Victorian rental law has undergone its biggest transformation in decades. Whether you're a first-time landlord or have been renting out properties for years, the changes that came into effect in November 2025 (with more arriving throughout 2026) affect how you advertise, lease, maintain, and manage your rental property.
This guide covers everything you need to stay compliant and avoid costly penalties.
Quick Summary
What's now in effect:
- Rent bidding is banned: you cannot accept offers above advertised price
- Notice periods for rent increases and vacate notices are 90 days
- Standardised rental application forms are mandatory
- Blind cord safety requirements apply to all rentals
- Tenants can request pets with a structured approval process
- Bond claims require evidence, and penalties apply for incorrect claims
- Disputes must go through RDRV before VCAT
Coming up:
- November 2026: Professional development requirements for property managers
- 1 March 2027: Energy efficiency standards begin (insulation, cooling)
- 1 July 2030: Full compliance deadline for energy efficiency standards
Current Rules (Since November 2025)
Rent Bidding is Banned
You cannot:
- Encourage prospective tenants to offer more than the advertised rent
- Accept offers above the listed price
- Advertise a price range (e.g., "$450-$500 per week")
What you must do: Advertise a single, fixed rental price. If you receive an unsolicited higher offer, you must decline it.
Penalty: Significant fines apply for breaches. This applies to both landlords and agents.
Extended Notice Periods
The notice period you must give tenants is 90 days for:
- Rent increases
- Notices to vacate
This gives tenants more time to budget for changes or find alternative accommodation. Plan your rent reviews accordingly: you need to think three months ahead, not two.
Standardised Rental Applications
The rules:
- All rental applications must use the prescribed (standard) form
- You cannot create your own application form or use modified versions
- You cannot ask for more information than what's on the standard form
What this means: If you're self-managing, make sure you're using the correct form from Consumer Affairs Victoria. Using a non-compliant form can attract penalties.
Bond Claim Requirements
New requirements mandate that landlords provide evidence when making bond claims. You'll need documentation proving:
- The condition of the property at the start of the tenancy (condition report)
- The condition at the end of the tenancy
- Proof of any cleaning, repairs, or unpaid rent
Financial penalties now apply for incorrect or unsubstantiated claims. For a detailed walkthrough of what you can claim and how to handle disputes, see our guide to bond disputes in Australia.
Rent Payment Fees Banned
Tenants can no longer be charged fees to pay rent through third-party "rent tech" apps. If you use a platform that charges tenants to make payments, you'll need to offer a fee-free alternative.
Minimum Property Standards
Before you can advertise a property for rent in Victoria, it must meet minimum standards. Note: these standards must be met when advertising, not just when the tenant moves in.
Blind Cord Safety (1 December 2025)
From 1 December 2025, all rental properties must have blind and curtain cords made safe using anchors or other approved safety devices. Cords must be secured at least 1.6 metres above floor level to prevent loops that could endanger children.
Energy Efficiency Standards (From 1 March 2027)
Victoria is introducing phased energy efficiency requirements:
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Ceiling insulation | Must be installed where none exists, meeting minimum R-value requirements |
| Cooling | Energy-efficient cooling required in the main living area (minimum 3-star fixed appliance or 2-star central cooler) |
| Hot water & heating replacement | When current systems fail, must be replaced with energy-efficient electric appliances |
Full compliance deadline: All rental properties must meet these cooling standards by 1 July 2030, regardless of when the rental agreement began.
Ongoing Minimum Standards
The full list of 14 standards also includes:
- Functioning locks on external doors and windows
- Adequate lighting in common areas
- Working toilet, bathroom, and laundry facilities
- Functioning smoke alarms
- Electrical and gas safety compliance
- Structurally sound building
- Adequate ventilation
- Weather-proof exterior
Action required: Before listing your property, complete a compliance check against all 14 standards. Non-compliant properties cannot be advertised.
Your Obligations as a Landlord
Before the Tenancy Starts
- Ensure the property meets all minimum standards
- Provide a copy of the condition report for the tenant to complete
- Lodge the bond with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA)
- Provide the tenant with the Renting a Home guide
- Give the tenant your contact details or your agent's details
During the Tenancy
- Keep the property in good repair
- Respond to urgent repairs within prescribed timeframes
- Respect the tenant's right to quiet enjoyment
- Give appropriate notice before entering the property
- Only increase rent once every 12 months with 90 days' notice
At the End of the Tenancy
- Provide a valid reason for ending the tenancy (no-fault evictions are restricted)
- Give 90 days' notice for most vacate reasons
- Conduct a final inspection and complete the end condition report
- Submit any bond claims with proper evidence
What You Cannot Do
You Cannot:
Evict without reason: "No grounds" evictions are now heavily restricted in Victoria. You need a valid reason such as:
- You're selling the property and require vacant possession
- You or a family member will move in
- The property requires major renovations
- The tenant has breached the agreement
Increase rent more than once per year: Rent can only be increased once every 12 months, regardless of any lease renewal.
Refuse pets unreasonably: Tenants can request to keep a pet. You can only refuse on reasonable grounds (such as the property being unsuitable). If you don't respond within 14 days, consent is automatically given.
Charge application fees: You cannot charge prospective tenants a fee to apply for your property.
Discriminate: You cannot refuse to rent to someone based on their children, occupation, source of income (including Centrelink), or other protected attributes.
Enter without proper notice: You must give appropriate notice before entering the property:
- 24 hours for routine inspections (maximum 4 per year)
- 24 hours for repairs (unless urgent)
- 48 hours for open inspections when selling
Rent Increases
The Rules
- Maximum one increase per 12 months
- Minimum 90 days' written notice required
- Notice must be in the prescribed form
- The increase must not be excessive (tenants can challenge at VCAT)
What Counts as "Excessive"?
VCAT will consider:
- The general level of rents for comparable properties in the area
- The landlord's outgoings (rates, insurance, maintenance)
- The condition of the property
- Any improvements made
Notice Requirements
Your rent increase notice must include:
- The current rent amount
- The new rent amount
- The date the increase takes effect (at least 90 days away)
- Information about the tenant's right to challenge
Pet Ownership Rules
The current rules:
- Tenants can make a written request to keep a pet
- You have 14 days to respond
- You can only refuse on reasonable grounds
- If you don't respond in 14 days, consent is deemed given
Reasonable grounds for refusal include:
- The property is unsuitable (e.g., no yard for a large dog, strata rules prohibit pets)
- Keeping the pet would break another law
- The type of pet poses a genuine risk
You cannot refuse simply because:
- You don't like animals
- Previous tenants caused pet damage
- It might affect the property value
If you have conditions (like requiring the carpet to be professionally cleaned at the end), include these in your written consent.
Ending a Tenancy
Valid Reasons to Issue a Notice to Vacate
| Reason | Notice Required |
|---|---|
| End of fixed term (with valid reason) | 90 days |
| Property to be sold (vacant possession required) | 90 days |
| Landlord/family member moving in | 90 days |
| Demolition or major renovation | 90 days |
| Tenant breach (unpaid rent, damage) | 14 days |
| Tenant breach (other) | 14 days to remedy, then 14 days to vacate |
What's NOT a Valid Reason
- "The lease is ending" (without another valid reason)
- Wanting to increase rent beyond what's reasonable
- Retaliating against a tenant who asserted their rights
- The tenant complained about repairs
Dispute Resolution Changes
Residential Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV)
All disputes relating to bonds, compensation, rent increases, and repairs must now be managed through Residential Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV) before they can be escalated to VCAT. This includes disputes over:
- Rent arrears
- Bond claims
- Property damage
- Repairs
What's Coming in 2026
Professional Development Requirements (November 2026)
Real estate agents, property managers, owners corporation managers and conveyancers will be required to be registered and undertake ongoing professional development. If you use a property manager, they'll need to maintain compliance with these new requirements.
New Regulations for Land Lease Operators
From 1 July 2026, operators of caravan parks and manufactured home estates face increased disclosure requirements.
Common Mistakes That Cost Landlords
1. Not Updating Condition Reports
Poor documentation at the start and end of a tenancy makes bond claims difficult. Take dated photos and videos.
2. Advertising Non-Compliant Properties
Listing a property that doesn't meet minimum standards can result in fines. Check compliance before advertising.
3. Using Old Application Forms
The prescribed form is mandatory. Old forms or custom versions aren't valid.
4. Insufficient Notice Periods
The 90-day notice requirement catches many landlords out. Mark your calendar accordingly.
5. Responding Too Slowly to Pet Requests
If you don't respond within 14 days, consent is automatically granted. Set reminders for important deadlines.
6. Bond Claims Without Evidence
Simply stating "cleaning required" isn't enough. You need quotes, photos, and comparison with the entry condition report.
Related Guides
- NSW Rental Laws Every Landlord Must Know
- Queensland Rental Law Guide
- How to Handle Bond Disputes in Australia