TENANT INFORMATION GUIDE FOR TENANTS (VIC) | Page 12

Renting a home

The ‘Condition Report’

Completing the ‘Condition Report’

If you have paid a bond, your landlord
must prepare a ‘Condition Report’, which
records the property’s general condition,
including fittings and fixtures before you
occupy the rented premises.Even if you
have not paid a bond, it is still a good
idea to get a ‘Condition Report’.

It is important to note on the ‘Condition
Report’ if you disagree with any points.

Consumer Affairs Victoria has a ‘Condition
Report’ form to help you rate the
condition of your new home.
The ‘Condition Report’ can be used as
evidence if there is a dispute about who
should pay for cleaning, damage, or
replacement of missing items, particularly
at the end of a tenancy.
If possible, take photos of the premises
before you move in to further show
their condition.
Your landlord must provide you with two
copies of the signed ‘Condition Report’
before you move in.
Review and, if necessary, add your
comments to the ‘Condition Report’.
Return the report to your landlord within
three business days of moving in. All parties
should keep their copy of the ‘Condition
Report’ until the end of the tenancy.
Your landlord may claim some or all
of the bond for cleaning, damage, or
replacement of missing items at the end
of your tenancy. If the ‘Condition Report’
stated that the work was required at the
start of the tenancy, or the items were
not listed, it can help you prove the bond
should be returned to you.

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Check that everything attached to a ceiling,
wall or a door (for example, light fittings,
mantelpieces, hooks and handles) is fixed
securely and unlikely to injure anyone.
Take photographs, particularly of any
features of the premises you have made
a note of in the condition report.

Reporting safety issues
You should inform your
landlord of any defects
that pose a threat to safety
so these can be fixed by an expert.
If you report a safety risk and it is not
fixed, you can take further action
> See Repairs on page 20.
If the problem is serious enough to
make the premises unsafe to live in,
notify your landlord immediately. If the
problem cannot be fixed, you may be
able to end your tenancy agreement.
See the Consumer Affairs Victoria
website for further details.

Water meter readings
If the property has a separate meter,
your landlord:
• can arrange for you to be billed for
water usage and sewage disposal
• must give your contact details to the
water provider, who will read the
meter and commence billing.
It is a good idea to confirm the details in a
letter to the water provider and keep a copy.