How Much 60 Days Notice To Vacate For Repairs

Renovating a property you lot have rented out raises unique challenges. We chatted to Consumer Affairs Victoria to get some tips and resources to aid you programme a successful, problem free renovation.

If you're renovating equally a landlord, your number 1 priority needs to be understanding your tenant's rights. The first place to start is defining what a 'renovation' actually consists of.

Repairs versus renovations

Repairs are more often than not carried out to maintain the belongings in a liveable land; renovations are generally carried out to improve the property.

Equally a landlord, rental property repairs are usually your responsibility, unless the tenant or their visitor has acquired harm. You must respond to a tenant's requests for urgent repairs immediately. Even for non-urgent repairs, yous must respond to repair requests inside xiv days of beingness notified.

Because renovations are unremarkably more involved, and take longer, they are likely to have greater bear on on the tenant. The tenant may need to discover alternative accommodation while you carry out the work.

Giving your tenant notice

You must give at least lx days notice if you lot want your tenant to vacate for repairs or renovations.

Consumer Affairs Victoria recommends that yous always use the proper paperwork when giving notice.

Use the Notice to vacate to tenant/s of rented premises (and see notation 255 [one]).

If your tenant is on a fixed-term lease, you must not give notice requiring them to leave before the stop date of the charter.

Temporary accommodation for tenants

If you require your tenant to move out temporarily so you can carry out repairs or renovations, they can stop paying rent from the date they vacate.

If your tenant does move out temporarily, they are responsible for paying for their replacement adaptation and related expenses, such as meals, transport and pet accommodation.

Although you are not obliged to help your tenant find or pay for culling accommodation, information technology is recommended yous try to negotiate suitable arrangements with them. Make certain any temporary arrangements are in writing.

If yous cannot attain an understanding, either y'all or the tenant tin apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Claims Tribunal (VCAT) for a determination or to seek compensation.

If the tenant can no longer live in, or can simply partially live in the property, they may end the lease early. In such cases, the tenant tin can stop paying rent from the solar day they vacate.

Undoing renovations by a tenant

If your tenant has installed fixtures or fittings, renovated, altered or added to the rented premises (with or without your written consent) they must, before they get out, restore the premises to the condition they were in immediately before they moved in.

Alternatively, they tin can pay you a 'reasonable amount' to restore the premises to their previous condition. Of course, they exercise not accept to restore the premises to its original condition, or pay for the restoration, if you both agree that the alterations can remain. It is in both your interests to get this understanding in writing.

Projects costing $5000 or less

Y'all don't need to utilise a 'major domestic edifice contract' unless the total cost of the projection is more than than $5000. However, even for pocket-sized projects you should:

use a written contract, which conspicuously specifies the work to exist done and the full toll for all work. If any details change, become that in writing also
compare three or more quotes, using the same detailed description of the job
bank check each tradesperson'south registration or licensing, reputation and references
check if you need actress home and contents insurance to embrace the renovations. Ask your insurance provider earlier piece of work starts.

Projects costing more $5000

The architect must use a major domestic building contract if the full project cost is more than than $5000 – fifty-fifty if the contract is split into several smaller amounts, such as for unlike stages. Check that they are registered to perform the type of work you lot will be hiring them to practise by visiting the Australian Edifice Committee.

If the cost is over $12,000, they must likewise provide a electric current document of domestic building insurance for the project. You must receive it before they take a deposit or embark work.

If yous are undertaking major renovations, Consumer Affairs Victoria recommends that before you sign your building contract, you get a building lawyer to check information technology – even though it ways you lose your usual 5-day cooling-off rights.

Yous volition demand a edifice permit if y'all are making whatsoever structural changes to your building, regardless of the projection's toll. Check with the building surveyor to establish whether y'all need a building permit. You lot must also utilise an appropriately qualified and registered practitioner.

Check whether yous demand extra home and contents insurance to embrace the renovations. Ask your insurance provider before work starts.

Cheque whether you lot need extra home and contents insurance to cover the renovations.

Remember to check with your land or territory Consumer Affairs torso, every bit some rules differ around the country.