RentingOnRecord

All subjects

Rental application

33 established claims - 9 refused by the grounding gate

Documented position20

What the body that runs or defines the thing says in its own documentation.

Tenants Victoria states that a Victorian renter whose rent is $900 or less a week cannot be asked to pay a bond worth more than one month's rent.

other
1 quote from 1 source
If your rent is $900 or less a week, you cannot be asked to pay a bond worth more than one month’s rent.

Tenants Victoria states that it is against the law for a Victorian landlord or agent to ask a renter to pay more than one month’s rent in advance unless the rent for the property is more than $900 per week.

other
1 quote from 1 source
It is against the law for a landlord or agent to ask, encourage or invite you to pay more than one month’s rent in advance, unless the rent for the property is more than $900 per week

A rental provider or their agent can request no more than two identity documents from an applicant for a Victorian rental property.

other
1 quote from 1 source
A rental provider or their agent can request no more than two identity documents from this list:

Consumer Affairs Victoria states that a rental provider or their agent may request no more than two documents to confirm a Victorian rental applicant’s capacity to pay the rent.

other
1 quote from 1 source
A rental provider or their agent may request no more than two documents from the following list to confirm your capacity to pay the rent:

Consumer Affairs Victoria states that a rental provider or agent cannot ask a Victorian rental applicant whether the applicant has…

  • taken legal action.
  • had a dispute with a rental provider.
other
2 quotes from 1 source
The rental provider or agent cannot ask you for the following information as part of your application:
whether you have taken legal action or have had a dispute with a rental provider

A rental provider or agent cannot ask a Victorian rental applicant about their bond history.

other
2 quotes from 1 source
The rental provider or agent cannot ask you for the following information as part of your application:
your bond history, including whether a claim has been made on your bond

Consumer Affairs Victoria states that a Victorian rental property must only be advertised for rent at a fixed amount.

other
1 quote from 1 source
A rental property must only be advertised for rent at a fixed amount.

Consumer Affairs Victoria states that a Victorian rental provider or agent cannot charge a fee to show someone a property to rent.

other
1 quote from 1 source
A rental provider or agent cannot charge a fee to show someone a property to rent.

Consumer Affairs Victoria states that a holding deposit paid by a prospective Victorian renter must be refunded once both parties sign the rental agreement.

other
2 quotes from 1 source
A rental provider or agent may ask a potential renter for a ‘holding deposit’ before a rental agreement is signed.
The money must be refunded once both parties sign the agreement.

Consumer Affairs Victoria states that a Victorian rental provider or agent who uses tenancy databases must tell the applicant the names of the databases they will use.

other
1 quote from 1 source
If the rental provider or agent uses such databases, they need to tell you the names of the databases they will use.

Consumer Affairs Victoria states that a Victorian rental provider generally cannot refuse to rent out a property to someone because they have children aged 16 or under.

other
1 quote from 1 source
Generally, a rental provider or agent cannot refuse to rent out a property to someone because they have children aged 16 or under.

Tenants Victoria states that a Victorian rental applicant cannot be charged a fee for making a rental application by a landlord, an agent, or any other third-party business.

other
1 quote from 1 source
You cannot be charged a fee by a landlord or an agent, or any other third-party business, for making a rental application.

Tenants Victoria states that a Victorian landlord or their agent is not allowed to ask a rental applicant whether they have any pets or propose to get a pet.

other
2 quotes from 1 source
There are some things a landlord or their agent is not allowed to ask you when you apply for a rental property. These are:
Whether you have any pets or propose to get a pet

Tenants Victoria states that asking a Victorian rental applicant for information not included in the standard application form is an offence under section 30C.

other
1 quote from 1 source
When you apply for a rental property, a landlord or their agent cannot ask for any information that is not included in the standard application form. Asking for extra information is an offence under rental laws [section 30C].

Tenants Victoria states that a Victorian landlord or agent must protect a rental applicant’s personal information from being misused, lost or disclosed under section 505BB.

other
1 quote from 1 source
The landlord or agent must also protect your personal information from being misused, lost or disclosed [section 505BB]. They cannot give it to anyone who is not authorised to use it. It is an offence to disclose your information without your consent.

Tenants Victoria states that a Victorian landlord or agent can only use a rental applicant's personal information for another legitimate reason under section 30B.

other
1 quote from 1 source
The landlord or agent can only use your personal information to decide if you are suitable for the property, or for another legitimate reason, such as complying with a court order. For example, they cannot sell your contact details or use your contact details to send you promotional material [section 30B].

Tenants Victoria states that it is an offence under section 30F for a Victorian landlord or agent to hold rental auctions or to invite renters to make bids.

other
1 quote from 1 source
It is against the law and an offence for a landlord or agent to hold rental auctions or to encourage or invite renters to make bids (offers to pay more rent than the advertised amount) [section 30F].

Tenants Victoria states that a Victorian landlord or agent cannot charge any fees for doing a credit check on a rental applicant.

other
1 quote from 1 source
Landlords and agents cannot charge any fees for doing a credit check.

Tenants Victoria recommends that a Victorian renter keep a copy of the rental property advertisement including the rent amount when they apply.

medium confidenceother
1 quote from 1 source
We recommend you keep a copy of the rental property advertisement, including the rent amount, when you apply. This can be useful if the landlord or agent breaches this rule, or if the advertisement is republished to try to get around these rules.

Practical effect1

What is observed to happen in practice, as distinct from what is documented.

For a rental application, credit reporting laws generally prevent credit reporting bodies from giving a consumer credit report directly to Victorian landlords or agents.

medium confidenceother
1 quote from 1 source
Landlords or agents may want to check your credit history. Credit reporting laws generally prevent credit reporting bodies from giving your consumer credit report directly to landlords or agents. However, landlords or agents may still check publicly available records.

Changed on4

A dated change. This is where advice quietly stops being true.

From 31 March 2026, Victorian rental providers and their agents must use the prescribed form for rental applications.

other
1 quote from 1 source
From 31 March 2026, rental providers and their agents must use the prescribed form for rental applications.

From 31 March 2026, all rental applications for private rental properties in Victoria must be made using a Consumer Affairs Victoria form.

other
1 quote from 1 source
From 31 March 2026, all rental applications for private rental properties must be made using the Consumer Affairs Victoria

From 29 March 2021, any application form for a rental property in Victoria must include a statement about unlawful discrimination under section 29C.

other
1 quote from 1 source
From 29 March 2021, any application form for a rental property must include a statement about unlawful discrimination, including examples of the protected personal characteristics [section 29C].

The Victorian offence of holding rental auctions or inviting rental bids applies to properties for rent from 29 March 2021.

other
1 quote from 1 source
It is against the law and an offence for a landlord or agent to hold rental auctions or to encourage or invite renters to make bids (offers to pay more rent than the advertised amount) [section 30F]. This offence applies to properties for rent from 29 March 2021.

Disputed between sources2

Sources that do not agree, presented without picking a winner.

  • Consumer Affairs Victoria caps identity documents for a Victorian rental application at two.
  • Urban Renters tells applicants agents will ask for identification adding up to around 100 points.
other
2 quotes from 2 sources
A rental provider or their agent can request no more than two identity documents from this list:
Before submitting your rental application, most property management agents will ask you to provide identification that adds up to around 100 points.

Repeated, with no primary source in reach6

Widely repeated in the field. Within the documents this sweep read, it traces only to other repetitions - which is a fact about our reading as well as about the idea, until each one has been searched for on its own.

Urban Renters asserts that most property management agents will ask a rental applicant to provide identification that adds up to around 100 points.

other
1 quote from 1 source
Before submitting your rental application, most property management agents will ask you to provide identification that adds up to around 100 points.

Urban Renters advises rental applicants to have a short pet resume ready before the inspection if they are a pet owner.

other
1 quote from 1 source
Have your documents ready before the inspection. This includes identification, proof of income (such as recent pay slips), references, and any pet information, pet references, or a short pet resume if you’re a pet owner looking for pet-friendly rentals.

Urban Renters asserts that a cover letter gives a rental applicant the chance to introduce themselves beyond the standard completed application form.

other
1 quote from 1 source
Your well-written cover letter gives you the chance to introduce yourself beyond the standard completed application form.

Urban Renters advises rental applicants to…

  • treat a property inspection like a relaxed job interview.
  • dress neatly in smart casual clothing.
other
1 quote from 1 source
Treat the inspection like a relaxed job interview for your future home. Dress neatly in smart casual clothing to make a positive first impression.

Urban Renters asserts that agents tend to prioritise complete rental applications submitted first, especially in areas with low vacancy rates.

other
1 quote from 1 source
Agents tend to prioritise complete applications submitted first, especially in areas with low vacancy rates.

Refused9

Claims the research produced that the grounding gate would not accept, with its reason. They are here because a site that only shows what passed gives you no way to judge whether the gate does anything.

Show what was refused

From 31 March 2026, a third-party business that owns or runs a rental application platform in Victoria must not charge a renter a fee for applying for a rental property.

Refused: The quotes state a ban on fees by 'these third-party businesses' but do not specify rental application platforms or Victoria.

Unsupported: rental application platform in Victoria

What it rested on
From 31 March 2026, any person who owns or runs one of these third-party businesses must not charge you a fee for:
Applying for a rental property

Tenants Victoria states that a Victorian landlord or agent is not allowed to ask a rental applicant about pets.

Refused: The Tenants Victoria quote only introduces prohibited questions without listing pets, and the pet-question quote is from a different source without a not-allowed statement.

Unsupported: Tenants Victoria states that a Victorian landlord or agent is not allowed to ask a rental applicant about pets

What it rested on
There are some things a landlord or their agent is not allowed to ask you when you apply for a rental property. These are:
Whether you have any pets or propose to get a pet
Have your documents ready before the inspection. This includes identification, proof of income (such as recent pay slips), references, and any pet information, pet references, or a short pet resume if you’re a pet owner looking for pet-friendly rentals.

Urban Renters advises applicants to prepare a pet resume for their application.

Refused: The pet resume advice appears in a Tenants Victoria quote, not in the cited Urban Renters quote, so attributing it to Urban Renters overreaches.

Unsupported: Urban Renters advises applicants to prepare a pet resume

What it rested on
There are some things a landlord or their agent is not allowed to ask you when you apply for a rental property. These are:
Whether you have any pets or propose to get a pet
Have your documents ready before the inspection. This includes identification, proof of income (such as recent pay slips), references, and any pet information, pet references, or a short pet resume if you’re a pet owner looking for pet-friendly rentals.

Consumer Affairs Victoria states that if a rental agreement is not signed within 14 days, a holding deposit must be refunded by the next business day.

Refused: The quote says 'the money' must be refunded but does not establish that it is a holding deposit.

Unsupported: a holding deposit

What it rested on
If they don’t sign an agreement within 14 days, the money must be refunded by the next business day.

Consumer Affairs Victoria names section 30AC of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 as requiring an application to enter a residential rental agreement to be in the prescribed form.

Refused: The quote states 'Section 30AC' and its heading but does not name the Residential Tenancies Act 1997.

Unsupported: of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

What it rested on
Section 30AC – Application to enter residential rental agreement to be in the prescribed form.

Consumer Affairs Victoria names section 30BA of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997.

Refused: The quote names Section 30BA but does not state it is from the Residential Tenancies Act 1997.

Unsupported: of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

What it rested on
Section 30BA - Residential rental provider may request prescribed information from applicants.

Consumer Affairs Victoria names section 30BA of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 as allowing a residential rental provider to request prescribed information from applicants.

Refused: The quote states 'Section 30BA' and the rental provider's ability to request prescribed information, but it does not identify that section as being from the Residential Tenancies Act 1997.

Unsupported: of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997

What it rested on
Section 30BA - Residential rental provider may request prescribed information from applicants.

Tenants Victoria states that a Victorian landlord or agent can only use a rental applicant's personal information to decide if they are suitable for the property.

Refused: The quote permits use for suitability or another legitimate reason, so the claim that it can only be used to decide suitability overstates the source.

Unsupported: can only use a rental applicant's personal information to decide if they are suitable for the property

What it rested on
The landlord or agent can only use your personal information to decide if you are suitable for the property, or for another legitimate reason, such as complying with a court order. For example, they cannot sell your contact details or use your contact details to send you promotional material [section 30B].

The rental property advertisement may be republished to try to get around the fixed-price rule.

Refused: The quote says ads may be republished to get around 'these rules' but does not name or describe a fixed-price rule.

Unsupported: fixed-price rule

What it rested on
We recommend you keep a copy of the rental property advertisement, including the rent amount, when you apply. This can be useful if the landlord or agent breaches this rule, or if the advertisement is republished to try to get around these rules.