FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
Here you will find some of the most common questions, however if you cannot find an answer here, please visit ask.monash for more assistance.
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Here you will find some of the most common questions, however if you cannot find an answer here, please visit ask.monash for more assistance.
Check out our suburb information pages for lots of great information about suburbs that surround each of the Monash campuses.
A private rental property is a house, unit, flat or an apartment block owned by an individual or company (not Monash University).
In most cases, the owners of the rental properties or their appointed real estate agents manage and rent out the properties and they must do so according to the Residential Tenancies Act of Victoria (1997).
The owners do not have any connection with Monash University.
There are properties located close to most of the Monash campuses. There may however be many students applying for these houses so it is best to also look at suburbs around your campus.
Check out this guide for searching for accommodation, where you can search for properties close to your preferred campus.
We usually suggest that students allow around 2 to 3 weeks to find suitable rental accommodation, especially in the Central Business District.
The time it takes will vary depending on:
For further assistance, contact ask.monash.
You can find lots of information about the various types of accommodation available here.
Monash Residential Services can only give you a rental reference if you have been a resident in one of our student residences.
If you have not been a resident on campus, we recommend you get an Enrolment Verification letter which provides proof of your current enrolment, your student load, and confirms you are in good standing with the University.
You can order a letter in the Web Enrolment System (WES) or by visiting your local Monash Connect.
This letter should be included with your application.
If you are a member of a student club or society, it is also a good idea to ask the President of the club/society to provide a character reference for you.
Note: You must always ask permission before using anyone as your referee.
For approximate rental costs around Melbourne, please see Accommodation Costs webpage.
As a rule, the closer to the Melbourne Central Business District (CBD), the more expensive the rent will be.
Monash University does not recommend any specific, private, rental accommodation. It does however recommend university owned or managed accommodation.
Unfortunately we do not provide this type of service. It is only on-campus/Monash-managed accommodation that can be arranged in this way. See:
It is most important that you view any property in the private rental market in person before committing to it as it can be very expensive and difficult to break a lease if it is not what you were expecting.
Refer to the following websites for further information:
The majority of landlords will ask you to sign a written tenancy agreement (lease) because it offers both the tenant and the landlord more security.
The law also recognises verbal tenancy agreements, however they can be more difficult to prove if a dispute arises.
For a detailed outline of things to consider when signing a lease, see Starting a Tenancy.
We also recommend you check the Monash University Rent-Smart website for useful information on off-campus accommodation.
A bond is a sum of money (sometimes called a 'security deposit') that you pay to your landlord or their real estate agent at the start of your lease. They then send your bond to the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority where it is held for the duration of your tenancy.
Your bond is then returned to you at the end of your lease after your final inspection, providing there is no damage to the property or room leased.
For further information, refer to the Tenants Victoria - bond payments and refunds website
We also recommend you check the Monash University Rent-Smart website for useful information on off-campus accommodation.
Normally a lease agreement is 12 months however some student accommodation providers will offer 6 months or an academic year which is 10 months.
Sometimes you can negotiate a shorter agreement if you are moving into a share house.
See the Monash University Rent-Smart website before you start this process.
At the beginning of a tenancy, the landlord or agent must give you:
A rooming house is a building where one or more rooms are available for rent,and four or more people in total occupy these rooms. You will have your own room, and sometimes your own private bathroom, but you will share the common areas of the house such as kitchen and lounge room.
If your rooming house landlord is doing everything correctly, the following steps will happen:
Your room must meet the minimum standards as set out in the Residential Tenancy Act. Find out more here.
Your landlord must provide you with the Operator's contact details, a written statement outlining your main rights and duties, a set of house rules, a notice to proposed rooming house resident and a notice outlining the costs of any extra services provided by the operator. You can find more information here.
You may find accommodation that is fully furnished. This is generally in a share house or student, purpose built accommodation. Most accommodation off-campus however, is not fully furnished.
There are many places around your campus that sell furniture and household items.
Refer to the Furnishing your Home Guide (pdf 272kb) which provides advice on:
You can challenge a rent increase in certain circumstances.
The following websites provide detailed advice on what to do if you want to challenge an increase:
You can also submit an enquiry through ask.monash.
You can only rent (sub-let) rooms in your rental property if you have written permission from your real estate agent or landlord.
Refer to the following websites for further information:
If you need additional advice, please submit an enquiry through ask.monash.
The following websites provide you with detailed information on utility charges, including which costs are your responsibility and which costs are your landlord's responsibility:
If you need further assistance, please submit an enquiry explaining your situation to ask.monash.
It is the landlord's responsibility to maintain the premises in good condition during the course of your tenancy.
If you need repairs done, there are two different processes to follow depending on whether they are urgent or not urgent.
See the Tenants Victoria - Repairs for rented homes website for:
If you need additional advice, please submit an enquiry through ask.monash.
Landlords cannot enter a property without notice.
For detailed advice, refer to the following websites:
If you need further assistance, please submit an enquiry explaining your situation to ask.monash.
If you are thinking about breaking your lease, you may be able to negotiate it however it may be expensive and difficult.
For detailed advice, refer to Tenants Victoria - Breaking a Lease
If you need additional advice, please submit an enquiry through ask.monash.
No, under normal circumstances you cannot use your bond to pay for your last month's rent.
For advice specific to your situation, please submit an enquiry to ask.monash
There are certain circumstances that may allow the landlord to end your lease.
You should immediately seek legal information and guidance on this matter.
Recommended sources are:
If you need additional advice, please submit an enquiry through ask.monash.
The Residential Tenancies Bond Authority should have your bond.
If it has not been returned to you, you should seek assistance: