Buying
Renting
Can I transfer my lease to a someone else?
As a renter, if you wish to move out of your rental property and have found someone available to take over your rental agreement, you may speak to your Property Manager to discuss this with your rental provider.
Renters must obtain written consent from their rental provider before proceeding to transfer their lease. There may be a number of considerations for you regarding the transfer of lease process and it is best to discuss these with your Property Manager. If you and your Property Manager have decided a transfer is the best option for you, download our Tenancy Application form.
What if I am unable to make a rent payment?
As a renter, you are responsible for paying your rent on time. Ensuring your payments are always on time increases your credibility and is a major factor when being considered as a prospective tenant.
If you know you are going to make a late payment, you should contact your property manager as soon as possible prior to the payment due date with reasons and an expected payment date. This will allow the rental provider to make financial arrangements in advance and allow time to come to a reasonable solution together.
If your rent is overdue by 14 days or more , your rental provider can issue a notice to vacate.
Where can I find information about the rules and legislation around renting?
You can visit Consumer Affairs Victoria or refer to the renters’ guide provided to you upon lease commencement. Alternatively, feel free to reach out to your property manager.
Am I allowed to make minor modifications to the property?
Some specific modifications to your rental property are allowed without needing consent from your rental provider. However, you will need to return the property to its original state upon vacating (normal wear and tear is accepted). For a list of permitted modifications, visit Consumer Affairs Victoria.
How do I arrange repairs for the property?
You can easily request any repairs for your property via our “Request a Repair” portal here. If your repair is of an urgent nature, it will be auto-allocated and assigned a provider within 4 hours. Urgent repair requests submitted outside of business hours will also be automatically allocated via the portal. Alternatively, if your request is urgent and falls outside of business hours, you can also contact ABLE Maintenance on (03) 8616 8365.
Before submitting an urgent repair request, you should check that it is legally classified as urgent here. Please be aware, that if you request an urgent repair and it is subsequently deemed non-urgent, you will be liable for associated costs. You will also be liable should the repair be deemed necessary because of renter mis-use, malicious damage or caused by reasons outside fair wear and tear.
What happens if my rental provider decides to sell the property?
Your rental provider will provide you 14 days notice of intention to sell. Following this, the sales agent will then work with you to schedule property inspections, you will be provided with 48 hours notice prior to any inspection. Then, following the sale of the property, if the new owner wishes to move in you will be provided 60 days notice to vacate. Alternatively, you may be allowed to extend your agreement if the new owner wishes to maintain the property as a rental.
What happens if I need to break my lease?
If you wish to break your lease early, you will need to complete and send the Request to Break Lease form to your Property Manager as soon as possible. This will allow for your Property Manager to arrange a release of the property quickly and therefore save you some of the associated costs. You can check your Lease Agreement to find out any of the fees you may be charged when breaking your lease early. Alternatively, your Property Manager will also be able to inform you.
What happens when my lease expires?
Generally, your property manager will contact you to discuss the lease renewal option prior to your lease expiring.
You can accept the new fixed-term lease offered by the rental provider or choose to remain on a periodic lease (month to month lease).
If you wish to vacate the property when the lease expires, you will need to provide 28 days notice to vacate in writing to your property manager. Your property manager will walk you through the vacating process and return the bond to you if the property is returned in a satisfactory condition.
What documents do I need when applying for a property?
When applying for a rental property, you should be prepared to provide the following information:
- Your identification. This needs to be photo identification and can be in the form of a Driver’s License or Passport. You will also need to potentially provide a Medicare card, birth certificate or car registration as additional sources.
- Proof of residency. This can be your Passport or Visa.
- Proof of income. This can be in the form of payslips from your employer or bank statements showing your account balances.
- Personal and/or professional references. You will need to provide the names and contact information of referees who will be able to provide you a reference.
- Other supporting documentation. This might include copies of previous rental receipts (if you have rented previously) and copies of previous utility accounts.
Selling
Property
Management
Can I sell my property while it is currently leased?
The short answer is yes, you can sell your property even if it has existing tenants. A property owner has the right to sell your property and end a periodic lease agreement with your tenant (month to month or week to week). If you are within a fixed term lease agreement, you will need to sell your property as tenanted. While this might attract investor-buyers, you might alienate a significant portion of buyers who wish to occupy their home.
How long will it take to sell my house?
The time it takes to sell your property will depend on a number of factors, and a Melcorp Real Estate Agent will guide you through these by discussing the below:
- The average number of days homes spend on the market in your area. This can be highly telling and provide an accurate insight into how your home will fare.
- Are you in a sellers or buyers market? Our agents will give you access to valuable reporting and access to market information. Determining whether you are selling in a buyers or sellers market will consider factors like the number of similar homes also for sale in your area, the size of the potential buying pool, interest rates and unemployment rates. Each of these market factors can affect how quickly your property will sell and at what price.
- Choosing an auction or listing the property for sale. An auction is often considered the best method of sale during a sellers market. This is because an auction can very quickly drive up the price of your property. A Melcorp Real Estate agent will be able to discuss this choice with you thoroughly, and offer advice on the best method of sale for your individual property.
Why do I need to be out of the house for inspections?
Being out of the house for inspections is standard practice in real estate. This is because it allows buyers to feel truly comfortable when viewing the property and therefore creating a space where they might be able the visualise the home as their own. Buyers can dream about what it might be like to live there, raise a family there, entertain or renovate. This process allows buyers to become emotionally invested in the property – an aspect not to be underestimated in the property sale process.
How do I prepare my home to sell?
There are a number of options at different price points to prepare your home for sale. These can include the following:
Professional photography: Professional photography is a must when selling. The first time a potential buyer will see your property is in the photos online, it is important to catch their attention to attract them to view the property.
Virtual furniture: Virtual furniture can be added to the photos of an empty or partially furnished home, helping the buyer to visualise how the space would look when furnished.
Property styling: Melcorp Real Estate have partnerships with high-end interior designers that can lease out and style furniture in your home during the sale campaign for your property. Getting your home professionally styled with a furniture package can be very beneficial to the sale outcome of your property.
What is the agent’s role at an Open for Inspection?
An agent’s role at an open for inspection is to engage with and provide information to potential buyers. A Melcorp Real Estate agent will be present at all of your inspection appointments. They will collect contact information from the potential buyers and gain an understanding of what their expectations are in a home. Agents will also ensure to follow up with all potential buyers following inspections and will provide a report to the vendor regarding which parties might be interested.
What is the role of a real estate agent when selling a property?
The role of an agent when selling your property is simple – to act as your representative and in your best interests throughout the entire sale of your home process.
Using a real estate agent with solid experience about your property’s area and likely buyers is key to obtaining a desirable sale as soon as possible. Melcorp Real Estate are experts when it comes to matching appropriate buyers to the right property and serve to obtain the best price for your home.
A Melcorp Real Estate agent will proceed to inform you of current market trends and give you professional and realistic advice about a sale price you can expect for your home. They will then arrange high-level marketing, which will cover print and digital mediums, list your home on all relevant online platforms and offer advice on staging and styling your home for inspections. Following this, you will then be advised whether to advertise your property for sale (with a price) or to put it up for auction or expressions of interest. The advantages and disadvantages of each of these options will be discussed with you. Following the sale of your property, your agent will be in communication with you up until settlement occurs.
Can I end a lease agreement before its official end?
There are a number of exceptional reasons a rental provider can legally terminate a lease prior to the fixed term end date. These reasons are listed on the Consumer Affairs Victoria website.
Melcorp Real Estate can help you issue the correct Notice to Vacate and navigate VCAT process when lodging formal disputes.
Can I increase the rent during the lease period?
A rental provider cannot increase rent during a fixed term lease agreement, unless the rental agreement states otherwise. Outside of a fixed term lease agreement, a rental provider can increase the rent no more than once every 12 months and must provide 60 days notice to a renter of the rent increase. Melcorp Real Estate will review market rent prices and ensure that the rental provider achieves optimum rent.
How do I make my property more appealing to renters?
There are a number of options for rental providers to assist in making a property appealing to renters. These can include the following:
• Establishing a competitive rent
• Ensuring your property is presented in a neat, presentable condition
• Getting your property professionally photographed
• Adding virtual furniture to property photos, if your property is empty
• Professional property styling
Melcorp Real Estate can provide free rental appraisals and professional, tailored advice on improving your property’s rental appeal.
How long is a typical lease?
The lease term is flexible and dependent on the agreement of the rental provider and the renter. Lease agreements are most commonly 12 months in Victoria. A Melcorp Real Estate agent will be able to determine what length lease agreement suits your property best with you. Our agents will also ensure properties lease agreements finish in peak lease periods. This can assist rental providers in having as short a vacancy period as possible.
How much rent can I expect to receive for my property?
A Melcorp Real Estate agent will walk you through the rental process and give you an accurate guide about how much rent you can expect to achieve for your property. Find out more about our services for rental providers here.
In short, how much rent you might achieve for your property will depend on a number of factors. These can include:
• The type of property (house, apartment, unit, townhouse etc.)
• The price of other rentals in the same area
• The property features and (if applicable) building facilities
• Your property’s location desirability. i.e. if it is close to transport, shopping, lifestyle amenities etc.
• Is it a rental provider’s or renter’s market? i.e. how large is the pool of renters vs. the number of rental properties available in the area?
Finance
First Home
Buyer
Industry
Can I transfer my lease to a someone else?
As a renter, if you wish to move out of your rental property and have found someone available to take over your rental agreement, you may speak to your Property Manager to discuss this with your rental provider.
Renters must obtain written consent from their rental provider before proceeding to transfer their lease. There may be a number of considerations for you regarding the transfer of lease process and it is best to discuss these with your Property Manager. If you and your Property Manager have decided a transfer is the best option for you, download our Tenancy Application form.
What if I am unable to make a rent payment?
As a renter, you are responsible for paying your rent on time. Ensuring your payments are always on time increases your credibility and is a major factor when being considered as a prospective tenant.
If you know you are going to make a late payment, you should contact your property manager as soon as possible prior to the payment due date with reasons and an expected payment date. This will allow the rental provider to make financial arrangements in advance and allow time to come to a reasonable solution together.
If your rent is overdue by 14 days or more , your rental provider can issue a notice to vacate.
Where can I find information about the rules and legislation around renting?
You can visit Consumer Affairs Victoria or refer to the renters’ guide provided to you upon lease commencement. Alternatively, feel free to reach out to your property manager.
Am I allowed to make minor modifications to the property?
Some specific modifications to your rental property are allowed without needing consent from your rental provider. However, you will need to return the property to its original state upon vacating (normal wear and tear is accepted). For a list of permitted modifications, visit Consumer Affairs Victoria.
How do I arrange repairs for the property?
You can easily request any repairs for your property via our “Request a Repair” portal here. If your repair is of an urgent nature, it will be auto-allocated and assigned a provider within 4 hours. Urgent repair requests submitted outside of business hours will also be automatically allocated via the portal. Alternatively, if your request is urgent and falls outside of business hours, you can also contact ABLE Maintenance on (03) 8616 8365.
Before submitting an urgent repair request, you should check that it is legally classified as urgent here. Please be aware, that if you request an urgent repair and it is subsequently deemed non-urgent, you will be liable for associated costs. You will also be liable should the repair be deemed necessary because of renter mis-use, malicious damage or caused by reasons outside fair wear and tear.
What happens if my rental provider decides to sell the property?
Your rental provider will provide you 14 days notice of intention to sell. Following this, the sales agent will then work with you to schedule property inspections, you will be provided with 48 hours notice prior to any inspection. Then, following the sale of the property, if the new owner wishes to move in you will be provided 60 days notice to vacate. Alternatively, you may be allowed to extend your agreement if the new owner wishes to maintain the property as a rental.
What happens if I need to break my lease?
If you wish to break your lease early, you will need to complete and send the Request to Break Lease form to your Property Manager as soon as possible. This will allow for your Property Manager to arrange a release of the property quickly and therefore save you some of the associated costs. You can check your Lease Agreement to find out any of the fees you may be charged when breaking your lease early. Alternatively, your Property Manager will also be able to inform you.
What happens when my lease expires?
Generally, your property manager will contact you to discuss the lease renewal option prior to your lease expiring.
You can accept the new fixed-term lease offered by the rental provider or choose to remain on a periodic lease (month to month lease).
If you wish to vacate the property when the lease expires, you will need to provide 28 days notice to vacate in writing to your property manager. Your property manager will walk you through the vacating process and return the bond to you if the property is returned in a satisfactory condition.
What documents do I need when applying for a property?
When applying for a rental property, you should be prepared to provide the following information:
- Your identification. This needs to be photo identification and can be in the form of a Driver’s License or Passport. You will also need to potentially provide a Medicare card, birth certificate or car registration as additional sources.
- Proof of residency. This can be your Passport or Visa.
- Proof of income. This can be in the form of payslips from your employer or bank statements showing your account balances.
- Personal and/or professional references. You will need to provide the names and contact information of referees who will be able to provide you a reference.
- Other supporting documentation. This might include copies of previous rental receipts (if you have rented previously) and copies of previous utility accounts.
Can I sell my property while it is currently leased?
The short answer is yes, you can sell your property even if it has existing tenants. A property owner has the right to sell your property and end a periodic lease agreement with your tenant (month to month or week to week). If you are within a fixed term lease agreement, you will need to sell your property as tenanted. While this might attract investor-buyers, you might alienate a significant portion of buyers who wish to occupy their home.
How long will it take to sell my house?
The time it takes to sell your property will depend on a number of factors, and a Melcorp Real Estate Agent will guide you through these by discussing the below:
- The average number of days homes spend on the market in your area. This can be highly telling and provide an accurate insight into how your home will fare.
- Are you in a sellers or buyers market? Our agents will give you access to valuable reporting and access to market information. Determining whether you are selling in a buyers or sellers market will consider factors like the number of similar homes also for sale in your area, the size of the potential buying pool, interest rates and unemployment rates. Each of these market factors can affect how quickly your property will sell and at what price.
- Choosing an auction or listing the property for sale. An auction is often considered the best method of sale during a sellers market. This is because an auction can very quickly drive up the price of your property. A Melcorp Real Estate agent will be able to discuss this choice with you thoroughly, and offer advice on the best method of sale for your individual property.
Why do I need to be out of the house for inspections?
Being out of the house for inspections is standard practice in real estate. This is because it allows buyers to feel truly comfortable when viewing the property and therefore creating a space where they might be able the visualise the home as their own. Buyers can dream about what it might be like to live there, raise a family there, entertain or renovate. This process allows buyers to become emotionally invested in the property – an aspect not to be underestimated in the property sale process.
How do I prepare my home to sell?
There are a number of options at different price points to prepare your home for sale. These can include the following:
Professional photography: Professional photography is a must when selling. The first time a potential buyer will see your property is in the photos online, it is important to catch their attention to attract them to view the property.
Virtual furniture: Virtual furniture can be added to the photos of an empty or partially furnished home, helping the buyer to visualise how the space would look when furnished.
Property styling: Melcorp Real Estate have partnerships with high-end interior designers that can lease out and style furniture in your home during the sale campaign for your property. Getting your home professionally styled with a furniture package can be very beneficial to the sale outcome of your property.
What is the agent’s role at an Open for Inspection?
An agent’s role at an open for inspection is to engage with and provide information to potential buyers. A Melcorp Real Estate agent will be present at all of your inspection appointments. They will collect contact information from the potential buyers and gain an understanding of what their expectations are in a home. Agents will also ensure to follow up with all potential buyers following inspections and will provide a report to the vendor regarding which parties might be interested.
What is the role of a real estate agent when selling a property?
The role of an agent when selling your property is simple – to act as your representative and in your best interests throughout the entire sale of your home process.
Using a real estate agent with solid experience about your property’s area and likely buyers is key to obtaining a desirable sale as soon as possible. Melcorp Real Estate are experts when it comes to matching appropriate buyers to the right property and serve to obtain the best price for your home.
A Melcorp Real Estate agent will proceed to inform you of current market trends and give you professional and realistic advice about a sale price you can expect for your home. They will then arrange high-level marketing, which will cover print and digital mediums, list your home on all relevant online platforms and offer advice on staging and styling your home for inspections. Following this, you will then be advised whether to advertise your property for sale (with a price) or to put it up for auction or expressions of interest. The advantages and disadvantages of each of these options will be discussed with you. Following the sale of your property, your agent will be in communication with you up until settlement occurs.
Can I end a lease agreement before its official end?
There are a number of exceptional reasons a rental provider can legally terminate a lease prior to the fixed term end date. These reasons are listed on the Consumer Affairs Victoria website.
Melcorp Real Estate can help you issue the correct Notice to Vacate and navigate VCAT process when lodging formal disputes.
Can I increase the rent during the lease period?
A rental provider cannot increase rent during a fixed term lease agreement, unless the rental agreement states otherwise. Outside of a fixed term lease agreement, a rental provider can increase the rent no more than once every 12 months and must provide 60 days notice to a renter of the rent increase. Melcorp Real Estate will review market rent prices and ensure that the rental provider achieves optimum rent.
How do I make my property more appealing to renters?
There are a number of options for rental providers to assist in making a property appealing to renters. These can include the following:
• Establishing a competitive rent
• Ensuring your property is presented in a neat, presentable condition
• Getting your property professionally photographed
• Adding virtual furniture to property photos, if your property is empty
• Professional property styling
Melcorp Real Estate can provide free rental appraisals and professional, tailored advice on improving your property’s rental appeal.
How long is a typical lease?
The lease term is flexible and dependent on the agreement of the rental provider and the renter. Lease agreements are most commonly 12 months in Victoria. A Melcorp Real Estate agent will be able to determine what length lease agreement suits your property best with you. Our agents will also ensure properties lease agreements finish in peak lease periods. This can assist rental providers in having as short a vacancy period as possible.
How much rent can I expect to receive for my property?
A Melcorp Real Estate agent will walk you through the rental process and give you an accurate guide about how much rent you can expect to achieve for your property. Find out more about our services for rental providers here.
In short, how much rent you might achieve for your property will depend on a number of factors. These can include:
• The type of property (house, apartment, unit, townhouse etc.)
• The price of other rentals in the same area
• The property features and (if applicable) building facilities
• Your property’s location desirability. i.e. if it is close to transport, shopping, lifestyle amenities etc.
• Is it a rental provider’s or renter’s market? i.e. how large is the pool of renters vs. the number of rental properties available in the area?