TENANT INFORMATION GUIDE FOR TENANTS (VIC) | Page 36

Renting a home

Bonds from the Director of Housing (DoH)
If the DoH has provided your bond you
cannot agree to the release of any of
the bond to your landlord. The RTBA
will pay out the bond to the DoH at the
end of the tenancy, once it receives the
completed ‘Bond Claim’ form signed by
the landlord only.
If a ‘Bond Claim’ form is not lodged,
the DoH will not know the tenancy has
ended and the bond amount will remain
registered as an outstanding debt against
the tenant.
If there is any claim by the landlord on
a bond provided by the DoH, the claim
must be heard by the Victorian Civil and
Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
Can a landlord claim the bond?
Your landlord may make a claim on part
or all of the bond for:
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damage caused by you or your visitors
cleaning expenses
abandonment of the premises
you leaving your landlord to pay bills
you should have paid
• loss of the landlord’s goods
• unpaid rent.
The landlord must accept fair wear and tear.
If there is disagreement about the
division of the bond, your landlord
must apply to VCAT to have the matter
resolved within 10 business days of you
vacating the premises.
You may also apply to VCAT on the same
grounds at any time.

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VCAT does not charge an application fee
when the landlord is claiming an amount
equal to or less than the bond. A fee does
apply when the compensation claim is
more than the bond.

Final meter readings
If you have separate meters for gas, water
or electricity you should let the providers
know in advance you will be moving out.
If you do not do this, you may be charged
for utilities in the next billing period.

Belongings left behind
If you leave any personal documents
or goods behind, you should make
arrangements to collect them. If these
arrangements cannot be made, your
landlord may request an inspection from
Consumer Affairs Victoria. The inspector
will advise the landlord what to do with
the goods.
Your landlord cannot refuse to give back
any of your belongings, even if you owe
rent. If you suffer a loss because your
landlord did not comply with the legislation
in withholding your goods, you can apply
to VCAT for compensation.
If your landlord has complied with the
legislation and suffered a loss through
the cost of storing and auctioning your
goods, they can also apply to VCAT to
be compensated.
Personal documents
Personal documents include:
• official documents
• photographs
• correspondence