Unsure who pays for repairs in a rental property? Learn the responsibilities of landlords and tenants in Victoria, including urgent repairs, fair wear and tear, and damage caused by tenants.

Victoria's property market has been through a challenging few years, but one thing remains clear: quality rental properties in the right locations continue to perform strongly. As affordability pushes more tenants further from Melbourne's CBD and population growth continues, investors are increasingly looking for suburbs with strong rental demand, healthy yields, and long-term growth potential. Here are five Victorian suburbs worth watching in 2026. 1. Melton South Why invest

Raising the rent is one of the most common concerns for property investors. While it's important to keep your rental income in line with the market, increasing the rent too aggressively can result in good tenants moving out—leading to vacancy periods, reletting costs, and unnecessary stress. The good news is that with the right strategy, you can increase your rent while maintaining a positive relationship with your tenants. A fair rent increase starts with understanding the m

Most Landlords Only See the Tip of the Iceberg Many property investors assume a property manager's job is simply collecting rent and finding tenants. In reality, a good property manager is working behind the scenes almost every day to protect your investment, minimise risk, keep tenants happy, and ensure your property complies with Victoria's ever-changing rental laws. Property management is more than collecting rent. Whether you own a Melbourne CBD apartment, a suburban fami

Property Management Should Do More Than Collect Rent For many Melbourne property investors, property management is often viewed as a necessity rather than a value-added service. Rent is collected, inspections are completed, and maintenance issues are addressed when they arise. However, as the rental market becomes more competitive and legislation continues to evolve, more landlords are asking an important question: "Is my property manager truly helping me maximise my investme

Tenant Not Paying Rent? Here's What Victorian Landlords Need to Know One of the biggest concerns for property investors is a tenant falling behind on rent payments. Whether it's a temporary financial issue or a tenant refusing to pay altogether, rental arrears can place significant pressure on a landlord's cash flow, mortgage repayments, and investment returns. So, what can landlords legally do when a tenant stops paying rent in Victoria? Rental arrears remain one of the most

Melbourne’s rental market remains one of Australia’s most competitive property markets. Some apartments receive multiple applications within days, while others remain vacant for weeks — even within the same suburb or building. So what makes the difference? The reality is that renters today are far more selective. Factors such as pricing, location, presentation, amenities, building quality, and even response speed from property managers can dramatically affect how quickly a pr

Many landlords ask the same question: “Do I really need a property manager, or can I just manage it myself and save money?” At first glance, self-managing seems like the cheaper option — no management fees, no commissions. But the real question isn’t about saving fees. A good property manager is not a cost — it’s a profit driver 👉 It’s about which option actually makes you more money in the long run. Let’s break it down properly. The Real Cost of Self-Managing a Property On

Managing a rental property can be time-consuming and legally complex. Many Melbourne landlords choose to work with a professional property manager to handle tenant selection, rent collection, inspections, and maintenance. But one of the most common questions investors ask is: “How much does property management cost in Melbourne?” In this 2026 guide, we explain the typical fees, what services are included, and how to evaluate whether a property manager offers good value. In Me

What Melbourne Landlords Must Know About the New 90-Day Rules Victoria’s rental laws continue to evolve under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 . From 25 November 2025 , major changes took effect — most notably the extension of several notice periods from 60 days to 90 days . For Melbourne landlords and property investors, these changes significantly impact: Rent increases Selling a tenanted property Owner-occupation notices Major renovation notices Leasing processes Failure

As part of Victoria’s plan to reduce emissions, improve liveability, and lower energy bills for renters, the state government has introduced a new suite of energy efficiency standards for rental properties. These changes are set to roll out progressively from 1 March 2027 , giving landlords time to prepare, upgrade, and stay compliant. This guide by CORE ELITE REAL ESTATE outlines what landlords need to know — including key dates, mandatory upgrades, exemptions, and financia