Stronger protections open doors to rental homes
We’re opening doors to more rental properties by building more homes, so there will be more properties available for you to rent where you want to live – near the things you need, the lifestyle you lead, and the people you love.
We’re also protecting renters’ rights through a raft of rental initiatives and reforms.
What we’ve done
Support
Established Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria
Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV)(opens in a new window) is a free alternative dispute resolution service. It can help resolve disputes about many renting issues, including rent increases, repairs and bonds. If RDRV can’t resolve the issue, it will help you apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)(opens in a new window).
Victorian Renter Rights Program
Renters will soon have access to more support services under the new Victorian Renter Rights Program. Under the new program, the government will nearly double its annual funding for renter assistance, providing $98.74 million over 5 years to boost renting support services.
Existing renter support services including the Tenancy Assistance and Advocacy Program(opens in a new window), Retirement Housing Assistance and Advocacy Program(opens in a new window) and Tenancy Central Service(opens in a new window) programs will be extended to allow time to transition to the new model.
Learn more at Victorian Renter Rights Program(opens in a new window)
Security and affordability
Banned no-fault evictions
Rental providers can’t kick you out of your home without a valid reason. You can’t be kicked out just because someone wants to put the home straight back on the market to bump up the rent.
Learn about how evictions work(opens in a new window).
Banned all types of rental bidding
Agents and rental providers are banned from asking for or accepting offers made by a renter to pay rent higher than the advertised amount or to pay more than one month’s rent in advance.
Extended notice periods for rent increases and certain notices to vacate
Rental providers must give a renter 90 days' notice of a rent increase and for certain notices to vacate, giving renters more time to budget or move.
Learn more about Notice to vacate in rental properties(opens in a new window) and Rent increases(opens in a new window).
Ban on third party fees for applications and rent payment
Third party businesses like rent tech platforms are banned from charging fees for rental applications or rent payments. While rental providers and agents may still use third party platforms, it’s an offence for the businesses that run these to
More power to stop excessive rent increases
Renters can challenge a rent increase notice if they think the proposed increase is excessive. The Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), including Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria, can now consider additional factors when determining whether a proposed rent increase is excessive.
Safety and liveability
Rental properties must meet minimum standards when advertised or let out
Rental providers must make sure their property meets the minimum standards at the time it’s advertised, before they offer it to a renter and when a renter moves in.
Read about minimum standards for rental properties(opens in a new window).
Mandatory annual smoke alarm testing
Only working smoke alarms save lives. If you’re renting a house or unit, the rental provider must make sure smoke alarms are installed and kept in working condition.
Learn more about smoke alarms and fire safety(opens in a new window) and why you need smoke alarms(opens in a new window).
New minimum standards – blind cord safety anchors and heating for rooming houses
All rental properties must have secured cords on internal window coverings to prevent them forming loops, and rooming house providers must install a fixed heater secured to a wall, floor or ceiling for each resident’s room.
Read about minimum standards for rental properties (opens in a new window)and about minimum standards for rooming houses.(opens in a new window)
Applications and privacy
New standard form for rental applications
It’s now quicker and easier to apply for a rental property. Rental providers and their agents must use the new prescribed form for rental applications, and follow clear rules for the type of information they can ask from renters.
Read about applying for a rental property(opens in a new window).
Protecting the personal information of renters
Rental providers and their agents must protect renters’ personal information from misuse. They will need to follow rules around destruction and de-identification when handling information provided through rental applications or rental agreements.
Read about protecting a renter’s personal information.(opens in a new window)
Compliance and enforcement
Targeted rental breaches through the renting taskforce
Since March 2024, the renting taskforce has been protecting renters’ rights by monitoring the rental market, educating rental providers and agents on their obligations, and investigating and taking enforcement action against rental breaches.
Report an issue with an advertised rental property(opens in a new window) to the taskforce.
What we’re working on – reforms still to come
Introducing the Portable Rental Bond Scheme
Instead of paying for a new bond upfront, eligible renters can use the Portable Rental Bond Scheme to transfer their existing bond to their next rental property. This can help reduce the financial burden of paying a second bond before the first one is refunded
No bond claims without evidence from rental providers
We’re cancelling the culture of unsubstantiated bond claims by mandating requirements for evidence – and imposing financial penalties for people doing the wrong thing.
You should only be charged when the damage is real – and you deserve to know it’s been properly recorded and costed by someone who knows what they are talking about.
Learn more about Bond claims and refunds(opens in a new window).
Capping cost of breaking a lease
If you break a rental agreement, the rental provider is entitled to some compensation for lost rent. But this should be a fair and reasonable amount – not something that breaks the bank.
The costs a renter has to pay depend on the kind of rental agreement and the costs the rental provider has paid.
View the Costs for breaking an agreement(opens in a new window)
Learn more at Leaving a rental property early or without notice(opens in a new window)
No fees for extra keys (or key fobs)
If you live in a secure apartment building, losing your fob can be a disaster – especially if you don’t have a spare.
Rental providers must give each person on the rental agreement a free set of keys when they move in. This also applies to security devices such as swipe cards.
If the renter needs both a key and another security device to get into the property, both have to be supplied free of charge.
Learn more at Locks and security(opens in a new window)
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