Rental Minimum Standards Victoria: What Landlords Must Comply With in 2026

Victoria's rental minimum standards are not suggestions. Before a property can legally be advertised for rent in Victoria, it must already comply with all 14 mandatory standards. Non-compliance is not a "fix it when a tenant complains" situation — it can expose landlords to Consumer Affairs Victoria enforcement action, tenant termination rights, and urgent repair orders that must be completed at the landlord's cost on tight timelines.

The standards became significantly more stringent in 2021 under the renter reforms, and have been updated twice since — in 2023 for electrical safety and heating, and in 2025 for blind cord safety and the advertising standard timing. Here is the current picture for 2026.

The 14 Standards and What They Require

1. Locks — All external entry doors (excluding screen doors) must have functioning deadlocks operable by key from the outside. Minor exceptions apply for some heritage properties and communal lobby doors.

2. Bins — The property must have vermin-proof rubbish and recycling bins that are compatible with the local council's collection system.

3. Toilets — A toilet in good working order, connected to an appropriate sewerage or wastewater system, within a dedicated room.

4. Bathrooms — A washbasin and shower or bath connected to both hot and cold water. The showerhead must meet a minimum 3-star water efficiency rating unless the plumbing age prevents it.

5. Kitchens — A dedicated food preparation area, a sink with hot and cold water, and a functioning cooktop with at least two burners. Any existing oven on the property must be functional.

6. Laundry — If laundry facilities are present in the property, they must be connected to a reasonable hot and cold water supply.

7. Structural soundness — The property must be entirely weatherproof and structurally sound.

8. Mould and dampness — All rooms must be free from mould or dampness caused by the building's structure. Cosmetic mould from poor ventilation habits may be distinguished from structural mould, but the standard places the initial onus on ensuring there is no building-origin moisture problem.

9. Electrical safety (Updated 2023) — All power outlets and lighting circuits must be connected to a modern circuit breaker and a compliant residual current device (RCD) safety switch. Older properties with outdated switchboards that lack RCDs are non-compliant. Upgrading typically costs $800 to $1,500 depending on the switchboard configuration.

10. Window coverings and blind cords (Updated December 2025) — Bedrooms and living areas must have functional blinds or curtains for privacy. From 1 December 2025, all loose looped blind cords hanging below 1,600mm must be fitted with safety anchors to eliminate strangulation risks for children. This applies to all rental properties immediately — not just new tenancies.

11. Windows — All external opening windows must have functioning latches to secure the property against external entry.

12. Lighting — Interior rooms, corridors, and hallways must have adequate natural or artificial light appropriate for their function.

13. Ventilation — Bathrooms, laundries, and toilets must meet the ventilation requirements specified in the Building Code of Australia.

14. Heating (Updated 2023) — The main living area must have an energy-efficient fixed heater. A reverse-cycle split system or a gas space heater with a minimum 2-star energy rating satisfies the standard. Portable electric heaters are explicitly prohibited from meeting this requirement. A property without a fixed, compliant heater in the main living area is non-compliant regardless of whether the landlord provides a portable heater as an alternative.

The Advertising Standard: Compliance Before You List

One of the most significant changes since 2021 is the advertising standard rule. Properties must meet all 14 standards at the time they are advertised, not just before the tenant moves in.

This means that if you list your property on realestate.com.au or Domain before updating the electrical switchboard or installing the required fixed heater, you are already in breach, even if you planned to complete the works before the lease started. The standard is triggered by the act of advertising.

This catches investors who purchase a non-compliant property and want to rent it out immediately. A quick renovation is required before the property can be legally listed.

The 2027 Energy Efficiency Upgrades

The current 14 standards will expand further from March 2027. Proposed requirements include:

• Minimum R5.0 ceiling insulation
• 4-star rated showerheads
• Draught-proofing measures for external doors and windows

These are not yet in effect, but they are legislated and investors should factor them into capital expenditure planning, particularly for older Victorian homes and units that pre-date insulation standards.

Mandatory Safety Checks: The Recurring Cost

Beyond the 14 minimum standards, Victorian landlords must organise and pay for mandatory safety checks on a defined schedule:

Gas safety check: Every two years, conducted by a licensed gas fitter. All gas appliances, connections, and flues must be checked and a compliance certificate issued.

Electrical safety check: Every two years, conducted by a licensed electrician. Switchboard, circuits, RCDs, and wiring must be assessed and a certificate issued.

Smoke alarm check: Every year, by a qualified technician. Battery replacement and operational testing required.

Combined cost for all three checks in Melbourne is typically $450 to $665 per year based on current market rates. This is a mandatory, non-negotiable recurring expense. It should be in your annual operating budget from day one.

Landlords who use property managers should confirm explicitly that the manager is scheduling these checks — not assuming the manager's standard service covers it. Many property management agreements treat safety check scheduling as an optional add-on service, or charge the labour coordination separately.

What Happens If You Don't Comply

A tenant who moves into a non-compliant property has the right to:

• Terminate the rental agreement before occupancy begins
• Request urgent repairs to achieve compliance upon move-in
• Report the property to Consumer Affairs Victoria

Consumer Affairs Victoria can investigate landlord compliance and issue compliance notices. Continued non-compliance can result in fines.

More practically: a tenant who terminates before moving in due to non-compliance creates an unexpected vacancy, a re-advertising cost, and a potential letting fee. Getting compliance right before advertising is cheaper than dealing with the consequences of getting it wrong.

The Victoria Investment Property Guide includes a minimum standards compliance checklist, a cost estimation worksheet for bringing a Victorian investment property into full compliance, and a property management briefing template for ensuring your PM is scheduling all mandatory safety checks on time.

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