Renters’ duties
You could be given a ‘notice of breach of duty’ from the rental provider if you do not follow your duties under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997.
Your duties as a renter include:
- Not causing a nuisance or interference with the peace, comfort or privacy of neighbours [section 60]
- Keeping the property in a reasonably clean condition [section 63]
- Not damaging the property or common areas [section 61]
- Allowing entry to the property if proper notice has been given [section 89]
In relation to locks, your duties are:
- Providing the rental provider with a key if you have changed a lock [section 70]
- Not changing a lock in a master key system without consent or an order from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) [sections 70, 71]
Regarding safety responsibilities your duties are:
- Not removing, deactivating or interfering with safety devices, unless it is reasonable in the circumstances to do so
- Reporting if a smoke alarm or pool fence is not in working order
- Not erecting a relocatable pool without first getting necessary approvals and notifying the rental provider [section 63A]
For any modifications to the property, your duties are:
- Not making modifications that need consent without first getting that consent
- Returning the property to its original condition on moving out, unless it has been agreed this does not need to be done [section 64]
Note that all the sections in brackets on this page, such as [section 60], refer to the Residential Tenancies Act 1997. There are links to all of them near the end of this page.