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Renting guides

Every fact shows its official source and the date we checked it.

How we write 1Summarise from official pages 2Show sources and check dates 3Update when rules change
Tools

Tools you can use now

No sign-up needed. Your progress stays in your own browser.

Move-in and move-out checklist
Tick items off room by room, with reminders to take photos as evidence. Your progress is saved in your browser.
For condition report and bond rules, the official pages take priority.
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Monthly living cost calculator
Pick your housing type and school, add bills, transport and food, and get a range rather than an exact figure.
A living cost estimate only. It is not proof of funds for a visa.
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Housemate cost split and agreement
Split rent, bills and bond by room size, then create a one-page housemate agreement.
The agreement is a record between you and your housemates, not a legal document.
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How much to have ready before you move in
Enter your weekly rent and how you pay it to see the most you can be asked for in bond and rent in advance, and which fees should not be charged.
This is not legal advice. Your agreement and the official pages take priority.
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Renting timeline for before and after you arrive
Enter your arrival and move-in dates to get a dated to-do list: searching, signing, paying bond, connecting utilities, the condition report and notice to vacate. Export it to your calendar or print it.
Legal time limits: the official pages take priority.
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Renting letter generator
Choose a situation, fill in a few blanks and get a letter for your rental provider or agent, with a plain-English explanation alongside.
This is not legal advice. Check the letter before you send it.
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Just arrived

Just arrived? Start here

When to start looking, what to sort out after you land, and what each area is like.

Starting in Melbourne in February or July 2027: when should you start looking for a place to live?
Plan your housing around 2027 course dates: when to start, where to stay first, what to book before you leave and what to sign after arrival.
Read the article
Your first week in Melbourne: what to sort out first, and what can wait
Airport transport, SIM card, banking, Myki, university check-in and moving: put them in order, with documents and deadlines ready.
Read the article
Melbourne area guides
Ten areas: which universities are close, how many places are listed, typical rents by room type, plus local amenities and transport.
See the area guides

Have a specific question? The help centre groups common questions by topic, and you can search it.Go to the help centre

Changes · What changed recently

What changed recently

Victoria's rental rules have been changing in stages, and old numbers still circulate online. Below are only dates you can check on an official page, each with the date we checked it.

See the full official list (CAV)
  1. 25 Nov 2025In effect
    First batch of new rules: 90 days' notice for rent increases (it was 60), rental bidding is banned, and a notice to vacate needs a valid reason.
    CAV · New rules summaryCAV · Rent increasesChecked 5 Oct 2026
  2. 31 Mar 2026In effect
    Rental applications must use the standard form, and rental providers and agents can only ask for what the form lists.
    CAV · Applying for a propertyChecked 5 Oct 2026
  3. 1 Jun 2026In effect
    Half-price public transport starts. The official page says it runs until 1 January 2027.
    vic.gov.au · Half-price travelChecked 5 Oct 2026
  4. 1 Jul 2026In effect
    Renters can transfer an existing bond to a new rental property (conditions apply).
    CAV · New rules summaryThis site · Bond and the RTBAChecked 5 Oct 2026
  5. 9 Sep 2026In effect
    Renters can pay their bond directly to the RTBA. You must tell the rental provider in writing before they start lodging the bond.
    CAV · Lodging the bond with the RTBAThis site · Bond and the RTBAChecked 5 Oct 2026
  6. 13 Oct 2026In effect
    Bond claims require at least 3 business days' notice and supporting evidence; rental application fees are banned.
    CAV · New rules summaryThis site · Bond and the RTBAChecked 16 Oct 2026
  7. Today11 Nov 2026
    Still to come
  8. 1 Jan 2027Ending soon
    End date of half-price public transport (the official page says until 1 January 2027).
    vic.gov.au · Half-price travelChecked 5 Oct 2026
  9. 1 Mar 2027Starts in phases
    Minimum energy efficiency standards for rental homes start in phases: heating, cooling, hot water, showerheads, insulation and draughtproofing.
    CAV · New rules summaryChecked 16 Oct 2026
Articles

Find articles by stage

From before you leave to renewing or moving, pick a stage to see only its articles. You can also use the search box above.

Start with renting step by step

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Start with 6 articles per stage, in article order.

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Before you leave

2 articles
Scams and inspections
Stage · Before you leave

Rental scams: 8 warning signs, and why you should not pay before you have seen the place

If you have paid and suspect fraud, contact your bank immediately about stopping or recovering the payment. Otherwise pause and independently verify the room, authority, agreement and payee. Repeated photos, an overseas contact or a low price are clues, not proof of fraud.

7 min readChecked 9 Nov 2026
Scams and inspections
Stage · Before you leave

School bank details changed? Check before paying

If a university notice changes payment details, pause and independently contact student services or finance through the university website to verify your instructions. If payment has been sent, the actual payer should contact their bank immediately and ask the university to check its records.

4 min readChecked 9 Nov 2026

Finding a place

1 article
Scams and inspections
Stage · Finding a place

How to verify an agent, rental provider and business

For a Melbourne or Sydney rental, check identity, state agent credentials, business registration and authority for the exact property separately. Independently contact the agency to confirm the person, home and payment arrangements; a valid business or licence does not establish the sender's authority.

7 min readChecked 9 Nov 2026

Inspections

3 articles
Scams and inspections
Stage · Inspections

Inspection checklist: what to check and ask in 20 minutes

If inspection time is short, prioritise safety, locks, damp, water and supplied appliances, then ask about the start date, furniture and costs. Twenty minutes is a suggested allocation. Obtain permission before testing or photographing, and record anything unchecked.

6 min readChecked 9 Nov 2026
Scams and inspections
Stage · Inspections

Booking open inspections and planning a viewing day

Register where required, plan around each advertised window and travel time, and submit a separate rental application after viewing.

7 min readChecked 9 Nov 2026
Scams and inspections
Stage · Inspections

How do I check flood maps for a Melbourne rental address?

Before signing in Melbourne, use the Victorian DTP flood-tool and VicPlan entry points to research the address, then verify with the local council or Catchment Management Authority. A 1% AEP is not a fixed century-long interval, the official maps are for general reference only, and the unit, entrances and basement car park need separate questions to the rental provider.

8 min readChecked 9 Nov 2026
A one-page guide for parents

One printable page you can pass on to your parents.

Housing types comparedCostsRisks5 questions to ask an adviser
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Our service is free for student accommodation. Private rentals and sublets are paid services, and an adviser explains the fee before the service starts.
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