Partner With Us
If you are a title holder or property owner of a 4 or more bedroom home who is seeking a refined and reliable rental solution, we invite you to consider partnering with our professionally operated coliving, medium-term rental model.
Our approach is designed to maximise the performance of quality homes while preserving their presentation and long-term value. Through structured resident management, careful occupant selection, and attentive oversight, we provide a seamless experience that prioritises consistency, care, and strong rental outcomes.
By collaborating with us through your appointed agent, you gain the advantage of improved rental stability, reduced vacancy risk, and the reassurance that your property is being managed with professionalism and respect. Our medium-term model attracts high-calibre residents who value well-maintained, thoughtfully presented homes — creating an environment that supports both financial return and asset protection.
What You Gain
Maximise your investment with a 100% Victorian land tax exemption for eligible homeowners, significantly reducing ongoing holding costs.
Our structured cleaning and inspections protect your property, garden and pool, while our active waiting list keeps larger homes reliably occupied.
Working with a company provides more stability and continuity than individual tenants. Our team’s decades of expertise ensure seamless management and reduced risk.
Coliving isn’t just beneficial for tenants — it’s also great for the environment. Sharing resources and optimising space reduces waste and energy consumption, making a positive impact on sustainability.
Melcasa is proud to sit at the intersection of housing, community, and sustainability. We work alongside property owners, agencies, and government partners to create solutions that are not only viable, but meaningful — supporting stronger communities and a more inclusive future for Melbourne.
Melcasa is designed to gently change that. Our homes foster connection, bringing together like-minded individuals who value community, respect, and shared living. It’s about creating environments where people can feel a sense of belonging, not just a place to stay.
We are a social enterprise committed to helping ease Melbourne’s housing challenges by reimagining the spaces that already exist. By partnering with property owners, agencies, and community stakeholders, we bring underutilised homes back to life — transforming them into warm, secure, and thoughtfully managed coliving spaces for people from all walks of life.
Yes. Properties operated by Melcasa are structured to meet the SRO requirements for Victoria’s full rooming-house land tax exemption.
This includes council registration, qualifying room tariffs, long-term residency, controlled occupancy and detailed record keeping.
Melcasa provides the owner with the supporting documentation required to submit their application through the SRO’s My Land Tax online portal.
The owner selects the relevant property and tax year, applies for the rooming-house exemption and uploads the documents provided by Melcasa to get the 100% land tax exemption.
Learn more about the rooming house land tax exemption — State Revenue Office Victoria
Melcasa applies as a corporate renter under a standard residential rental agreement, with additional terms permitting approved rooming house operation. The existing agent continues managing the property, and rent is paid through the managing agency.
Unlike an individual household, Melcasa takes responsibility for resident selection, room occupancy, utilities, housekeeping, day-to-day operations and regulatory compliance. The agreed property rent remains payable by Melcasa regardless of individual room vacancies or resident payment issues.
No. Your existing residential real estate agent can continue managing the property.
Melcasa enters into a standard residential rental agreement as the corporate renter, with additional terms permitting the approved Class 1b rooming house operation. Rent continues to be paid through the managing agency, so neither a commercial agent nor a commercial lease is required.
For suitable homes, the conversion generally involves discreet safety upgrades rather than major construction.
Before approaching an owner or agent, Melcasa obtains preliminary advice from a registered building surveyor to confirm the property’s suitability. Typical additions include interconnected hardwired smoke alarms, smoke-alarm-activated evacuation lighting, compliant bedroom locks and evacuation diagrams.
All required work is completed carefully by appropriately qualified professionals in accordance with the relevant standards. At the end of the lease, Melcasa will coordinate the process required to return the property to its original Class 1a residential classification.
There is no automatic reduction in a property’s value simply because it has been approved for Class 1b use. Its resale or lending valuation will continue to depend on factors such as its location, condition, layout, rental income and the preferences of the buyer or lender.
The conversion generally adds safety features without changing the home’s fundamental floorplan or character. While leased to Melcasa, the property may also appeal to investors seeking an established income-producing asset.
At the end of the lease, unless otherwise requested, Melcasa will coordinate the process required to return the property to its Class 1a residential classification, allowing it to be presented as a traditional family home.
Yes. Your managing real estate agent retains the right to conduct routine property inspections in accordance with Victorian rental laws and can provide you with inspection reports and photographs.
Melcasa looks after regular housekeeping of the common areas, as well as the ongoing upkeep of gardens, pools, spas and other outdoor areas. We are equally attentive to the home’s interior and complete regular internal compliance checks to identify maintenance needs early and keep the property beautifully presented.
No. Your rental income is not dependent on the outcome or timing of the application. Melcasa’s lease is unconditional, and the agreed rent remains payable from the lease commencement date.
Melcasa is highly selective about the properties it leases. Before presenting an offer, we complete extensive preliminary checks and obtain advice from a registered building surveyor to confirm that the property meets our requirements and is suitable for its intended Class 1b use. This careful selection process ensures we only proceed with properties that are well suited to approval.
Both Melcasa and the property owner maintain insurance appropriate to their respective responsibilities.
Melcasa’s coverage: Melcasa pays for its own Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance covering its rooming house operations, subject to the terms of those policies.
Owner’s coverage: The owner maintains building and landlord insurance that specifically permits the property’s use as a registered rooming house. It is important to notify the insurer of the approved use so the property remains correctly covered.
Insurance premiums relating to an income-producing rental property are generally tax-deductible to the extent permitted by the ATO. Owners should confirm their individual entitlement with their accountant or tax adviser.
Learn about claiming rental-property expenses — Australian Taxation Office
Your property is cared for to professional standards throughout Melcasa’s tenancy.
As a licensed corporate operator, the presentation and condition of every home are central to our business. We complete regular internal checks, maintain clear house rules and carefully select residents who respect the home and one another.
Melcasa also looks after regular housekeeping of common areas, routine maintenance, gardens, pools, spas and other outdoor spaces. This ongoing oversight allows us to identify maintenance needs early and keep the property clean, well presented and carefully maintained throughout the lease.
Melcasa manages and pays all shared utilities for the property, keeping the arrangement simple and predictable for the owner.
Maintaining positive relationships with neighbours is an important part of managing every Melcasa home.
Occupancy is kept within the limits approved for the property, and Melcasa follows a one-person-per-room policy for single-occupancy suites. An up-to-date occupancy register is maintained, and unauthorised subletting or additional occupants are not permitted.
Residents must follow clear house rules covering noise, visitors, shared spaces and respectful behaviour. Parking arrangements and expectations are also explained before move-in. Melcasa actively manages the property and responds promptly if a concern is raised, helping protect the peaceful character of the home and its neighbourhood.
Melcasa provides residents with a 24-hour emergency contact and acts as the first point of response.
If an issue such as a burst pipe, electrical fault or security concern arises, we assess the situation immediately, take practical steps to protect the residents and property, and engage an appropriately qualified emergency contractor where required.
Melcasa handles minor operational matters directly. The managing agent is notified when the issue involves an owner-responsible repair or requires their involvement, allowing emergencies to be addressed promptly without routine after-hours calls going directly to the owner.
Learn about urgent repairs under Victorian rental laws — Consumer Affairs Victoria
Yes, absolutely. At the conclusion of Melcasa’s tenancy, we will manage the administrative and physical transition required to return the property as a standard Class 1a home.
Melcasa will:
Our aim is to return the property with a clean residential presentation, ready for its next chapter as a family home or standard rental property.