Rental providers and their agents have the right to enter an investment property, however there are strict rules about the reasons and timing of entry. There are also rules about what they can and can’t do when they are on the property.

Entering the property means coming onto the property as a whole. This can include the garden or outside of the property, not just the inside. Renters are obliged to allow entry to rental providers and agents if they are legally allowed and have given proper notice to the renter.

The Consumer Affairs Victoria website confirms the following information as detailed in the Residential Tenancies Act:

Reasons where a rental provider can enter a premises include:

General (or routine) inspection

Inspecting the property to make sure it’s in good condition.

Repairs or other legal responsibilities

Making repairs or doing something else the law says the rental provider must do.

Showing the property to renters, buyers or lenders

Showing the property to people who might want to rent or buy it in the future or to people who might lend the owner money based on the property’s value.

Having the property valued

Showing the property to a professional valuer or real estate agent.

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Taking photos or videos

Taking photos or making videos to advertise the property.

Renter has not met their obligations

Having reasonable grounds to believe the renter has broken their legal obligations under the Residential Tenancies Act or their rental agreement. For example, the renter has damaged the property.

Family violence proceedings in VCAT

Inspecting the property for VCAT proceedings if a renter has applied to end or change the rental agreement because of family violence.

There are rules about how much notice a renter must be given for each of the above mentioned reasons. They are:

The notice must be in writing and state the reason for entry. 

Delivery of the notice must also be taken into account when serving it upon a renter so it is important to allow enough time for mail to be delivered if the notice is being posted. The rental provider or their agent can only enter the property between 8am and 6pm on any day except a public holiday. Entry outside these times is only possible if the renter agrees. This agreement must be made no more than 7 days before the rental provider wants to enter the property.

Contact the friendly Property Management team at First National Neilson Partners if you have any questions or concerns about your rental provider, renter or managing agent and rights and responsilities surrounding the reasons and timing of entry to a rental premesis.