Renting on the Peninsula: permanent leases vs holiday lets

The Peninsula rental market has a split personality: permanent rentals in the working towns, and a holiday-let economy in the beach suburbs that can make long leases hard to find.

Where the permanent rentals are

Mornington, Hastings, Rosebud, Somerville and Mount Eliza carry most of the Peninsula's long-term leases, because that is where people live and work all year. In the beach villages a large share of houses are holiday homes, so long leases there come up less often and go quickly.

The winter trap

In the holiday suburbs you will sometimes see six-month leases from autumn to spring. They are cheaper because the owner wants the house back for summer. Fine if that suits you; a nasty surprise if you did not read the lease end date.

Short-stay rules

Victoria introduced a 7.5 per cent levy on short-stay accommodation from 1 January 2025, and the Shire has its own registration rules for holiday lets. For tenants it has nudged some owners back to permanent leasing; for landlords it changes the maths on a holiday let versus a 12-month tenant.

Applying

Have your documents ready before the inspection: ID, proof of income and rental references. Good rentals in Mornington and Mount Eliza can be leased within days. Turn on an instant rental alert and you will see new leases the day they are listed. Our tenant guide covers bonds, pets and your rights.

Sources

• State Revenue Office: short stay levy
• Consumer Affairs Victoria: renting

Rules and thresholds were checked in October 2026. They change — confirm with the source before you sign anything.