, damaged or broken, and take dated photos.
Sign and return your copy within the deadline on the form (a few business days). If you do not, the landlord's version stands.
Keep your photos until your bond is refunded. They are your evidence at the end of the lease.

Rent increases and ending the lease

Rent can go up only once every 12 months, and only if a fixed-term lease has a rent increase clause.
The notice period is 90 days (changed on 25 November 2025) and it must use the official Notice of Rent Increase form. A text message is not valid notice.
If an increase looks excessive, ask Consumer Affairs Victoria for a rent assessment or apply to VCAT within 30 days of the notice.
The property must meet minimum standards (heating, hot water, working locks, window coverings and more). Since 13 October 2026 providers must keep records proving this.
A landlord cannot end a fixed-term lease at the end just because it ended; they need a valid reason listed in the Act.

Share house checklist

Get your name on the lease, or at least a written sub-let agreement with the head tenant. A verbal deal gives you no rights.
Agree in writing how bills (electricity, gas, internet, water usage) are split.
Ask who holds the bond, what notice is needed to leave, and whether the room is furnished.
If something feels wrong, Tenants Victoria gives free advice in several languages.

Where to look and how prices are quoted

Whole properties: realestate.com.au and domain.com.au. Rooms in share houses: Flatmates.com.au, Facebook groups, and the share house board on Settlely.

Rent is quoted per week. A calendar month is the weekly rent x 52 / 12, not x 4.

Inspect in person or by video call with someone you trust before paying anything. Never pay a "deposit" to hold a place you have not seen.

Rental bidding is banned in Victoria. An agent cannot ask you to offer more than the advertised rent.

Bond: the rules that protect your money

The bond is a security deposit held by the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA), a government body, not by the landlord or agent. If your bond is not lodged with the RTBA, it is not protected.

The bond cannot be more than one month's rent unless the weekly rent is over $900.

You must receive an RTBA receipt by email or post after lodgement. If it does not arrive within a couple of weeks, ask the agent, then contact the RTBA.

From 9 September 2026 renters can pay the bond directly to the RTBA, and from 1 July 2026 you can transfer an existing bond to your next rental.

In a share house, never hand bond money to a housemate. Have your name added to the bond with the RTBA transfer form.

From 13 October 2026 the rental provider must tell you in advance and show evidence before claiming any of your bond at the end.

Condition report: do it properly on day one

You get a condition report before or when you move in. Walk through every room, add anything that is dirty, damaged or broken, and take dated photos.

Sign and return your copy within the deadline on the form (a few business days). If you do not, the landlord's version stands.

Keep your photos until your bond is refunded. They are your evidence at the end of the lease.

Rent increases and ending the lease

Rent can go up only once every 12 months, and only if a fixed-term lease has a rent increase clause.

The notice period is 90 days (changed on 25 November 2025) and it must use the official Notice of Rent Increase form. A text message is not valid notice.

If an increase looks excessive, ask Consumer Affairs Victoria for a rent assessment or apply to VCAT within 30 days of the notice.

The property must meet minimum standards (heating, hot water, working locks, window coverings and more). Since 13 October 2026 providers must keep records proving this.

A landlord cannot end a fixed-term lease at the end just because it ended; they need a valid reason listed in the Act.

Share house checklist

Get your name on the lease, or at least a written sub-let agreement with the head tenant. A verbal deal gives you no rights.

Agree in writing how bills (electricity, gas, internet, water usage) are split.

Ask who holds the bond, what notice is needed to leave, and whether the room is furnished.

If something feels wrong, Tenants Victoria gives free advice in several languages.