Notice of entry - When a rental provider or agent enters the property.
What are the reasons why a rental provider or agent is entering a property?
The rental property owner or their representative is allowed to access the property only for the following purposes:
Conducting a general inspection to ensure the property is in good condition, which is also known as a routine inspection.
Undertaking necessary repairs or fulfilling other legal obligations as required by law.
Showing the rental property to potential renters, buyers, or lenders to assess their interest.
Arranging for a professional valuer or real estate agent to value the property.
Taking photos or videos to promote the rental property.
Believing that the renter has breached their legal obligations under the Residential Tenancies Act or their rental agreement, such as causing damage to the property.
Inspecting the rental property for VCAT proceedings related to family violence if a renter has applied to end or modify the rental agreement due to family violence.
There are specific rules and notice periods that must be followed for each of these reasons, and certain protocols that must be adhered to during entry.
Telling a renter about a plan to enter the property.
Before a landlord or their representative enters the rental property, they have to let you know beforehand.
How much notice they need to give you depends on why they need to enter the property.
General inspection (routine inspection) - 7 days
Repairs or other legal responsibilities - 24 hours
Showing the property to renters, buyers or lenders - 48 hours
Having the property valued -7 days
Taking photos or making videos for advertising - 7 days
Believing the renter has broken their obligations - 24 hours
Family violence proceedings in VCAT - 24 hours
It should be a written notice and declare the reason for entry.
When delivering a notice.
To notify the renter, the notice should be given in either of the following ways:
By post, ensuring sufficient time for delivery.
In person, during the hours of 8am and 6pm.
If you opt to send the notice by mail, it's essential to consider the mailing time depending on the delivery method and your location. To determine the delivery time, you can visit the Australia Post website. If you want proof of sending the notice, you can use registered post.
In summary, when a landlord needs to give notice to the renter, they can do so by post or in-person during specific hours. If mailed, the notice delivery time depends on the delivery method and location, and you can use registered post to obtain proof of delivery.
When a rental provider can enter a property.
The rental property owner or their representative may enter the premises between 8 am and 6 pm on any day except public holidays. If entry is needed outside these hours, the renter's consent is required, which must be obtained no later than 7 days before the requested entry date.
If the renter has a legitimate reason for wanting to limit the rental provider's access to specific times, they can seek help from VCAT to establish these restrictions.