A Comprehensive Guide to Landlord Responsibilities in Victoria

/

Blog

The Insider @ Houst
Last updated on
August 2, 2023
August 10, 2024

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

A Comprehensive Guide to Landlord Responsibilities in Victoria

Airbnb Management Services by Houst | Short-Term Rental Experts

About Houst

Houst is a leading property management company specialising in short-term and medium-term bookings in eight countries. With over 7 years of experience and managing over 300,000 bookings, we help homeowners make the most of their properties.

Learn More

As a landlord overseeing any rental property, you take on many essential responsibilities and obligations to safeguard yourself and your property and tenants. Ensuring the building's structural integrity remains intact is of utmost importance, as it must be deemed suitable for various manufacturing and operational activities while also addressing potential health concerns, such as mould.

Among these responsibilities is the proper installation and diligent maintenance of safety equipment. This ensures a secure and protected environment for everyone involved. Balancing these responsibilities ensures your property remains a safe and welcoming place for tenants and visitors alike. Remember, a well-maintained property benefits the occupants and contributes to your rental venture's success. In this article, we’ll discuss landlord responsibilities Victoria in detail.

Table of Contents

Bond

landlord responsibilities victoria, bonds and renting a property

When renting a property, the landlord can request the tenant pay a bond, a security deposit. The maximum bond amount typically equals one month's rent unless the rent exceeds $900 per week. Sometimes, the landlord may seek approval from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) to raise this limit.

Once tenants pay the bond, it is a legal requirement for the landlord or agent to lodge it with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) within 10 business days. The RTBA will then provide the tenant with a receipt confirming the bond lodgment.

If the tenant hasn't received the receipt within 15 business days of making the payment, the tenant has the right to contact the RTBA to address the matter promptly. Ensuring the proper handling and documentation of a tenant’s bond is essential for tenants and landlords, as it guarantees a fair and transparent rental process for everyone involved.

Urgent Repairs and Maintenance

Regarding repairs and maintenance in a rental property, certain issues require immediate attention and are classified as urgent. These may encompass the following situations:

  • A blocked or broken toilet can cause inconvenience and sanitation problems.
  • Any dangerous electrical fault that poses a potential hazard to the occupants or the property.
  • A gas leak can be highly hazardous and requires immediate resolution.
  • A serious water leak or flooding, which can cause significant damage to the property and belongings.
  • The breakdown of an essential service or appliance the landlord provides, such as a malfunctioning hot water system, affects daily living conditions.

Urgent repairs and maintenance in rental property

Non-Urgent Repairs

Addressing non-urgent repairs in the rental property is essential for maintaining a comfortable living environment. Non-urgent repairs refer to any issues that do not fall under the 'Urgent repairs' category specified in the Repairs in rental properties.

  • Inform Landlord: Write a detailed communication outlining the repairs needed to the landlord. The tenant can utilise the 'Notice to the rental provider of rented premises' form to document the request comprehensively.
  • Timely Response: According to regulations, it’s in landlord responsibilities Victoria to respond to the repair request within 14 days.

Mainatianace 

Both the tenant and landlord have to take care of the rental property. Here's what tenants can generally expect in terms of maintenance duties:

  • Keeping the Property Clean: Tenants are responsible for maintaining the property reasonably clean. Regular cleaning and tidying up after yourself help to ensure a pleasant living environment for everyone involved.
  • Minor Maintenance Tasks: Renters are typically in charge of handling minor maintenance tasks. These may include changing standard light bulbs and ensuring the garden remains tidy unless your rental agreement specifies that the landlord is responsible for upkeep.

Utilities 

Going through utility and service charges can be like manoeuvring through a maze, with rules varying from one state to another. It's important to follow your state's guidelines for accurate information.

In general, during a tenancy, tenants typically bear the responsibility for the following utility charges if the rental property boasts a separate meter dedicated solely to supplying one property:

  • All charges related to the supply or consumption of electricity, gas, or oil encompass supply fees and reconnection costs.
  • Charges based on the actual water consumed, excluding service charges or reconnection fees.
  • Any sewerage disposal charges that may apply.
  • Utilisation charges for bottled gas usage, though not applicable to charges about the supply or rental of gas bottles.

On the flip side, if the rental property lacks separate metering, the onus of responsibility falls on the landlords for:

  • Handling the initial connection fees for utilities.
  • Covering the usage charges associated with the utilities.

Understanding the Process and Your Rights

Tenant and landlord laws in Victoria

As a landlord, you may encounter situations where you need to evict a tenant from your property. However, evicting a tenant requires adherence to specific rules and procedures, which can vary slightly from state to state.

To ensure a smooth and legally sound eviction process, it is crucial to understand the following:

Reasons for Eviction

Familiarise yourself with the valid reasons for giving notice to terminate a tenancy agreement in your state.

Proper Notice Requirements

Determine the correct format or official notice form you must use while providing your tenant eviction notice.

Notice Period

Be aware of the required notice period you must give before the end of the tenancy agreement.

For example, in Victoria, landlords must provide a signed written notice, which can be delivered by hand or sent by post. If the tenant does not vacate the property within the specified notice period, landlords can request an order of possession from the tribunal within 30 days. This order will include instructions for the tenant to vacate the premises, with a warning of forcible eviction if non-compliance persists. In extreme cases of non-compliance, landlords can obtain a warrant of possession to facilitate the authorities in removing the tenant from the property.

Compliance with Tenant and Landlord Laws

Being a responsible landlord comes with many rights and landlord responsibilities Victoria; understanding them is key to becoming a successful property investor. Every state has different laws about these things. Therefore, becoming well-versed in the relevant laws is imperative. Entrusting a professional property manager to navigate these complexities on your behalf can be a wise decision.

If you own rental properties in Victoria, you can take advantage of the valuable resource Consumer Affairs Victoria provides. This will help you understand the laws for landlords in this state.

Simplifying Property Rental Management for Landlords with Houst

Houst is a leading property rental management company dedicated to providing comprehensive assistance and support to landlords. With a mission to streamline the short term or long term rental process, Houst offers a range of innovative solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of property owners.

At Houst, we understand that being a landlord entails numerous challenges and landlord responsibilities Victoria. Our platform eases property management burdens, so landlords can focus on maximising rental yield and providing seamless rentals. Houst will manage everything from Airbnb listing, Airbnb cleaning and maintenance, check ins to the rental collection. Get Houst Franchise Partnership now!

The Insider @ Houst

The Insider @ Houst

The Insider team at Houst is dedicated to providing up-to-date and relevant information on short-term rentals. If you have hosting inquiries, please write to us at expert@houst.com. For guest inquiries, reach out at guest@houst.com. We are here to help you navigate the world of short lets and look forward to assisting you with your needs.

The Insider @ Houst

The Insider @ Houst

The Insider team at Houst is dedicated to providing up-to-date and relevant information on short-term rentals. If you have hosting inquiries, please write to us at expert@houst.com. For guest inquiries, reach out at guest@houst.com. We are here to help you navigate the world of short lets and look forward to assisting you with your needs.

Commission-Based
Pricing From

12%
of your
rental revenue
The commission depends on
the property profile and location

Complete property management services

We streamline the process of short-term lets and assist in maximising your rental revenue in London.

Listing Management

  • Multi-platform listings
  • Professional photography
  • Listing creation
  • Price optimisation

Guest Management

  • Guest vetting
  • Guest check-ins
  • Linen and toiletries
  • Guest communications

Property Management

  • Cleaning and housekeeping
  • Property maintenance
  • Property insurance
  • Property management software
I hope you enjoy reading this blog post!
If you want my team to just manage your Airbnb for you, just book a call.
TAP HERE to See Your Airbnb Earnings 🏠
See Your Airbnb Earnings Potential.

🔑 Use our Airbnb Calculator & Unlock Your Property's Full Potential

  • Maximise Your Earnings – Find out how much extra you could earn with Airbnb short-term rentals.
  • Tailored Insights – Receive a customized income estimate tailored to your property’s features and location.
  • Optimized Listings – Enhance your property’s appeal with our expert tips and industry insights.
  • 24/7 Management – Enjoy stress-free hosting with our comprehensive guest support and seamless check-ins

No commitments — just a fast, free estimate.

Close

We hope you enjoy our blog!

If you would like to find out more about how our team can help you get the most of your Airbnb, just book a call with us.

Thank you for providing your contact information!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
J’espère que vous apprécierez la lecture de cet article de blog !
Si vous souhaitez que mon équipe gère simplement votre Airbnb pour vous, réservez simplement un appel.
RÉSERVER UN APPEL
Cliquez ici pour obtenir plus de réservations !
Découvrez comment Houst peut améliorer la visibilité de votre Airbnb
  • Optimisation des annonces – Maximisez le potentiel de votre annonce. Faites l’expérience d’une croissance tangible.
  • Photographie professionnelle – Des visuels captivants qui attirent instantanément les invités.
  • Filtrage des invités – Garantir uniquement les invités les meilleurs et les plus sûrs pour votre propriété.
RÉSERVER UN APPEL
Close
Looking to scale your serviced accommodation?
Join Houst’s partnership program — book a call for details.
BOOK A CALL
Starting your Airbnb business?
Houst can help you get started in the serviced accommodation sector:
  • Fastracked growth: Quick portfolio expansion and up to 20% booking commission for property managers.
  • Guest Support and Tech: 24/7 support and tech streamlined operations, enhancing occupancy and guest service delivery.
  • Pricing Optimisation: Increased earnings with algorithm-based pricing strategies.
BOOK A CALL
Close