Minimum Rental Standards in Victoria (2026): A Complete Guide for Property Managers and Rental Providers

June 18, 2026

If you are a property manager or landlord in Victoria, then you are likely aware of the 15 new Rental Minimum Standards that came into effect from December 1, 2025 to date.

From this date on, it’s your responsibility to ensure the property is compliant with these standards, not only before renters move in, but before the property is even advertised.

Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines from Consumer Affairs Victoria of up to $12,000 for landlords and $60,000 for property management agencies.

This guide explains exactly what the current Victorian minimum rental standards are, what’s changed recently, and how to ensure your property remains compliant.

What Are the Minimum Rental Standards in Victoria? 

Minimum rental standards (MRS) are the legal requirements that every residential property must meet under the Residential Tenancies Act.

The purpose of these standards is to ensure properties are:

• Safe
• Secure
• Livable
• Structurally sound and waterproof

Plus energy efficiency components (coming in 2027 [INSERT LINK TO OTHER BLOG ON THIS).

From December 1 2025, landlords and property managers must ensure that properties comply prior to advertising not prior to renters moving in.

Consumer Affairs Victoria have commissioned a Rental Taskforce conducting spot checks across the state and are even attending rental open for inspections – further highlighting the importance of meeting these requirements.

Summary:

Victorian rental properties must meet 15 minimum standards covering safety, security, heating, kitchens, bathrooms, ventilation, mould, windows and structural soundness. From November 2025, properties must comply before being advertised for rent.

What Are the 15 Minimum Rental Standards in Victoria (2026)?

1. Blind Cord Anchors

All internal window coverings like blinds and curtains that have cords that:

• Form a loop (220mm or wider)
• Are 1600mm or lower from the floor

…must be anchored to the wall to prevent children from getting stuck and choking.

This is achieved by either raising the height of the cord, anchoring the cord to the wall or, in instances where it cannot be anchored, wrapping around a cleat.

2. Window Coverings

Windows in rooms likely to be used as either bedrooms or living areas must be fit with coverings that:

• Can be opened and closed
• Provide privacy to the renter
• Reasonably block light

3.  Windows

Windows in the property that are capable of opening must be able to be:

• Opened and stay open
• Closed and stay closed
• Have a locking mechanism that protects against intrusion

4. Mould and damp

The property must be free of mould and damp.

There is a clear distinction between mould causality and who is responsible in each instance.

For example, if the mould is related to a lack of ventilation, waterproofing, or building design or structure, then it is the rental provider’s responsibility to fix.

On the other hand, if there is mould as a result of the renter’s misuse (eg: not turning on an exhaust fan while having a shower) – then the onus is on the renter to clean and ensure safe practice is maintained.

5. Locks

External doors for the property must all be fitted with a lock that:

• Can be locked from the outside with a key
• Can be locked and unlocked from the inside with and without a key*

*There is a discrepancy between the Rental Tenancies Regulations (RTR) and the Consumer Affairs Website in the wording around this. We have opted to follow the same wording as the RTR.

The lock on the external doors is to be a deadlock if it’s possible.

The definition of a deadlock is a deadlatch with at least 1 cylinder.

In simple terms, we define a pass (where possible) as when there is a ‘latch’ that goes from the door into the wall (or vice versa).

6. Heating

With Melbourne being a cool-climate environment, it’s mandatory that every rental property has fixed heating in the main living area that at least a 2-star energy efficiency. The types of heaters that comply include:

• Split-System Air Conditioning
• Gas Ducted Heating
• Electric Ducted Heating
• Gas wall furnaces or space heaters

Note that panel heaters are not energy efficient and do not comply with the legislation unless there is an exemption preventing the above from being installed.

Exemptions include instances where the OC prevents installation, it is not practically possible or the cost is more than usual. In these instances, a panel heater not designed to be portable may be installed to provide some heating to the area.

One final note: not all heaters in the above list are necessarily 2-star compliant with heating, so care must be taken when selecting the correct heater.

7. Structural soundness and weatherproofing

Every property must be structurally sound and weatherproof.

Our rule of thumb is: if this property is showing signs that it is falling apart or water ingress, then it fails.

8. Vermin-proof bins

Quite self-explanatory, every property needs to have both a rubbish bin and a recycling bin.

9. Ventilation

Every property must have adequate ventilation in all rooms, but particularly important for the:

• Toilet
• Bathrooms
• Showers
• Laundry

The performance requirement in accordance with the Rental Tenancies Act is to conform to the Building Code of Australia 2019 ventilation requirements.

This may be in the form of fixed mechanical ventilation, like an exhaust fan, an adequately sized window or through borrowed ventilation in adjacent rooms. Further details can be found in the National Construction Code and will depend on the age, type of building and room type.

10. Toilets

Quite self-explanatory, every property needs to have a toilet that is in good working order.

11. Lighting

Quite self-explanatory, every property needs to have adequate lighting.

12. Electrical Safety

Electrical safety is an item that is covered in detail by the Electrical Safety Checks.

This has been mandatory to comply with, which commenced on 29 March 2023.

One of the major components of electrical safety is ensuring that the switchboard is a modern-style switchboard with circuit breakers that provide RCD-protection (via either an RCD or RCBO).

It is mandatory for rental properties that all power and lighting circuits have RCD-protection.

It is further recommended that all other circuits also have RCD-protection, although not mandatory to confirm with under the Rental Tenancies Act.

13. Laundry

Quite self-explanatory, IF the property has a laundry, then it needs to be supplied with both hot and cold water taps.

A side note on this: modern-day washing machines do not require a hot water supply as they self-heat internally. Although there is no exemption for this in the rental minimum standards, this can be noted from a practical perspective.

14. Kitchen

Quite self-explanatory, every property needs to have a kitchen with a dedicated food preparation area, functional sink and a functional cooktop with at least 2 burners.

15. Bathrooms

Quite self-explanatory, every property needs to have a bathroom with a shower or bath and a washbasin. The shower head must be at least 3-star rated showerhead (moving to a 4-star rated unit in 2027).

Future Minimum Standard Requirements in 2027 for Energy Efficiency 

In addition to meeting the above criteria, there are more requirements being phased in from 2027 and beyond.

For further information, see our article here on future energy efficiency requirements for rental properties from 2027 onwards.

What happens if Minimum Rental Standards are not met?

If a property does not meet Minimum Rental Standards, then it technically cannot be inhabited or even advertised for rent.

Failure to meet these minimum standards may result in renters:

• Requesting urgent repairs
• Applying to VCAT
• Seeking compensation
• Requesting rent reductions
• Reporting the matter to Consumer Affairs Victoria

Furthermore, as stated above, owners may be liable for fines up to $12,000 and property management agencies up to $60,000.

Biggest Mistakes Landlords Make

Assuming smoke alarms equal compliance

Smoke alarms are only one piece of the puzzle.

Waiting until a tenant moves in

Properties must now be compliant before advertising.

Forgetting gas, electrical and smoke alarm safety checks

These are separate mandatory obligations.

Ignoring mould (caused by structural issues)

Mould and damp are among the most common causes of disputes.

Missing blind cord requirements

Since December 2025, loose blind cords are no longer acceptable.

Victoria’s Trusted Safety Check Specialists

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