In Victoria, a landlord cannot simply ‘kick you out’. They must follow a specific legal process to regain possession of a rental property, even if they intend to sell it. This process is governed by the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 and is overseen by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
As of December 2025, if a landlord wishes to sell a property currently tenanted, they must provide the tenant with a 60-day Notice to Vacate. This notice period allows tenants time to find alternative accommodation. Currently in Melbourne, particularly in the Eastern Suburbs like Balwyn and Doncaster, strong rental demand means finding a new property is generally achievable within this timeframe, though competition can be high. A landlord can only issue this notice if they have a genuine intention to sell, and must demonstrate this if challenged at VCAT. It’s important to realise that the sale itself doesn’t automatically end the tenancy; the notice period must be correctly served. Preparing a property for sale in 2026 often involves presentation upgrades – styling can range from $2,000 to $8,000, and a fresh coat of paint per room typically costs $400-$800. These costs are borne by the landlord, not the tenant. Fletchers’ experience shows that well-presented properties generally attract higher offers in the current market, where the median dwelling value is around $823,495.
Ultimately, a landlord must adhere to the legal framework to terminate a tenancy, even when planning a property sale.