Property Management

Rental Property Management Melbourne — Services, Fees & What to Expect (2026)

By Joey Don· Co-Founder & CEOPublished · Updated

Rent and yield examples are illustrative — not projections

Examples showing rent increases, yield improvements, payback periods, or "before / after" outcomes from granny flats, rooming house conversions, or renovations are based on past OptimaRea projects at specific properties under specific market conditions. They are not a projection of what your property will achieve. Actual outcomes depend on property location, land size, zoning, planning overlays, lender valuation, build costs, finance, interest rates, market rent, vacancy, tenant quality, holding costs, and tax — none of which are guaranteed. Property management is not a financial product and past project outcomes are not a reliable indicator of future results.

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Property Management Fee Structure

Our transparent fee structure is based on the complexity of your tenancy arrangement:

Ongoing Management Fees (percentage of monthly rent collected):

  • Single occupancy (one tenant): 4.90% + GST
  • Dual occupancy (house + granny flat): 6.90% + GST
  • Multi-tenancy (3+ leases / rooming house): 8.90% + GST

Letting Fee (one-time, when a new tenant is placed):

  • Without renovation supervision: 1 week's rent
  • With renovation supervision: 2 weeks' rent

Marketing Costs:

  • REA Premier listing: $217–$280 + GST (varies by location)
  • "Leased" board sign: $163 + GST

Legal/Tribunal Fees (if needed):

  • VCAT debt recovery application: $170 + GST
  • VCAT eviction application: $250 + GST
  • Warrant of Possession: $150 + GST
  • Tribunal attendance: $200 + GST

All fees are clearly outlined before engagement — no hidden charges.

Our 1:50 Management Ratio — Why It Matters

The industry standard in Melbourne is 1 property manager handling 170+ properties. At that ratio, response times are slow, maintenance gets delayed, and landlords feel ignored.

Our ratio: 1 manager to maximum 50 properties.

Behind each manager sits a 30-person support team split into four specialised departments:

  • Reno Team: Pre-tenancy property preparation, ensuring compliance with Victorian Minimum Rental Standards
  • Renting Team: Full-time leasing specialists handling advertising, inspections, applications, and background checks
  • Ongoing Team: Post-tenancy operations — rent collection, maintenance coordination, routine inspections, VCAT preparation, lease renewals
  • Local Team: On-the-ground Melbourne team for physical inspections, key handovers, and tribunal attendance

This structure means faster response times, fewer errors, and higher tenant quality — which directly translates to fewer vacancies and higher returns for landlords.

Tenant Screening — Our 4-Point System

We use a strict 4-point screening system to ensure quality tenants:

  1. Financial check: Rent must be 20–30% maximum of tenant's gross income. No primary Centrelink income accepted.
  2. Credit check: TICA and Equifax blacklist scan for previous rental defaults, VCAT tribunal orders, or outstanding debts
  3. Reference check: Previous landlord reference (rental history, payment reliability, property condition at exit) + employer reference (employment stability, income verification)
  4. Visa verification: For non-citizen applicants, visa must be valid for the entire lease term

Standard lease terms: 12 months initial, with rent review 2–3 months before expiry.

Pet policy (Victorian law): We cannot refuse pets without a documented reason. Tenants with pets are required to cover professional steam cleaning at exit and any damage beyond normal wear and tear.

Recruitment timeline: New properties typically receive applications within 3–12 days of listing. We begin advertising 5 days before the property is ready for occupancy.

Talk to Our Property Management Team

Every property is different. Contact us to discuss how our management, leasing, and renovation services work for your situation. This is a general information conversation — not personal financial, tax, or legal advice.

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Melbourne's specialist property management for dual-occupancy and multi-tenancy properties. 1:50 manager ratio, 30-person team, Tapi AI 24/7 maintenance.

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Important Information

OptimaRea Pty Ltd is a licensed Victorian estate agent providing property management, leasing, and renovation services. We are not a licensed financial adviser, tax agent, credit provider, or lawyer. Information on this website — including rent uplift examples, yield figures, build cost estimates, and compliance summaries — is general in nature only and does not take into account your personal circumstances. Figures are illustrative examples from past projects and are not a projection of what any particular property will achieve. Obtain independent professional advice before acting.

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