Accommodation in Melbourne

Accommodation in Melbourne varies in size and quality, with something to suit every taste and budget. Competition for accommodation is fierce and the market moves at a rapid pace, so you'll need to act quickly if you find something you like.

Most expats moving to the metropolis opt to rent accommodation – a practical decision due to the high costs attached to buying property in Australia. 

Though rental prices vary greatly, you can inevitably expect a hefty price tag on high-rise apartments in the city centre or properties in sought-after beachside suburbs. Other areas further outside the city centre with lower demand should have more budget-friendly options.

Areas and suburbs in Melbourne

Before choosing accommodation, you'll need to select a suburb to live in. There are plenty of appealing areas in Melbourne. Consider logical aspects first and foremost, including proximity to Melbourne’s city centre, public transportation options and the accessibility of services and amenities.

City-centre areas like Docklands and Port Melbourne have expensive and highly sought-after accommodation, mostly in the form of apartments. If you can afford it, living here will give you easy access to the best of Melbourne's amenities, including top-notch shopping, restaurants and public transport links. Seaside suburbs like Black Rock and Williamstown have a less frenetic energy than inner-city areas, but are just as pricey.

Some cheaper options can be found in outlying suburbs such as Hawthorn, which has a lovely community of its own. Homes here are still good quality but are friendlier on the budget.

For more recommended neighbourhoods, see Areas and Suburbs in Melbourne.

Types of accommodation in Melbourne

Many expats who move to Melbourne live in apartments (also called ‘flats’), since these are the most common rentals. Upmarket flats in the city centre tend to be more expensive than flats in outlying areas.

Houses are more suitable for families, but these tend to be located in the suburbs. Rental houses in Melbourne are often built in an older style and are less equipped for extreme temperatures. More modern accommodation may have air-conditioning units.

Finding accommodation in Melbourne

There are a number of ways to search for accommodation in Melbourne. Real estate agents manage most properties, and there are many advantages to working directly with them. For example, they have good knowledge of the city and often have access to properties before they are publicly advertised.

For those who decide to go it alone, real estate websites and online property portals are a good place to start. Word of mouth and connecting with other expats, both online and offline, can also be a good way to find leads that are off the beaten track.

Bear in mind that rental advertisements usually list a weekly rather than monthly price, so be sure to double-check the period that the cost of rent is quoted for before celebrating a good deal.

Useful links

• RealEstate.com.au
• Rent.com.au
• Flatmates.com.au

Renting accommodation in Melbourne

Making an application

To rent accommodation, applicants will need to provide references as well as numerous documents proving their identity. This is done according to a national standard known as the 100-point check, where various types of ID documents are each assigned a particular amount of points based on importance. Applicants must submit documents with a total value of at least 100 points to be considered.

Leases and deposits

Leases for rental properties in Melbourne are normally for one year and require a month’s rent as a deposit. The deposit is refundable and should be returned in full at the end of the tenancy, provided no damage was done to the property. Otherwise, repair costs will be taken out of the deposit before the balance is refunded.

Paying rent

Rent for accommodation in Melbourne is typically payable at the end of each month, or in some cases fortnightly, either to the estate agent or the landlord.

Useful links

• Victoria government – Renting in Victoria
• 100-point checklist

Utilities in Melbourne

Utility bills are usually not included in the rental price and are the responsibility of the tenant. When searching for accommodation, you should be sure to consider the added cost of utilities in Melbourne.

Utilities that you may need to pay for include:

• Electricity
• Gas
• Water
• Internet
• Telephone

Australian housing, including that in Victoria, is generally quite energy inefficient, and bills for electricity, gas and water can accumulate quickly. It's therefore important to budget carefully and manage your energy usage as best you can.

Read on to find out more about the various utilities providers available in Melbourne and how to go about getting set up for the services you'll require.

Electricity, gas and water

Electricity and gas charges may either be paid directly to the company supplying the service or to the property manager. If you pay directly, the service will be in your name, while if you pay through the property manager, the service will stay in their name. Note that the property manager cannot ask that you pay more than the service provider has charged them for your usage.

Distributors are the companies that own, manage and maintain the physical equipment needed to distribute electricity, gas and water. Victoria is divided up into sections, with certain areas being serviced by particular distributors. There are five electricity distributors and three gas distributors in Victoria. Melbourne is served by three water distributors.

While your home's location determines your distributors, you can still choose your own service provider. The Victorian government has a comparison website where you can see whether you're getting the best deal on your electricity. If you find a better deal, it may be possible to switch providers.

It's worth noting that in the scorching summer months, houses with air conditioning will usually experience a spike in electricity costs.

Internet

The internet may not be automatically connected when you move into a new place. In this case, you must either contact a service provider to put in a connection line, or – if there is already a connection line – have the service connected. If you wish to have a new line put in, you'll need permission from the property owner.

Popular ISPs in Melbourne include Aussie Broadband, Superloop and NBN.

Useful links

• Victorian Energy Compare
• Find Your Energy Distributor
• Victoria Water Corporations