DIY property management in Victoria means managing your rental property yourself, without a licensed property manager. It is legal, increasingly common, and with the right software, entirely manageable for landlords with 1-5 properties. The annual saving on a $550/week rental is approximately $2,500 in management fees alone.
How to Self-Manage a Rental Property in Victoria — Step by Step
Step 1: Find a tenant. Advertise on realestate.com.au and domain.com.au. Conduct tenant screening including rental history, employment verification and reference checks.
Step 2: Prepare the lease. Use the Consumer Affairs Victoria standard residential tenancy agreement. Ensure all minimum standards are met before the tenant moves in.
Step 3: Lodge the bond. Lodge the bond with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) within 10 business days of receipt. Bond is capped at one month’s rent for properties under $900/week.
Step 4: Conduct the entry inspection. Complete a detailed entry condition report with photographs. Both parties sign. This is the legal baseline for any end-of-tenancy bond dispute.
Step 5: Collect rent. Set up automated rent collection via direct debit. Issue receipts. Track payments and arrears.
Step 6: Manage maintenance. Respond to urgent repairs within 24 hours (legal requirement in Victoria). Log all maintenance requests and contractor responses.
Step 7: Conduct routine inspections. Up to four per year after the first three months. Give at least 24 hours written notice.
How Much Does DIY Property Management Save in Victoria?
| Weekly Rent | PM Fee (8% + GST) | Annual PM Cost | Annual DIY Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| $400/wk | $35.20/wk | $1,830/yr | $1,830/yr |
| $500/wk | $44.00/wk | $2,288/yr | $2,288/yr |
| $600/wk | $52.80/wk | $2,746/yr | $2,746/yr |
| $800/wk | $70.40/wk | $3,661/yr | $3,661/yr |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DIY property management legal in Victoria?
Yes. Victorian landlords can legally manage their own rental properties without a licensed property manager.
What software do I need for DIY property management in Victoria?
The Collings Landlord Platform provides all the tools you need — rent collection, inspections, compliance tracking and GeeVee AI market data — all free at collings.com.au/portal.
The Collings Property Platform gives Victorian landlords everything they need to self-manage professionally. Join free today. collings.com.au/portal
Manage your own rental, the smart way
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