Private rental market
If you choose to rent a property or a room in a shared house or rooming house, you are renting in the ‘private rental market’.
Information on this webpage is sourced from or informed by Consumer Affairs Victoria, Tenants Victoria and Housing Victoria and we recommend that you refer to these sites for the most accurate and up to date information about renting in Victoria.
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How to navigate the private rental market:
Searching for accommodation
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There are a number of different options when renting in the ‘private rental market’ including:
Private Leases
- A legal rental agreement between the tenant (renter) and the landlord (rental provider), covering properties such as houses, units, or apartments
- For more information on leases, visit: Consumer Affairs Victoria – Residential Rental Agreements.
Share Houses
- If you live in a share house you might be a co-renter, a sub-renter or a licensee. For details on each arrangement visit Tenants Victoria: Share houses
- Not all shared household arrangements are the same. Find out your legal rights when you share a house or flat with other people in different circumstances.
Rooming Houses
- Rooming houses are shared accommodation where people rent individual rooms and share kitchens or bathrooms. By law, rooming house operators must hold a licence and register the property with the local council.
- For more information on Rooming houses visit: Tenants Victoria
Most rental properties are managed either directly by the owner or through a real estate agent. All rental arrangements must comply with Victoria’s Residential Tenancies Act 1997.
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Plan ahead: Book temporary accommodation first
- Finding a long-term private rental in Melbourne can take time — especially in busy periods like the start of semester.
- We recommend booking temporary accommodation for your arrival so you can attend inspections and choose a place that suits your needs before signing anything or paying money.
- It might take several weeks or even longer to find the right place.
- How long it takes depends on your budget, preferred location, and whether you're open to sharing housing with others.
Common online search platforms
Most rental properties — especially houses and apartments — are listed through real estate agents on major platforms.
These websites are a good place to start your search:
- realestate.com.au - Check out our guide on how to use this platform to search for a rental property
- domain.com.au
- property.com.au
- rent.com.au
- view.com.au
You can use filters on these websites to narrow down listings by:
- Location
- Price range
- Number of bedrooms
- Amenities (e.g. parking, air conditioning, furnished)
There are a number of other online platforms that advertise rental properties and rooms in shared houses that you may wish to investigate— but be cautious and always inspect properties in person before paying anything
👉 TIP
Scams are more common on social or informal platforms. Never send money before inspecting a property and confirming the person you’re dealing with is the actual rental provider or agent.
What to consider when searching for private rental accommodation
Choosing the right rental accommodation isn’t just about finding a room — it’s about making sure it fits your lifestyle, budget, and study needs. Here are key things to think about when comparing your options:
Rental costs:
- Make sure the weekly rent fits within your budget.
- Don’t forget to factor in other expenses like electricity, gas, water, and internet.
- Some rentals include these costs — always check what is or isn’t included before signing
Lease terms:
- Understand how long the lease lasts (6 months? 12 months?)
- Check how much notice you’ll need to give if you want to move out.
- Be aware of early termination fees if your plans change.
Distance to campus:
- Consider how far the accommodation is from campus—living closer can reduce travel time and increase access to university facilities however can increase demand and price.
Transport options
- Is the property near a tram, train, or bus line?
- Will you need a car, bike, or scooter to get around?
- Think about the cost, reliability, and travel time of your commute.
Proximity to facilities:
- How close is the nearest supermarket, medical clinic, or pharmacy?
- Are there gyms, libraries, or other facilities nearby that you’ll use regularly?
- Being close to essentials can save time and reduce stress.
👉 TIP
Make a list of what’s most important to you (e.g. budget, travel time, internet speed), and use it to compare different options before applying.
What to do when you find a property you are interested in online
- Once you find an advertised property that you are interested in you should arrange to inspect the property to check that the property is as advertised and that it meets your requirements.
For more information visit:
- Housing Victoria: Finding the right place to live
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Choosing where to live is an important decision that goes beyond just being close to campus. When thinking about the right location, consider how close you want to be to:
- Health facilities like clinics and hospitals
- Cultural centers and community hubs
- Family and friends (if you have them nearby)
- Schools (if you have children or plan to study nearby)
- Public transport options for easy travel
Most Monash campuses have rental properties nearby, but because these areas are popular with students, many people will be applying for the same houses or apartments. To improve your chances, it’s a good idea to also explore suburbs near your campus that may be less competitive but still convenient.
Check out our campus information pages for details about the suburbs surrounding each Monash campus, including transport links, local amenities, and lifestyle tips.
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What to consider including in your budget:
Before you begin looking for a rental property, it’s essential to set a realistic budget. This will help you find a place that fits your finances and avoid surprises later.
Typical costs may include:
Rent
- Plan for the weekly or monthly rent amount. Remember, you usually pay rent in advance (often the first month upfront).
- For more information visit:
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: Rent payments and rent in advance
Bond
- A bond is a security deposit paid before moving in, usually equal to 2 to 4 weeks’ rent.
- For more information visit:
- Tenants Victoria: Bonds
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: Bond amounts and payments
Utilities and Bills
- These may include electricity, gas, water, phone, and internet. Some rentals include some or all of these in the rent, so check carefully what’s included.
- For more information visit:
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: Paying for utilities and services
Moving expenses
- If applicable budget for transport, removalists, or buying furniture and household items if your rental is unfurnished.
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👉 TIP
Try using the MoneySmart Budget Planner to map out your income and expenses and see what rent you can afford.
Confirm what’s included in the rent
Before you sign any rental agreement, make sure you know exactly what is included in the rent. For example:
- Are utilities like electricity, gas, and water included or do you need to pay them separately?
- Does the property come furnished or unfurnished?
- If furnished, what furniture is provided?
It’s important to get all this information in writing—either in the lease agreement or a written statement from the landlord or agent—so there are no surprises later.
Example rental costs:
The costs outlined below provide a general estimate of the weekly rental fees in Australian Dollars (AU$), but please note that rental costs can change.
Rental comparisons
Shared accommodation
Studio/1 bedroom apartments
2 bedroom apartments
Caulfield
$280 - 343
$320 - 550
$565 - 775
Clayton
$275 - 380
$300 - 600
$500 -750
Central Business District
$280 - 459
$380 - 639
$450 - 900
Gippsland
$165 - 200
$205 - 260
$200 - 315
Parkville
$290 - 380
$350 - 600
$445 - 750
Peninsula
$185 - 280
$200 - 340
$360 - 500
For more information visit:
- Tenants Victoria: Working out renting costs
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: Pricing rules for advertised rental properties
- Housing Victoria: What can I afford
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⚠️ Important: We strongly do not recommend signing a lease without inspecting the property first.
When you find a property you’re interested in online, arrange to inspect it in person before making any decisions. Inspections help you confirm that the property matches the online description and meets your needs.
Many real estate agents won’t approve your application unless you have inspected the property yourself or had a trusted person inspect it for you.
Arranging an inspection
You can arrange to inspect a rental property by contacting the real estate agent or rental provider directly. There are two common types of inspections:
- Private Inspection: You book a time with the agent or landlord to view the property just for yourself.
- Open Inspection: A set date and time when anyone interested can attend and view the property.
If the person showing the property is unwilling or unable to meet you or provide access, this is uncommon and could be a warning sign of a potential scam.
⚠️ Important: Rental providers and agents cannot charge you a fee just to show you a property.
What to do during the inspection
- Check the overall condition and cleanliness of the property.
- Test appliances, taps, heating, air conditioning, and other fittings to make sure they work properly.
- Ask about:
- Which bills or utilities you will need to pay
- How repairs and maintenance are handled
- The lease terms and any important rules
- Pay attention to the neighbourhood and environment—does it feel safe and comfortable? Is it quiet or busy?
For more information visit:
- Tenants Victoria: Inspections
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: Applying for a property
- Housing Victoria: Inspecting a property
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When searching for accommodation, be cautious of rental scams.
- Avoid transferring money or signing any agreements for private rental accommodation until you have inspected the property in person.
- Use official rental platforms
- Verify who you're dealing with.
- Check your agents credentials
- In Victoria, real estate agents must be licensed by Consumer Affairs Victoria. You can check whether an agent is legally registered and view any disciplinary history by searching thePublic Register of Licensed Estate Agents.
- Renting directly from a private landlord?
- If you’re renting without an agent, it’s extra important to confirm the landlord’s identity. Ask for a photo ID or other proof to make sure you’re dealing with a legitimate rental provider. This simple step helps protect you from scams.
- Check your agents credentials
⚠️ Important: If something feels suspicious or too good to be true, it probably is. For detailed guidance on how to protect yourself, refer to Consumer Affairs Victoria for tips on recognising and avoiding scams.
For more information:
For more information on scams or information on what to do if you’re targeted or to get support visit the Monash University Scams webpage.
Learn about rental scams, red flags for scams and the steps you can take to report them by visiting:
- Tenants Victoria: Rental scams infographic
- Watch this video on how to protect yourself from scams
Applying for private rental accommodation
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If you’ve inspected a property and want to rent it, it’s important to submit your application quickly — popular properties can be rented fast!
When applying, you’ll usually need to:
- Complete an application form (often online)
- Provide supporting documents that show you’re a reliable tenant, such as proof of income, identification, rental history, or references
These documents help the landlord or agent confirm that you can meet the rental terms and pay rent on time.
Documents you may need to provide and that can support your application include:
Identification
- Rental providers need to verify your identity.
- You may be asked to provide photo ID such as a passport or driver’s licence, or other forms of identification like a Medicare card, birth certificate, or health care card.
Rental history and references
- If you have rented before, sharing details of your past rental experience can show that you’re a responsible tenant.
- You might be asked to provide:
- Rent receipts or statements
- Contact details for previous landlords or rental agents
- Personal referees who can vouch for your character and reliability
Proof of income
- Rental providers want to be confident you can afford the rent. To show this, you may need to provide documents such as:
- Recent payslips
- Income statements
- Bank statements
- These documents help demonstrate your ability to make regular rent payments on time
Letter from financial guarantor
- If someone like a parent or sponsor will be supporting you financially, providing a signed letter from them can strengthen your rental application.
- This letter confirms their commitment to support you, which can give landlords or agents extra reassurance—especially if you don’t have a regular income or rental history in Australia.
Employment details
- Providing information about your current job and employment history helps show that you’re financially reliable.
- If you’re employed, be prepared to share:
- Your employer’s contact details
- Relevant employment documents, such as a contract or payslips
- This helps rental providers feel confident you can meet your rent payments.
Proof of enrolment
- Proof of enrollment shows that you are currently studying, which helps rental providers understand your stability and future plans.
- Monash students can request an Enrolment Verification Letter through Monash Connect which outlines your course of study, enrolment status, study load, and confirms that you are in good standing with the University.
For more information visit:
- Tenants Victoria: Applying for a rental property
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: Applying for a property
- Housing Victoria: Applying for a rental property
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The rental agreement between you and the rental provider (landlord) outlines the rights and responsibilities of both parties while you rent the property.
Victoria’s laws set out what can and cannot be included in a rental agreement to protect both tenants and landlords.
We strongly recommend that you read any rental agreement carefully before signing or agreeing to anything. Make sure you understand all the terms and conditions.
Types of rental agreements for residential properties
There are three common types of rental agreements for houses, units, and apartments:
- Short fixed-term agreements (for a set period, e.g., 3 or 6 months)
- Long fixed-term agreements (longer periods, such as 12 months)
- Periodic (month-to-month) agreements (ongoing agreements that continue until either party ends them)
Verbal vs written agreements
Rental agreements can be verbal or written, but a written agreement is strongly recommended because it clearly sets out your rights and responsibilities. There are laws about what can and cannot be included in a written rental agreement to protect both tenants and landlords.
Additional conditions in agreement
Sometimes, additional conditions may be added if requested by you (the renter) or the rental provider. However, some conditions are not allowed by law. It’s important to fully understand all conditions before you sign any agreement.
Consumer Affairs Victoria provides detailed information on:
- Rental agreements
- What should be in a rental agreement
- Different types of residential rental agreements
- Before moving in
- Changing agreements
- Conditions that cannot be in an agreement
- Forms you might need
For more information visit:
- Tenants Victoria: Rental agreements (leases)
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A bond is money you may need to pay at the start of your tenancy. It acts as security in case there are any disputes at the end of your tenancy—such as damage to the property, cleaning costs, or unpaid rent.
By law, the person you are renting from must lodge your bond amount with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) The RTBA holds the bond money safely until your tenancy ends.
Remember, the bond is your money. You should receive a confirmation from the RTBA once your bond has been lodged.
Consumer Affairs Victoria provides detailed information on:
- Bond amounts and payments
- Maximum bond amounts
- How and when bonds are paid
- Proof the bond has been lodged
- Managing bond payments in share houses
- When extra bond can be requested
For more information visit:
- Tenants Victoria: Bonds
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When you start a rental agreement, you usually need to pay rent in advance—this means paying rent before you move in. However, there are limits on how much rent a rental provider can request upfront.
Always pay your rent by the method agreed in your rental agreement (e.g., bank transfer, direct debit, or other) and keep receipts or proof of payment every time you pay rent.
For detailed information on rent payments and rent in advance limits, visit:
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: Rent payments and rent in advance
- Tenants Victoria: Starting a tenancy: Rent in advance
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As a renter, you're usually responsible for setting up and paying for your own utilities—like electricity, gas, and water usage. In some cases, utilities might be included in your rent—so it’s always worth checking your rental agreement carefully to understand exactly what you're responsible for.
For more information visit:
- Consumer Affairs Victoria : Setting up utilities and services
- Tenants Victoria: Utility charges
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A Condition Report records the state of a rental property at the start of your tenancy. It includes details about any damage, cleanliness issues, or faults.
This report is very important because it helps protect both you (the renter) and the rental provider when it comes time to claim your bond or resolve any disputes at the end of your tenancy.
How does it work?
- The rental provider or their agent prepares the Condition Report.
- They must sign it and give you two copies (or one copy if sent electronically) before you move in.
- If you notice anything in the report you don’t agree with, use the ‘renters comments’ section to write your notes about the property’s condition before returning a copy.
- You have 5 business days from your move-in date (as stated in your rental agreement) to complete the report with your comments.
Tips for protecting yourself
- Take photos and videos of the entire property—inside and out—both when you move in and when you move out.
- This helps you have clear evidence of the condition of the property at the start and end of your tenancy.
Consumer Affairs Victoria provides detailed information on:
- What is a condition report?
- Condition reports at the start of the agreement
- Disputes about the condition report
- Condition reports at the end of the agreement
- Claiming the bond using the condition report
- Condition of the property and repairs
- Cleaning responsibilities
- Forms you might need
For more information visit:
- Tenants Victoria: Condition reports
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Knowing your rights and responsibilities as a renter helps you avoid problems and makes your rental experience smoother.
You have the right to:
- Live in a safe, clean, and well-maintained property
- Have your privacy respected
- Receive a copy of the rental agreement and condition report
- Get repairs done promptly
You are responsible for:
- Paying rent on time
- Keeping the property clean and in good condition
- Following the terms of your rental agreement
- Not damaging the property
For more information visit:
- Consumer Affairs Victoria’s Renters Guide. It’s a vital resource to help you navigate your rights and responsibilities.
- Tenants Victoria: Renter’s duties.
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Make sure to check what furniture and appliances are included in the property you’re interested in, as this can vary widely.
- Some rental properties come fully furnished, while others are unfurnished.
- This can affect your budget since you may need to buy or rent furniture if it’s not included.
Tips for searching
- When using online rental platforms, you can often filter your search to show only furnished properties if that’s what you prefer.
- Keep in mind that many properties are rented unfurnished, so be prepared for that possibility.
While you're renting
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As a renter, you have the legal right to request repairs. Your home must be safe, functional, and well-maintained. If you have trouble getting your rental provider to act, there are steps you can take to get repairs done.
If something is broken or damaged, you must tell your rental provider in writing as soon as possible, especially if not fixing it quickly could cause more damage.
Types of Repairs
Victoria’s law divides repairs into urgent and non-urgent categories, as outlined by Tenants Victoria
Urgent repairs
- These are problems that affect your health, safety, or security and must be fixed immediately.
- Contact your rental provider or agent right away using the emergency contact in your rental agreement.
- If they don’t respond, you have the right to organise and pay for the repair yourself.
- For more information visit Consumer Affairs Victoria – Repairs
Non-urgent repairs
- For repairs that are not urgent, the rental provider has 14 days to fix the problem.
More information:
For more information on requesting repairs, the different types of repairs, and what to do if you rental provider is not responding to your requests for repairs visit:
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: Repairs and maintenance
- Tenants Victoria: Repairs and maintenance
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If you need to raise an issue—like requesting repairs or reporting a concern—it’s important to communicate clearly and in writing. This can be through emails, texts, or official messages via a property portal.
Tips for good communication
- Keep your messages clear, polite, and respectful
- You can agree to receive important information from your rental provider electronically, such as:
- Your rental agreement
- The condition report
- Information about your renting rights
- Notices such as inspection dates, rent increases, or repairs
Keep records
- Always keep a record of your communications, including dates and responses.
- These records can be used as evidence if a dispute arises or if the matter needs to be escalated to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
For more information visit:
Consumer Affairs Victoria: Communicating with your rental provider
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Rental providers (landlords) must follow the law. This means they must:
- Give proper notice before entering your home
- Carry out repairs promptly
- Maintain a safe and liveable property
- Respect your privacy
A landlord is breaking the rules if they:
- Enter the property without notice or your consent
- Fail to carry out urgent or non-urgent repairs
- Don’t keep the property in good condition
- Harass or intimidate you as a renter
Learn more about what rental providers can and can’t do by visiting:
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: Rental provider responsibilities
- Tenants Victoria: Landlord breaches and other notices
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- If you want to transfer (assign) your rental agreement to someone else or add another person to your lease, you must get written permission from your rental provider (landlord).
- The same rule applies if you want to sublet the property—you need their approval first.
- A rental provider cannot unreasonably refuse your request to transfer your agreement or sublet.
- If they do refuse without good reason you may be able to challenge the decision through Consumer Affairs Victoria or VCAT.
- Always put your request in writing, and keep a copy for your records.
Learn more about your rights by visiting:
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: People moving in and out
- Tenants Victoria - Lease Transfers and Subletting
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Rent increases must follow legal guidelines – they can’t happen anytime.
If your rental provider (landlord) wants to increase the rent, there are rules they must follow listed on the following websites:
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: Rent increases
- Tenants Victoria: Rent increases
👉 TIP
If you receive a rent increase notice and are unsure if it’s valid, or believe it’s excessive, you can seek advice from Consumer Affairs Victoria or call the Tenants Victoria Renter Support Line, which is free for all Victorian renters.
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As a renter, it’s your responsibility to pay your rent on time and in full, as agreed in your rental agreement.
If you know you’re going to be late:
- Contact your rental provider or agent as soon as possible
- Try to negotiate a new payment date—clear communication early on can help prevent formal action
While rental providers aren’t required to be flexible, they cannot charge you any ‘late fees’ or ‘administration fees’ for processing overdue rent. Doing so is illegal.
If a renter is late paying their rent because they haven’t paid by the due date, or has not paid at all, they are ‘in arrears’. There are rules about when and how a rental provider (landlord) can take action to recover unpaid rent.
If renters are more than 14 days late in paying rent (7 days for rooming house) the rental provider can give them a notice to vacate.
For more information on the consequences of late or unpaid rent (rent arrears) visit:
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: Late or unpaid rent (rent arrears)
- Tenants Victoria: Overdue rent
👉 FINANCIAL SUPPORT
If you're struggling with rent or facing difficulties, seek advice early from support services such as Housing Victoria or visit Monash University Financial Support Services.
Moving out - ending a rental agreement
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If you want to end your fixed term rental agreement (lease) early by breaking it, you can do so, but you may be asked to pay ‘lease break’ costs. Make sure to understand the following information:
Consumer Affairs Victoria : Leaving a rental property early or without notice (breaking the lease) outlines the following information:
- What it means to break a rental agreement
- Reasons a renter can end an agreement early without paying costs
- Costs for breaking an agreement
- Costs a renter doesn’t have to pay
- Disputing costs
- Leaving early because of hardship
- Forms you might need
Tenants Victoria: Ending your lease, provides the following information:
- Ending your agreement (lease) without costs
- Breaking your agreement (lease) with costs
- ‘Lease break’ costs
- Minimise costs
- Unreasonable costs
👉TIP: Seek advice - Call the Renter Support Hotline
If you are considering breaking your lease you may wish to contact the Tenants Victoria Renter Support Line to seek advice on what options you have to minimise any associated costs. This service is free and available to renters in Victoria.
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When you want to give notice to leave a property
When a fixed-term rental agreement ends, it usually automatically becomes a periodic agreement (like a month-to-month lease) until either you or the rental provider decide to end it.
If you're planning to move out of your rental property, you need to give your rental provider or agent a Notice of Intention to Vacate.
There are only certain reasons renters can end a rental agreement early without breaking the agreement (breaking the lease) and having to pay compensation or lease break fees.
Consumer Affairs Victoria provides information on:
- Reasons renters can give notice
- Withdrawing a notice of intention to vacate
- If renters do not leave
- How to give notice
- List of reasons and timeframes
- Forms you might need
There are some different rules for:
Rental providers issuing you a notice to vacate
- When a rental provider (landlord) wants a renter (tenant) to move out of the property, they can either talk to the renter to reach an agreement or give the renter a notice to vacate.
- Rental providers can only give notice for certain reasons. These reasons are listed by Consumer Affairs Victoria, along with other important information to understand about your rights as a renter when you are being asked to vacate.
For more information visit:
- Tenants Victoria: Ending Your Lease
- Consumer Affairs Victoria:Moving out, giving notice and evictions
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When it’s time to move out, following these steps can help you avoid problems with getting your bond back:
Know your end date
- Be clear about when your rental agreement finishes and how long you need to keep paying rent.
Clean the property
- You must leave the property reasonably clean, similar to how it was when you moved in (taking into account normal wear and tear).
- Don’t forget to remove all your personal belongings.
Use your condition report
- Compare the property’s condition at the end of your tenancy with the original condition report you completed when you moved in. This shows you’ve met your responsibilities and helps if there’s a dispute.
Take photos
- Before you hand back the keys, take clear photos of every room—especially places you cleaned or fixed. These photos can be useful if there’s a disagreement about your bond.
For more information visit:
- Tenants Victoria – Moving Out
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: Moving out, giving notice and evictions
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Bond money is returned to renters when they move out at the end of the agreement, unless there is a reason for the rental provider (landlord) to make a claim.
Rental providers can only start the bond claim once everyone has agreed on how to divide the bond. This includes the rental provider and any renter with their name on the bond with the RTBA.
If you can’t agree on the bond, either the renter or the rental provider can apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for a decision. Most applications to VCAT are free.
Consumer Affairs Victoria provides information on:
- Reasons for claiming bond
- Making claims and bond refunds
- How long bond refunds take
- How the RTBA repays a bond
- Bond disputes and problems
For more information visit:
- Tenants Victoria –Bonds
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: Bond
- Consumer Affairs Victoria:Renters guide - How to initiate contest or cancel claim for bond
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If you need support with rental issues, these services can help:
- Free and confidential advice for renters about all kinds of rental issues
- Specialised, free legal support for international students with work or housing issues.
- The state authority that oversees rental laws and handles complaints and disputes.
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
- Resolves rental disputes if informal resolution isn't possible.
- Free legal advice and support for Monash students, provided by final-year law students under professional supervision.
- Free online legal support for renters — including issues with repairs, evictions, and lease problems.