Victorian Minimum Rental Standards
If you own a rental property in Victoria, there are minimum standards that property must meet. If you rent a home, those same standards set the baseline for what you should be able to expect. They are not about making every rental property luxurious. They are about the fundamentals: a home that is safe, functional, weatherproof and suitable to live in.
The Victorian Minimum Rental Standards cover 15 areas of the home, including bathrooms, electrical safety, heating, kitchens, laundries, lighting, locks, mould and damp, structural soundness, toilets, ventilation, bins, windows, window coverings and window covering cord safety. A rental property must meet the applicable standards when it is advertised or offered for rent, not simply by the time the renter moves in.
What does this mean for landlords?
That means making sure the heater works properly, the windows open and close as they should, the property is weatherproof, the electrical system is safe, ventilation is adequate and there are no obvious problems with damp, mould or the basic facilities of the home. If something does not meet the required standard, it needs to be dealt with before the property is advertised.
That is particularly worth paying attention to now because another round of changes is coming. From 1 March 2027, new minimum energy efficiency standards begin to apply to heating, hot water, cooling, ceiling insulation and shower heads. Draught proofing follows from 1 July 2027.
The important thing for landlords is that these new standards do not all work in the same way. Some are triggered when a new rental agreement begins or an existing agreement becomes month-to-month. Others are triggered when an existing appliance permanently fails. Cooling then has a final statewide deadline of 1 July 2030.
So this is not really a matter of circling one date on the calendar. It is about knowing what is in the property now and what will be required next.
Do landlords need to prove compliance?
From 13 October 2026, rental providers must keep records sufficient to show that the property met the Minimum Rental Standards when it was advertised or offered for rent.
The law does not simply say “take photos”, but dated photographs are likely to be a very practical part of that record. Photos can help show the condition of things such as window coverings, locks, heating equipment, shower heads and windows. Other requirements may be better demonstrated with invoices, certificates, safety-check records or installation documentation. If work has been carried out to bring the property up to standard, keep the paperwork. If an exemption applies, keep the evidence supporting that too. A useful habit for landlords is to treat the compliance file as part of the property record rather than something assembled later if somebody asks questions.
What should renters expect?
Renters should not have to move in and then discover that the property does not meet the Minimum Rental Standards. The age of the home does not change that. An old home can be perfectly legal and perfectly functional. It simply cannot use its age as an excuse for failing the standards that apply to it. If something does not appear to meet the standard, raise it with the rental provider or property manager and keep a written record of the request.
A failure to meet a Minimum Rental Standard is treated as an urgent repair. Rental providers or their agents must organise urgent repairs immediately. If they do not respond, renters can, in some circumstances, arrange an urgent repair themselves where the cost is no more than $2,500 and seek reimbursement.
That does not mean renters should simply organise work without contacting the landlord or agent first. The urgent repair process has rules, and Consumer Affairs Victoria provides guidance on how to follow it. Repairs in rental properties – Consumer Affairs Victoria.
Heating
Heating is already part of Victoria's Minimum Rental Standards. A rental property must have a fixed heater in good working order in the main living area. Portable heaters do not meet the standard.
From 1 March 2027, the rules become more specific when an existing fixed heating system permanently fails and cannot be repaired. In that situation, it must generally be replaced with an energy-efficient fixed electric heating system. That does not mean every working gas heater has to be removed on 1 March 2027. If the heater is functioning and meets the existing standard, it can remain. The new requirement is triggered when the existing system reaches the end of its life.
For landlords with an older heater, that makes advance planning worthwhile. A failed heater in the middle of winter is not a particularly relaxed time to start researching replacement options.
Hot water
Hot water follows a similar path. From 1 March 2027, when an existing hot-water system permanently fails and cannot be repaired, it must generally be replaced with an energy-efficient electric system. That may mean a heat-pump water heater or another system that meets the new requirements. Again, there is no requirement to remove a working hot-water system simply because 1 March 2027 arrives. The change affects what happens when the existing system fails.
For landlords with an ageing gas hot-water service, it is worth knowing what the replacement is likely to be before the old system gives up.
Cooling
Cooling is one of the bigger changes. From 1 March 2027, a rental property will generally need energy-efficient fixed cooling in the main living area when a new rental agreement begins or an existing agreement becomes month-to-month. Then, from 1 July 2030, all Victorian rental properties must meet the cooling standard, regardless of when the rental agreement began, unless an exemption applies.
For landlords replacing an old heater between now and then, it is worth considering whether one suitable reverse-cycle system could meet both the heating and cooling requirements. Consumer Affairs Victoria specifically points to this as a practical option.
Ceiling insulation
Ceiling insulation also becomes part of the Minimum Rental Standards from 1 March 2027 when a new rental agreement begins or an existing agreement becomes month-to-month. The requirement applies to accessible ceiling areas where there is currently no insulation.
Where new ceiling insulation is required, it must meet a minimum R-value of R5.0.
That does not mean every rental property with older or lower-rated insulation has to have it removed or topped up to R5.0. The requirement applies where there is no insulation in the relevant ceiling area. This is another area where keeping records matters. Landlords should keep invoices, installation details and any other evidence showing what was installed and when.
Shower heads
From 1 March 2027, showers will generally need a 4-star WELS-rated shower head when a new rental agreement begins or an existing agreement becomes month-to-month. There are exemptions where the plumbing cannot properly accommodate a 4-star shower head. For most properties, this should be one of the simpler new standards to deal with.
Draught proofing
Draught proofing becomes part of the Minimum Rental Standards from 1 July 2027 when a new rental agreement begins or an existing agreement becomes month-to-month. The standard applies to gaps around external doors and external windows, as well as unsealed wall vents. The point is not to make the house airtight. It is to stop uncontrolled air leakage through gaps that should not be there.
There is, however, an important gas safety requirement. From 13 October 2026, a licensed or registered gasfitter must carry out a check to identify gas ventilation safety needs within the six months before draught-proofing work is undertaken. That matters because some wall vents are there for combustion safety. They should not simply be sealed because they happen to let cold air in.
Windows and window coverings
Windows that are designed to open need to operate properly and be able to close securely. Living and sleeping areas also need suitable window coverings. Since 1 December 2025, cords on internal window coverings must be secured so they cannot form dangerous loops. From 1 July 2027, gaps around external windows also become relevant under the draught-proofing standard.
Damp and mould
The Minimum Rental Standards also deal with damp and mould. Where mould or damp is caused by, or related to, the building structure, the underlying cause needs to be addressed. Painting over mould may make the wall look better for a while, but if the moisture problem remains, the mould is likely to return. For landlords, recurring mould is a sign that the cause needs investigation. For renters, photographs and written records can be useful if the problem keeps coming back.
Gas and electrical safety checks
There is another important date for landlords to know. From 13 October 2026, gas and electrical safety checks must be arranged every two years for all rental properties, including older rental agreements. That makes the property compliance file even more important. Safety reports, invoices and certificates should be kept with the other records demonstrating that the property is being properly maintained.
Are there exemptions?
Yes. Not every requirement can be applied in exactly the same way to every property. Exemptions can apply in some situations involving heritage restrictions, owners corporation rules, building design, centralised services or physical limitations that make particular work impractical.
An exemption is not simply a decision that the work is difficult or expensive. The regulations set out the circumstances in which an exemption can apply. If a landlord is relying on an exemption, it makes sense to keep clear evidence showing why.
When should landlords check the property?
The best time is before there is a problem. At a minimum, landlords should be thinking about the standards before advertising the property, before a new rental agreement begins and whenever major equipment such as heating or hot water is approaching the end of its life.
The new energy efficiency standards add another useful trigger: whenever work is already being planned, check whether another requirement is likely to follow soon.
For example, if an ageing heater needs replacement and the property does not yet have cooling, it may make more sense to choose one suitable reverse-cycle system than to deal with heating now and cooling separately later.
Likewise, if a new lease will trigger ceiling insulation, cooling and shower-head requirements, it is worth looking at those together rather than treating them as three unrelated jobs.
Planning ahead will generally be easier than dealing with each requirement at the point it becomes urgent.
Are there rebates and discounts?
Yes. Victorian Energy Upgrades discounts are available for a number of the upgrades covered by the new energy efficiency standards, and further support is being introduced as the standards come into effect.
Eligibility, products and available discounts can change, so landlords should check the current programs before commissioning work rather than assuming an upgrade has to be paid for entirely out of pocket. Some of ecoMaster’s products are accredited with the VEU, but we restrict who installs them due to our requirement for high quality workmanship.
Not Especially Confident With DIY?
You do not need to be a seasoned DIYer to tackle most of these jobs, but it does help to know what “finished properly” should look like. All of the ecoMaster draught-proofing solutions have DIY installation videos to guide you through the process, from measuring and preparation through to fitting the seals neatly and checking that doors and windows still operate as they should.
Check out The Landlord’s Guide to DIY Draught Proofing for Victorian Minimum Rental Standards
The aim is not just to get something stuck on the frame. It is to end up with a tidy, professional-looking result that does the job properly and supports compliance with the Minimum Rental Standards.
Once the work is finished, keep the receipts for the products and take clear, dated photos of the completed door seals, window seals and any wall vents that have been closed. From 13 October 2026, landlords need to keep records showing that the property met the Minimum Rental Standards when it was advertised or offered for rent, so a few good photos and the paperwork are well worth hanging onto.
What happens if the property does not meet the standards?
For landlords, Minimum Rental Standards are legal requirements rather than optional improvements. For renters, a failure to meet a standard can create repair rights and may fall under the urgent repairs process.
If a renter has signed a rental agreement but has not yet moved in and discovers the property does not meet the Minimum Rental Standards, there are also specific options available, including ending the agreement in some circumstances or moving in and requesting urgent repairs.
Where there is disagreement about whether a property complies or whether repairs have been dealt with properly, Consumer Affairs Victoria and Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria are the appropriate places to seek current guidance, with VCAT available where disputes cannot be resolved.
- Consumer Affairs Victoria – Resolving renting disputes
- Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV)
- VCAT – residential tenancy disputes
The dates landlords and renters need to know
The next major date is 13 October 2026. From then, rental providers must keep records showing that the property met the Minimum Rental Standards when it was advertised or offered for rent. Gas and electrical safety checks will also be required every two years for all rental properties, and a gas ventilation safety check will be required before draught-proofing work.
From 1 March 2027, the new energy efficiency requirements begin for heating, hot water, cooling, ceiling insulation and shower heads. The exact trigger depends on the standard.
From 1 July 2027, draught proofing becomes part of the Minimum Rental Standards for new rental agreements and agreements moving to month-to-month.
And from 1 July 2030, all Victorian rental properties must meet the cooling standard unless an exemption applies.
Minimum means minimum
The Minimum Rental Standards are exactly that: the legal minimum. They do not guarantee that every rental home will be wonderfully warm in winter, cool in summer or inexpensive to run. What they do provide is a much clearer baseline.
For landlords, that means knowing what needs to be in place, keeping evidence that it is in place, and planning ahead for the standards that are coming.
For renters, it means having a clearer idea of what you should expect when you rent a home, and what you can do when something does not meet the standard.
The rules are becoming more detailed, but the basic idea is not complicated: a Victorian rental property should be safe, functional and reasonably equipped for the people living in it.