More than one renter on the agreement: rent, notices and changes

Last checked against official sources on 2 October 2026

Share houses and couples are common. When more than one person signs the agreement, a few things work differently. Here is what to know and what to keep on file for each renter.

Everyone on the agreement shares the responsibility

Consumer Affairs Victoria says that with co-renting, each co-renter signs the rental agreement and all co-renters are equally responsible for paying rent and taking care of the property. A renter can be held responsible for the actions of the other renters on the agreement. In practice this means a missed payment is a problem for the whole household, not just one person.

Keep each renter’s own details

• Full name, email and phone number for every renter, not just the main contact.
• Whether each one has agreed to receive documents by email, and when.
• Who has withdrawn consent, with the date and how they told you.
• Which renters should get day-to-day messages such as rent reminders and receipts.

It is easy to end up with only the first renter’s details. Then, when you need to serve a notice or chase a payment, you find the other renters were never contacted. Our guide on serving notices by email covers consent in more detail.

When one renter leaves

A departing renter should have their name removed from the rental agreement. Until that happens they remain liable for rent and damage with the others. It can’t be done on their own, because it needs the remaining renters and you to agree. If someone new takes their place, the new person’s name goes on the agreement.

When someone new moves in

Consumer Affairs Victoria says that when a co-renter moves out, the renters need the rental provider’s consent before someone else moves in. Where a new person joins, the bond needs to be transferred within 5 days, and a bond transfer doesn’t change or repay any amount of the bond. The exact steps are on the co-renting pages, so follow those, and ask for a lawyer’s help if anyone is in dispute.

Before you serve a notice

The official guidance doesn’t spell out which renters must receive a notice. The safe practice is to address the notice so it covers every renter on the agreement, and to serve each of them. If you plan to use email, have every renter’s consent first. If you aren’t sure, use hand delivery or registered post.

How VicPropGuard helps

VicPropGuard lists every renter on a tenancy with their own email, phone and consent status. Courtesy emails such as rent-due reminders and receipts go to every renter with an email address (unless they’ve opted out), and the notice screen only allows email service when every renter has consented. Request early access.

General information only, not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm the current requirements with Consumer Affairs Victoria or a lawyer before you act.