Trusted guides from Consumer Affairs Victoria, plus useful comparisons to help you understand your options — whether you're renting, managing a property, or considering shared living.
The essential Victorian renting handbook — from applying and signing your lease through to resolving disputes, ending your tenancy, and recovering your bond.
Read the guideHow to request permission to keep a pet, what landlords can and cannot require, and your rights if a pet request is unreasonably refused.
Read the guideThe difference between urgent and non-urgent repairs, minimum standards inspections, and how to escalate if your landlord or agent fails to act.
Read the guideHow much notice you must receive, how often increases can occur, and how to apply to VCAT if you believe an increase is excessive.
Read the guideNotice periods, your rights when a property is sold, and the process for claiming your rental bond back through RTBA.
Read the guideThe official Victorian government body holding rental bonds. Lodge, manage, or claim your bond securely online — required for both tenants and landlords.
Visit RTBAMoving into a new rental? Use T2O's dedicated utilities connection portal to compare providers and arrange all your essential services in one place — quickly and at no cost to you.
Connect nowGeneral Residential rent typically excludes utilities — tenants set up gas, electricity, water, and internet in their own name, paying providers directly.
Co-living & Rooming houses commonly include utilities and internet in the weekly rent, so residents have one all-inclusive payment. Always confirm with your operator before signing.
Compliance obligations for licensed Victorian estate agents — trust accounting, condition reports, routine inspections, and residential tenancy law requirements.
Read the guideLicensing requirements, resident rights, minimum standards, register obligations, inspections, and eviction rules specific to rooming house legislation.
Read the guideWhat every Victorian rental must provide before it can be advertised — covering locks, heating, bathrooms, kitchens, laundry, window coverings, and more.
Read the guideThe Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal — the official dispute resolution body for tenancy matters that can't be resolved through CAV or the managing agent.
Visit VCATUnderstanding which arrangement you're entering determines your legal rights, bond obligations, and what's included in your rent.
| Feature | Co-Living Property | Rooming House |
|---|---|---|
| Property Type | Typically a 3-bedroom house rented to 3 separate individuals — each occupying one room, sharing the kitchen and bathroom. | A property with 4 or more bedrooms, housing 4 or more individual tenancies under one roof. |
| Legal Definition | Not legislated — No specific definition under Victorian law. Governed as a standard residential tenancy under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997. | Legislated — Formally defined and regulated under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic) with its own rules and obligations. |
| Operator Licence | Not required — Managed as a standard residential rental. No separate CAV licence needed. | Required — Operator must hold a rooming house operator licence from Consumer Affairs Victoria and appear on the public register. |
| Bathroom / Ensuite | Bathroom is typically shared between housemates — common in a standard 3-bed house layout. | Bathrooms are mostly ensuite or private to each room — a key distinction from co-living in a rooming house context. |
| Furnished? | Varies — Available either furnished or unfurnished; this is negotiated between the tenant and the landlord. | Rooms are typically furnished — bed, storage, and basic furnishings are usually included as standard. |
| Tenancy Agreement | Standard residential tenancy agreement — either fixed-term or periodic, with the full protections of the RTA. | A rooming house agreement under the RTA — different notice periods, bond rules, and resident rights apply. |
| Bond | Up to 4 weeks' rent — standard residential bond lodged with RTBA. | Maximum 2 week's rent — lower bond cap specific to rooming house legislation. Must be lodged with RTBA. |
| Minimum Room Size | No mandated minimum — subject only to general rental minimum standards. | Yes — Minimum 7.5m² for a single occupant; 12m² for two under rooming house regulations. |
| Notice to Vacate | Standard residential notice periods apply (typically 14–28 days depending on the reason). | Shorter minimum notice periods apply under rooming house rules (e.g. 7 days for certain breaches). |
| CAV Inspections | Not specific to CAV — Standard property inspection rights through the managing agent apply. | Yes — CAV officers have the right to inspect rooming houses for compliance with minimum standards. |
| Target Resident | Young professionals, couples, or students wanting a home-style share arrangement with the flexibility of furnished or unfurnished. | Budget-conscious individuals seeking affordable, flexible accommodation with all costs included — often students or people in transition. |
| Good for Investors? | Growing demand; fewer regulatory barriers. Relies on quality fitout and good housemate matching to maintain low vacancy. | Higher yield per property due to more tenancies, but requires licensing, compliance overhead, and active management. |
T2O Invested Futures is a private shared equity scheme designed for renters who can service a mortgage but haven't yet built a full deposit. Find out how the 80/20 model works for you.