Rental Inspections

10 things to look for at a rental inspection; is this really the place I want to live?

MOIRA runs a private rental webinar in partnership with the Peninsula Community Legal Centre. If you are a participant of Your Journey services, we strongly encourage you to contact your Your Journey support worker and request to attend the webinar, prior to choosing your rental property.

Did you know that all Victorian rental properties must meet minimum standards for safety and quality?
Below are some ideas about what to look for to ensure the house you want to move into has the things that you need, and meets minimum standards set out by the Residential Tenancies Act 1997:

Mould - It can impact your health, it’s very good at hiding! Look for it behind curtains, on walls and close to windows.

Windows - They should not be able to be opened from outside the house, so it’s worth checking whether they can be secured from the inside.

Blinds – Any room that will be used as a bedroom or living area must have functional blinds.

Heating - There must be a fixed heater at all private rental properties in the main living area of the house.

These are just a few ideas to help you get started, there are other minimums standards that all Residential Rental Providers are required to follow in Victoria. For example, ensure there is safe gas provision and no gas leaks, electrical safety, and locks that can be operated by a key from the outside of the house. Review the Tenants Victoria website or the Consumer Affairs website for more information.

Here are some other things to consider:

The below are currently (as of October 2024) not minimum standards, so please keep in mind that this list has some suggestions for your consideration about what suits your circumstances best:

Cooling – If it’s something you want, keep an eye out for it! Keep in mind that an air conditioning system is likely to be more expensive than using a fan.

Storage – How much storage space do you need? Does the property have a pantry, linen cupboards, shed/garage, built in wardrobes etc?

Condition of the property

Is there any obvious damage to the property? How will it impact your living conditions?
Whose responsibility is it to maintain the garden?

Access to public transport

Do you need to utilise public transport?
Are there buses/trains/trams nearby?
If not, are you happy to walk for a while to access these services?

Personal safety

Are there outside lights? Could you access the property safely in the dark?
Consider the neighbourhood, do you feel safe there? Have you noticed anything strange happening on the street or around the block that has made you uneasy?

Pets

Are you allowed to have pets at this property, and is the property secure for a pet to live in?
You can submit a pet request form to your residential tenancy provider, find more information here on the Consumer Affairs Website.

This list is not exhaustive and is a starting point for preparing for rental inspections. You should do your own research to find more information about rental inspections, like this guide from Realestate.com.

Please note we are not affiliated with Realestate.com and cannot guarantee that any information they provide is accurate or correct. See our full disclaimer via the link below.

In summary, this information is general only and we’ve done our best to make sure it’s correct. We don’t endorse or partner with any of these external websites provided; What’s on their page is their responsibility. We don’t accept liability for any loss or damage caused by any information on this website or connections to this website. We strongly encourage you to think about your decisions and complete your own research.