Leasing

Rental provider

Why choose Jellis Craig to manage your investment?

Private investors, property owners and developers rely on Jellis Craig’s team of committed property experts to manage their investments, nurture capital growth and maximise returns. Our experienced Property Managers have an expert knowledge of Melbourne’s rental market, the process of advertising your property, selecting the right renter, maintaining your investment and making the process of leasing your property stress free.

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Our expertise

We manage over 20,500 properties for private investors, property owners and developers. Jellis Craig’s experienced property managers have an expert knowledge of Melbourne’s rental market, the process of advertising your property, selecting the right renter and maintaining your investment, making the process of leasing your property stress free.

Our industry-best training

Our Property Management teams engage in regular customised property management skills-based training with industry experts. Including regular compliance training to ensure less risk to owners.

Rental provider portal

As a property owner, it’s imperative to retain all the important information related to your property, without having to spend hours sifting through documents and files. That’s where PropertyMe Owner Access comes in, allowing you to view key property and tenancy information in one place. Owner Access gives you 24/7 access to financial information, keeping you in the loop at all times. You can track financial activity while keeping tabs on outstanding jobs and routine inspections.

Reach out to your property manager to set up your login to the portal. Available on desktop or via an app on your smart phone.

Our customised approach

With each property manager focusing intimately on a portfolio of properties you can be assured you will be provided a personalised and professional service.

Discover the current rental market value of your home with a property appraisal.

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FAQS

How much is a bond and who looks after it?

Bonds are fixed at one month of rent if the weekly rental amount is less than $900. You can seek extra bond if the weekly rent is higher than $900. You can also ask for a higher bond if the tenant wants to make modifications to your property - but not because they have a pet. In Victoria, the bond is held in security by the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) until the end of the residential tenancy agreement, or lease. Any interest generated goes to running the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The bond can only be released to the renter or rental provider when both sign a bond claim form. The tenant cannot use any of the bond money instead of rent.
How often can the rent be increased?

Under new legislation, you can only increase rent once every 12 months, not every 6 months as was previously the case. If you want to increase the rent during a fixed-term rental agreement, the amount or how the increase will be calculated must be included in the rental agreement. We will provide you with an annual rental review to ensure rent is at market level.
What is a notice to vacate?

A notice to vacate is a formal statement you are required by law to provide if you want to end a rental agreement. You can only give notice to vacate for certain reasons, such as if the tenant recklessly damages the property, fails to comply with a VCAT order, or is more than 14 days late with rent. In this case there a new 14-day vacate notices to remove tenants that engage in threatening or intimidating behaviour toward property managers, or who recklessly cause damage. You can only end a tenancy using an ‘end of fixed-term’ notice to vacate at the end of the tenant’s first fixed-term lease. If you plan to move into the property at the end of the fixed term agreement, this must be include in the ‘additional terms’ section of the renal agreement. If you are giving notice to vacate for this reason, you must include evidence with the notice to vacate. Renters are required to vacate the property within 14 days after the end of fixed-term date. Once the lease rolls over to a periodic or a renewal is signed, this type of notice no longer applies. When a tenant receives an ‘end of fixed-term’ notice they can give 14 days’ notice to leave and are not required to wait until the end of the lease.
What happens if my property is damaged?

If a renter damages your property, the bond can be used for return caused damage through mutual agreement. If there is a dispute about this between you and the renter, you can apply to VCAT within 14 days of the renter vacating the premises. If a renter fails to leave your property clean and in good repair, you can claim some or all of this bond at the end of the lease.
What happens if the renter doesn’t pay rent?

If a renter is 14 days late on their rent, they can be issued a notice to vacate for unpaid rent. If they pay, this is then cancelled. However, if they are late five times during a 12-month period, the notice to vacate will remain valid.
Do I need a Property Manager?

You don’t legally need a Property Manager, but the vast majority of rental providers choose to have one for a wide range of reasons. A good Property Manager will help you navigate the rental regulations, maximise your rent, find and keep the best renters and take care of the day-to-day running of the property, including repairs, inspections, and dealing with problems that require going to the tribunal.
When can I enter my property?

You or your Property Manager can enter the property while a renter is in residence for several reasons, but you must seek permission in writing from the renter, and you can only enter between the hours of 8am and 6pm and not on public holidays. The reasons for entry include to carry out routine inspections, repairs, show the property to potential renters, buyers or lenders, have the property valued, take photos or video, or if the renter has breached the lease. The amount of notice depends on the reason for entering.
Can renters have pets?

Under a new law that came into effect in March 2021, you cannot “unreasonably refuse consent” for a renter to have a pet. You have 14 days to respond to their request, and if you fail to do so, the renter has the automatic right to keep the animal on your property. Renters must fill out a Consumer Affairs Victoria Pet Request Form for every pet they wish to keep, other than assistance dogs, which are already permitted under the Equal Opportunity Act. To deny their application, you will have to go to VCAT for a ruling, which will be made based on the type of pet, the nature of the property and laws such as council regulations. If VCAT makes an order banning the pet, the renter has 14 days to comply. They are responsible for any damage or nuisance caused by the animal.
What happens if something needs to be repaired?

Unless the damage has been caused by the renters, repairs are the responsibility of the rental provider. Urgent repairs, which include dangerous electrical faults, gas leaks or serious water leaks, blocked or broken toilets, or breakdown of an essential service such as a hot water service, must be made immediately. If you do not respond in a timely manner, the renters can organise and pay for the repairs themselves. You then have 7 days to repay the renter for the expenses occurred, for up to $2500. Non-urgent repairs must be made within 14 days of receiving a written request. Your renters must continue to pay rent while repairs are being done and cannot withhold rent until work is completed. However, they can apply to VCAT to pay rent into a special fund until any dispute over repairs is resolved.
Can renters make modifications without my consent?

Renters can make some minor modifications to a property without the owner’s permission. This includes installing a wireless doorbell, adhesive child-proof locks, a lock on the letterbox, picture hooks and shelves, wall anchors, low-flow shower heads and LED lights and removable safety devices. For other more significant changes they need to seek permission. Renters are also required to restore the property to the condition it was in before they moved in, or pay a reasonable amount for you to carry out rectification work.
What are Minimum Standards?

Rental providers must ensure their property meets minimum standards across 14 categories. Under these standards, rental properties must have locks on all external doors and windows, bathrooms must have a washbasin and a shower or bath, and be connected to a reasonable supply of hot and cold water, and windows in rooms likely to be used as bedrooms or living areas must be fitted with working curtains or blinds. All rooms must have ventilation and there must be a fixed heater in good working order in the main living area. If the property does not meet these minimum standards, renters can end their lease before moving in, or request an urgent repair. To read more visit: https://www.jelliscraig.com.au/blog/residential-tenancies-act-amendments-2021
What are safety check obligations?

By law, electrical safety checks of all electrical installations and fittings, and all gas appliances such as heaters and stoves, must be checked by a licensed electrician and gas fitter every two years. You also need to keep records of safety checks conducted at the property. If these safety checks have not been conducted within the last two years at the time the renter occupies the premises, the rental provider must arrange a gas or electrical safety check as soon as possible. Smoke alarms must be checked annually by a licenced electrician.  
What are penalty points?

Consumer Affairs Victoria can issue infringement notices to rental providers if they breach the Residential Tenancies Act. These include penalty points, which incur a fine. For the 2020-21 financial year, a penalty unit equals $181.74, but this amount can change at the start of each financial year. If you refuse to let a property to a person because they intend to live there with a child for example, you can be fined 25 penalty units. If you take or dispose of a renter’s property because they are in arrears for rent, you can be fined 60 penalty units. Another example includes, compelling a renter to vacate unlawfully incurs which incurs a fine of 150 units. To read more visit: https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/renting/legal-and-dispute-support/penalties
What insurance do I need?

You will need to have building and public liability insurance, and insurance is also highly advised. This type of insurance can protect you against loss of rent, and renter-related damage, and is tax-deductible. We have partnered with EBM RentCover to provide an industry leading policy available to our clients. To read more visit; https://www.rentcover.com.au/insurance/landlord

At Jellis Craig, our exceptional Property Management team are here to answer all your questions. From finding the right renter, to taking care of day-to-day administration and freeing you from routine inspections and maintenance checks, they can make life as a rental provider hassle-free.

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