TENANT INFORMATION GUIDE FOR TENANTS (VIC)

Contents Essentials for tenants.............................. 4 At the beginning of a tenancy............... 4 During a tenancy................................... 4 At the end of a tenancy......................... 4 RentRight app........................................ 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. Water meter readings ......................... 12 Utility connections............................... 13 Part 2: During a tenancy...................... 14 Paying rent.......................................... 15 Rent receipts........................................ 15 Utilities................................................ 16 Looking after the property................... 17 Sharing a property............................... 18 Your privacy......................................... 18 If you do not meet your responsibilities ................................... 18 If a landlord or agent does not meet their responsibilities.................... 18 Repairs................................................. 20 Gas appliance safety............................ 22 Smoke alarms...................................... 23 Swimming pools and spas................... 23. Entry to the premises .......................... 24. Rent increases ..................................... 24 Part 3: Ending a tenancy...................... 26 Ending a tenancy agreement............... 27 When your landlord wants to end the tenancy.............................. 27 When you want to end the tenancy .... 30 Calculating minimum notice periods.... 32 Challenging a ‘Notice to Vacate’.......... 33 Getting evicted.................................... 33 Part 4: Leaving a tenancy after giving or receiving notice.................... 34 Preparing to leave the property........... 35 Agreeing on the return of the bond .... 35 Final meter readings............................ 36 Belongings left behind......................... 36 Providing a forwarding address............ 37 Part 5: Solving tenancy problems......... 38 What you can do to solve a tenancy problem.............................................. 39 Reaching an agreement....................... 39 Consumer Affairs Victoria..................... 39 Tenants Union of Victoria (TUV)........... 40 Housing for the Aged Action Group

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