While renting a house in Victoria, there are several aspects you need to consider carefully. In this article, we will address one such issue, i.e., can you rent out a house without a stove in Victoria?
Tenants usually need to realise that the rental providers must provide a stove in their rental house. So, let us educate you about your basic minimum living standards in a rental property.
Minimum standards for renting a house in Victoria
When finding a suitable house in Victoria, you should remember that the rental provider must provide you with the minimum living standards. All the necessities should be available at the rental property, along with the perks of urgent repairs.
Before signing any rental agreements, you must visit the rental property and make a checklist of all the missing necessities. You can ask for the basics, like a stove with two or more burners, an oven, an existing fixed heater, and air conditioning. The rental minimum standards also include a reasonable hot and cold water supply, laundry facilities, adequate lighting, etc.
Sometimes you are in such a hurry to rent a house that you think about compromising minimum standards. You will suffer when cooking if you sign a tenancy agreement for a home that does not offer a stove with two or more burners.
Hence, you should never agree to let go of the basic rights that Victoria law allows you to have.
What to do when there is no stove on rental property
If you have the perfect house for rent in Victoria, but it does not provide a stove with two or more burners, you should not compromise on it. Before you sign the long-time rental agreement, you should discuss the issues with the rental provider. You can ask him to install the stove and get other urgent repairs done.
On the other hand, if you signed the rental agreement and still have not moved in, you have two options to consider:
- Terminate the agreement immediately and inform the rental provider that you are cancelling the agreement because the house does not meet the minimum standards.
- You can move into the house and request the rental provider for urgent repair.
What to do when the rental provider fails to provide the stove
If you make the request to the rental provider for urgent repairs and he does not respond or rejects it, you can get help from VCAT. Apply to the VCAT online and request a mandate meaning that the rental provider has to complete the repairs.
Once the VCAT orders, the rental provider must arrange the urgent repair. However, if the cost of installing a stove with two or more burners is less than $2500, the rental provider can pay it to the renter, and he can arrange the installation himself.
Common questions about renting in Victoria
What makes a rented property uninhabitable?
A rented property must meet the minimum standards for rental properties in Victoria. The minimum premises standards for rentals include electrical safety in the apartment building or house, energy-efficient fixed heater, keys to external entry doors, and much more. They are all important so that the renter can comfortably live there.
What are landlord voids?
When a renter fails to pay the overdue rent, it is known as landlord void. To avoid such a problem, the renter should be responsible enough to pay his rent by saving monthly money. If things cannot settle between both parties, the local council can help solve the issues under Consumer Affairs Victoria.
Can you rent a house without an oven?
Ideally, you should only rent a house with an oven. However, you can ask the rental provider to provide an oven.
What is unsuitable housing?
Unsuitable housing does not meet the minimum government requirements for habitable housing.
What must a house have to be habitable?
To start, by law, rental property in Victoria must be structurally sound, have locks, a functional, appropriately-placed toilet, vermin-proof bins, a kitchen with a functional stove and sink and a laundry room connected to a steady supply of hot and cold water to be habitable.
What are the new tenancy rules in Victoria?
Some of the new tenancy rules in Victoria effective after 29 march 2021 are:
- Renters can modify the homes
- Renters should be provided with a free way of rent payment
- Urgent repairs include the heater and air-conditioning issues
- Notice period before sales inspection is increased
How long can a rental property be empty?
A rental property can be empty for one or two months without any problem.
What makes a property unsuitable?
If a property has mould or dampness and is not weatherproof, it is unsuitable for renting.
What makes a property uninhabitable in Australia?
A rental property that does not meet the minimum living standards is uninhabitable. Therefore, one should carefully assess the property before renting it.
What makes a property uninhabitable in Victoria?
A property is uninhabitable in Victoria when it fails to meet minimum standards or is hazardous to human health.
Final words: can you rent out a house without a stove in Victoria?
If you are looking for reliable rent for common property in Victoria, you can check out Soho.com.au for recommendations. Alternatively, if you’re considering moving away from Victoria, we also have rental properties in Melbourne and long term hotel rentals in Melbourne.
Following the residential tenancies regulations is compulsory for a healthy renter and rental provider relationship. However, before signing long-term rental agreements, the renter should carefully assess the building structure and renting laws.
