A GUIDE FOR TENANTS

Do not sign anything unless you understand 
what it means.
 Never sign a blank form, even if it looks official. All official notices you 
give your landlord or agent must include their name, your signature and other details 




At the beginning of a tenancy


• read and sign your ‘Residential Tenancy 
Agreement’ form
• keep a copy of anything you sign
• seek advice if you have a tenancy issue 
or question
• check that your new home is 
completely safe
• complete a ‘Condition Report’ if you 
have paid a bond – you can add to or 
edit a ‘Condition Report’ completed by 
an agent (see page 7 for details)
• consider taking photos of the property 
before you move in
• complete and sign the ‘Bond 
Lodgement’ form and keep the receipt 
(see page 7 for details)
• contact the utility companies of your 
choice to ensure these are connected by 
the time you move in.


During a tenancy
• communicate with your landlord or 
agent and keep them informed of any 
problems that may arise
• make sure you pay your rent on time 
• keep all records such as rent receipts
• keep your property reasonably 
clean; this will minimise any problems 
that may occur during a landlord or 
agent inspection



get written permission from your 
landlord if you wish to sub-let or assign 
the tenancy agreement to someone else 


• let your landlord or agent know of any 
repairs that need to be done (see pages 
12-13 for details) 
• put all requests to your landlord or 
agent in writing. Forms are available 
from Consumer Affairs Victoria.
At the end of a tenancy
• give adequate notice when planning 
to leave; the notice period will depend 
on your reason for leaving (see page 20 
for details)
• pay any outstanding rent
• check your responsibilities for separately 
metered utilities
• clean the property
• consider taking photos after you move 
your furniture out to show the condition 
of the property
• take all your belongings with you 
(see page 23 for details)
• keep the ‘Condition Report’ in case 
of a dispute
• try to agree with your landlord on 
the return of the bond (see page 23 
for details)
• if you have paid a bond, complete the 
‘Bond Claim’ form and return it to the 
Residential Tenancies Bond Authority. 
The form must be signed by your and 
your landlord or agent
• leave a forwarding address with your 
landlord or agent or Australia Post.