Many property owners prefer to cut out the real estate agent (and their fees) and simply self-manage their property themselves. Renting out your own property is certainly not rocket science, and can be an extremely rewarding experience (both financially and personally) but it is worthwhile getting the basics right so that you and your tenant are set-up for success.
Whilst each state in Australia has their own government agency and regulatory requirements to comply with, there are some consistent themes regarding the approach to renting out your own property. This article aims to provide readers with a quick reference guide on where to go and what to do when starting out.
Of course, at RentBetter.com.au our aim is to make this a seamless, frictionless experience for you and your tenant by including the necessary documents and compliance into our process – you can click here to sign-up and get started.
Starting a lease typically consists of 4 key elements, which have slightly different names depending on which state you are operating in, but ultimately have a similar intent and outcome. The ‘big 4’ are;
- Guide – A guide or checklist provides the tenant with a range of helpful items that they should know or understand before signing a lease
- Lease – A residential tenancy agreement (or lease) is the legal contract and terms and conditions between the owner and the tenant
- Bond – A rental bond is a security deposit a tenant pays at the start of a tenancy which is then lodged with the state government agency
- Condition report – This report records the general condition of the property, on a room by room basis, and is signed within the first 7 days of the lease by both the owner and tenant
New South Wales (NSW)
Office of Fair Trading – Phone 13 32 20
- Guide – to be provided to tenants prior to signing a lease
- Lease – to be completed and witnessed with tenants
- Bond
- Order a paper-based bond lodgement form – to be mailed to the Office of Fair Trading
- Register for the electronic bond lodgement – to be completed online
- Condition report – to be completed by the tenant within 7 days of moving in
Queensland (QLD)
Residential Tenancy Authority – Phone 1300 366 311
- Guide – some of the basic rules of renting in Queensland
- Lease – to be signed prior to, or within five days of moving in
- Bond – download a paper-based bond lodgement form
- Condition report – to be completed at the start of the tenancy
Victoria (VIC)
Consumer Affairs Victoria – Phone 1300 55 81 81
- Guide – new tenant checklist and tenancy guide for Victoria
- Lease – to be signed and with no cooling off period
- Bond – All rental bonds for properties in Victoria must be lodged with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority
- Condition report – to be completed at the start of the tenancy
Western Australia (WA)
Department of Commerce – Phone 1300 304 054
- Guide – Landlord and tenant guides for Western Australia
- Lease – Residential tenancy agreements
- Bond – All rental bonds for properties in WA must be lodged via the BondsOnline system
- Condition report – to be completed at the start of the tenancy
