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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.

Finding Accommodation

Where do I start looking?

Check out our suburb information pages for lots of great information about suburbs that surround each of the Monash campuses.

What is a private rental property?

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.

Will I be able to find private accommodation within walking distance of campus?

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.

How long will it take to find private rental accommodation?

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:

the supply,
the types of places available, and,
the needs and expectations of students.

For further assistance, contact ask.monash.

What else should I know?

You can find lots of information about the various types of accommodation available here.

Applying for accommodation

Can MRS give me a rental reference to include with my application?

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.

How much does it cost to live in Melbourne?

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.

Can you give me a list of recommended places to live?

Monash University does not recommend any specific, private, rental accommodation. It does however recommend university owned or managed accommodation.

Can Monash arrange a rental property for me before I arrive?

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:

On Campus accommodation
The Monash Uni Rent-Smart website

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 Tenants Union of Victoria Student Housing website
the Monash Off Campus Accommodation Services website

Signing a lease

Is it normal to sign a contract to rent off-campus accommodation?

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.

What is a bond?

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 Tenancy Union of Victoria - bond payments and refunds website

We also recommend you check the Monash University Rent-Smart website for useful information on off-campus accommodation.

What is the shortest length of time I can rent for?

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.

What information and documentation should I get when I agree to rent?

At the beginning of a tenancy, the landlord or agent must give you:

a copy of the residency agreement,
a receipt for the rent money you have paid,
a Statement of Rights and Duties booklet,
2 copies of a completed Condition Report, signed by the landlord or agent.
the landlord's full name, address and telephone numbers and a written statement about whether or not the agent (if the landlord has an agent) can authorise urgent repairs.
if the agent can authorise urgent repairs, the maximum amount they are authorised to spend, and the agent's telephone or fax number for urgent repairs.

Rooming Houses

What is a rooming house?

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.

What should I expect from a rooming house?

If your rooming house landlord is doing everything correctly, the following steps will happen:

The rooming house must be registered on the Public Register of Rooming Houses. This is a legal requirement and if you cannot find your property on this list, we encourage you to contact us immediately.
If you are asked to sign a contract, your obligations as a tenant will be outlined. Please pay particular attention to the terms outlined in the residency agreement. The agreement will confirm how much notice you have to give to break your lease, as well as the rent obligations, and how much bond is required.
Once you pay your bond, it must be registered with the Residential Tenancy Bond Authority (RTBA) and you must receive confirmation of it been sent there within 14 days.
You will be given a Room Condition Report to complete - this must be provided, and completed in full and returned to the landlord with 3 business days. Take extra care to document any issues that are not listed such as stains, or damage to walls.
If you are asked to pay any utility bills like electricity, gas, water or internet, then your landlord must show you the bill so that you can confirm that you are paying the correct amount.
Your landlord must provide you with a receipt for any payment that you have made by cash or cheque. If you pay by bank transfer, this will count as a receipt.
Your landlord must provide you with a copy of Rooming houses: A guide for residents and operators.

What else should I know?

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.

Moving in

Are rental properties/rooms furnished?

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.

Where do I buy furniture and household items?

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:

what essentials to buy, and
where to buy them near your campus.

Issues while renting

My landlord wants to increase my rent and I do not agree. What do I do?

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:

Tenants Union of Victoria - Rent increases website
Consumer Affairs Victoria -Rent Increases website

You can also submit an enquiry through ask.monash.

Am I allowed to rent rooms in the property I am renting?

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:

Tenants Union of Victoria - Assignment & Sub-letting fact sheet (pdf 46kb)
Consumer Affairs Victoria - Sharing a tenancy agreement website

If you need additional advice, please submit an enquiry through ask.monash.

I think I am paying too much for utilities where I am leasing. What should I do?

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:

Tenants Union of Victoria - Utility charges website
Consumer Affairs Victoria - Utilities, telephone, internet and television in rental properties website

If you need further assistance, please submit an enquiry explaining your situation to ask.monash.

I need repairs in my home and my landlord hasn't fixed them. What should I do?

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 Union of Victoria - Repairs for rented homes website for:

the definition of what defines an urgent repair, and
the different processes to follow.

If you need additional advice, please submit an enquiry through ask.monash.

My landlord comes into our house whenever he likes. What can I do ?

Landlords cannot enter a property without notice.

For detailed advice, refer to the following websites:

Tenants Union of Victoria - Privacy as a tenant website
Consumer Affairs Victoria - Landlord or owner entry to the property website

If you need further assistance, please submit an enquiry explaining your situation to ask.monash.

Ending your lease

I want to break my lease. What do I do?

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, see the Tenants Union of Victoria - Breaking a Lease fact sheet (pdf 46kb).

If you need additional advice, please submit an enquiry through ask.monash.

Can I use my bond to pay my last month's rent?

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

My landlord wants to end my lease. What do I do?

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:

Tenants Union of Victoria - Eviction website
Consumer Affairs Victoria - Landlord or owner ending lease or residency website

If you need additional advice, please submit an enquiry through ask.monash.

Support

My landlord has not returned my bond. What do I do?

The Residential Tenancies Bond Authority should have your bond.

If it has not been returned to you, you should seek assistance:

by referring to the Tenants Union of Victoria - Bond payments and refunds website
by referring to Consumer Affairs Victoria - Claiming the bond website, or
by submitting an enquiry through ask.monash.