Can I remove Landlord contact details from a lease in VIC?

Overview

We are sometimes asked by agencies whether landlord contact details can be removed from leases, or whether they can be replaced with ‘Care of [Agency Name]’. This article explains the legal requirements under Victorian tenancy law and what is permissible when preparing a Residential Rental Agreement.

Legislative Requirements

Under section 26 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (VIC):

• A landlord must include their full name; and

• They must provide either:

  • a telephone number, or

  • other contact details (for example, an email address).

If the landlord has appointed an agent:

• The landlord does not need to provide their business or residential address; and

• The agent’s business address can be listed instead.

What can be omitted or replaced

• The landlord must always be named.

• The landlord can choose to provide either a mobile number or an email address (not necessarily both).

• The landlord’s residential or business address can be replaced with the agent’s business address if an agent has been appointed.

What cannot be removed

• You cannot omit both the mobile number and the email address. At least one valid method of contact must be included, in addition to the landlord’s name.

Example – “Care of [Agency Name]”

It is permissible to:

• List the landlord’s (residential rental provider’s) name; and

• Use the agent’s business address in place of the landlord’s address;

• Provide either the landlord’s phone number or email address.

It is not permissible to replace the landlord’s name entirely with “Care of [Agency Name]”.

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