Victoria Residential Tenancy Agreement Explained + FREE Template

/

Blog

The Insider @ Houst
Last updated on
September 4, 2023
August 10, 2024

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Victoria Residential Tenancy Agreement Explained + FREE Template

Airbnb Management Services by Houst | Short-Term Rental Experts

About Houst

Houst is a leading property management company specialising in short-term and medium-term bookings in eight countries. With over 7 years of experience and managing over 300,000 bookings, we help homeowners make the most of their properties.

Learn More

Victoria is a place of fascinating tenancy practices! Surprisingly, for leases spanning less than 5 years, no stringent mandate exists for a written agreement. But fret not; wise landlords and tenants understand the importance of putting ink to paper.

Imagine this: you're all set to offer a tenant a delightful abode through a written tenancy agreement. The first step is to provide them with an unsigned copy of the lease. This allows them the precious time to peruse the terms meticulously and add their signature once contentment settles in their hearts. In this article, we’ll discuss the tenancy agreement VIC in detail.

Table of Contents

Purpose of Tenancy Agreement

The primary purpose of the Tenancy Agreement is twofold:

Documentation of Tenancy Details

The agreement serves as a formal record where both the landlord and tenant can document crucial information about the tenancy. A lease includes the names of the parties, duration, rent amount, and payment method.

Establishing Terms and Conditions

Another vital function of the agreement is to outline the specific terms and conditions of the tenancy. This encompasses various aspects, such as rent-related information, maintenance responsibilities, and tenants' and landlord rights Victoria. The agreement provides a framework for a smooth and mutually beneficial tenancy experience by clearly stating these terms.

The tenancy agreement VICt acts as a legal and practical tool that ensures transparency and clarity between the parties involved, fostering a harmonious landlord-tenant relationship throughout the tenancy period.

Types of Residential Rental Agreements

Here's a breakdown of the different types of residential rental agreements (leases):

  1. Short Fixed-Term Agreements
  • Fixed-term agreements are usually short, lasting 6 to 12 months, but they can also go up to 5 years.
  • Use written agreements instead of verbal ones to ensure clarity and protection, although both types are acceptable.
  • If a tenant stays in a property after their short-term agreement ends without signing a new one, it becomes a month-to-month agreement.

  1. Long Fixed-Term Agreements
  • Long fixed-term agreements are for durations exceeding 5 years.
  • People might choose long-term agreements for added security, stability, and the ability to pre-agree on rent increases and property alterations.
  • Specific laws apply to long-term agreements, including the possibility of bond top-ups after 5 years, renter-installed fixtures with prior agreement, and penalties for early termination.
  • If a rental agreement lasts a long time, it needs to be written down. If it's not written down, the renter can end the agreement without any consequences.

Periodic (Month to Month) Agreements

  • Month-to-month agreements do not have a specific end date and can be cancelled by either party at any time.
  • When a fixed-term agreement expires, and no new one is signed, it becomes periodic.
  • Original fixed-term agreement terms apply to new periodic agreements if it was for 5 years or less.
  • If a long fixed-term agreement ends and transitions into a periodic agreement, the rules of that periodic agreement will follow the standard fixed-term agreement (5 years or less) at the time the original lease ended.

ease agreement document and pen on a table, ready for signatures

Understanding the Need for a Tenancy Agreement in Victoria

In the vibrant state of Victoria, residential tenancy agreements can either be a written document or a verbal understanding. However, when opting for a written agreement, it's essential to adhere to the guidelines set by the Victorian Government, utilising their provided Standard Form agreement. Rest assured, whether written or oral, the same standard terms apply across the board.

Landlords must provide tenants with a copy of the written tenancy agreement VIC. The Victoria Government's standard Form Tenancy Agreement is designed to streamline the process, offering designated spaces to fill in relevant details while conveniently listing terms that align with Victorian law applicable to all agreements.

Before appending your signature to the agreement, take a moment to peruse the terms and refer to this helpful guide. Understanding the ins and outs of the agreement will ensure a harmonious and informed tenancy experience.

Tenancy Agreement Length in Victoria

In Victoria, there is no minimum length requirement for a tenancy agreement. However, certain specific scenarios affect the length of the agreement:

Fixed Term of 60 Days or Less

If the landlord lived in the premises before the tenant moved in and plans to return after a fixed term of 60 days or less, the agreement is valid. The agreement cannot be considered a residential tenancy. This applies only if the agreement explicitly states the landlord's prior residence and intention to return.

Fixed Term of More Than 5 Years

If a residential tenancy agreement is for more than 5 years without termination or extension provisions, the rules for residential tenancies don't apply.

Residential Tenancy Agreements: Essential Considerations

When delving into share house living, one must pay special attention to the tenancy agreement's crucial details. Specifically, the agreement should explicitly outline the areas of the premises the tenant holds exclusive possession of and the parts that are designated for shared use.

When renting a room in a shared house, they have their own private bedroom and shared spaces like the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry facilities. By describing the rights and landlord responsibilities Victoria of all parties involved, clarity paves the way for a pleasant and well-defined share accommodation experience.

Can You Change the Standard Form Agreement

Both the tenant and landlord can incorporate additional terms into the Standard Form Agreement, apart from the essential legal rules. However, it's essential to keep in mind certain limitations while making these changes:

Non-Contradictory and Non-Exclusionary

The additional terms must not contradict or alter the standard terms in any way. They also cannot attempt to exclude any of the standard terms from applying to the agreement.

Prohibited Additional Terms

Some additional terms are not allowed under Victorian law. These include:

  • Requiring a person to pay costs or fees for preparing the written agreement.
  • Terms considered "harsh" or "unconscionable" (in such cases, parties must apply to VCAT - Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal).

Free Victoria Residential Tenancy Agreement

The Victoria Residential Tenancy Agreement is crucial as it outlines the terms and conditions of the rental arrangement, protecting the rights of both tenants and landlords. Here’s a link to the free Victoria Residential Tenancy Agreement.  

Trust Houst: Your Premier Rental Property Management Partner

Looking for a seasoned ally to oversee your rental property? Look no further than Houst! With years of experience in the industry, we excel in property rental management, ensuring you a stress-free experience that exceeds your expectations. Our expertise lies in navigating the intricacies of up-to-date agreements and streamlining the holiday let management process for you. Worried about listing your property on platforms like Airbnb? Houst's expertise handles everything from Airbnb listing to Airbnb cleaning and maintenance.

Enjoy Houst as we take care of the nitty-gritty details. We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional service tailored to your needs. We’ll manage your short and long term lets and increase rental yield. Get Houst Franchise Partnership now!

The Insider @ Houst

The Insider @ Houst

The Insider team at Houst is dedicated to providing up-to-date and relevant information on short-term rentals. If you have hosting inquiries, please write to us at expert@houst.com. For guest inquiries, reach out at guest@houst.com. We are here to help you navigate the world of short lets and look forward to assisting you with your needs.

The Insider @ Houst

The Insider @ Houst

The Insider team at Houst is dedicated to providing up-to-date and relevant information on short-term rentals. If you have hosting inquiries, please write to us at expert@houst.com. For guest inquiries, reach out at guest@houst.com. We are here to help you navigate the world of short lets and look forward to assisting you with your needs.

Commission-Based
Pricing From

12%
of your
rental revenue
The commission depends on
the property profile and location

Complete property management services

We streamline the process of short-term lets and assist in maximising your rental revenue in London.

Listing Management

  • Multi-platform listings
  • Professional photography
  • Listing creation
  • Price optimisation

Guest Management

  • Guest vetting
  • Guest check-ins
  • Linen and toiletries
  • Guest communications

Property Management

  • Cleaning and housekeeping
  • Property maintenance
  • Property insurance
  • Property management software
I hope you enjoy reading this blog post!
If you want my team to just manage your Airbnb for you, just book a call.
TAP HERE to See Your Airbnb Earnings 🏠
See Your Airbnb Earnings Potential.

🔑 Use our Airbnb Calculator & Unlock Your Property's Full Potential

  • Maximise Your Earnings – Find out how much extra you could earn with Airbnb short-term rentals.
  • Tailored Insights – Receive a customized income estimate tailored to your property’s features and location.
  • Optimized Listings – Enhance your property’s appeal with our expert tips and industry insights.
  • 24/7 Management – Enjoy stress-free hosting with our comprehensive guest support and seamless check-ins

No commitments — just a fast, free estimate.

Close

We hope you enjoy our blog!

If you would like to find out more about how our team can help you get the most of your Airbnb, just book a call with us.

Thank you for providing your contact information!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
J’espère que vous apprécierez la lecture de cet article de blog !
Si vous souhaitez que mon équipe gère simplement votre Airbnb pour vous, réservez simplement un appel.
RÉSERVER UN APPEL
Cliquez ici pour obtenir plus de réservations !
Découvrez comment Houst peut améliorer la visibilité de votre Airbnb
  • Optimisation des annonces – Maximisez le potentiel de votre annonce. Faites l’expérience d’une croissance tangible.
  • Photographie professionnelle – Des visuels captivants qui attirent instantanément les invités.
  • Filtrage des invités – Garantir uniquement les invités les meilleurs et les plus sûrs pour votre propriété.
RÉSERVER UN APPEL
Close
Looking to scale your serviced accommodation?
Join Houst’s partnership program — book a call for details.
BOOK A CALL
Starting your Airbnb business?
Houst can help you get started in the serviced accommodation sector:
  • Fastracked growth: Quick portfolio expansion and up to 20% booking commission for property managers.
  • Guest Support and Tech: 24/7 support and tech streamlined operations, enhancing occupancy and guest service delivery.
  • Pricing Optimisation: Increased earnings with algorithm-based pricing strategies.
BOOK A CALL
Close