The minimum standards apply to rental agreements that:
started after 29 March 2021
started before 29 March 2021 and roll over into periodic agreements on or after 29 March 2021.
Rolling over to a periodic agreement is considered starting a new agreement, even if occupancy began before 29 March 2021.
The minimum standards are divided into 15 categories. All rental properties must meet the standards for each category.
The only cases where a deadlatch doesn’t have to be fitted to a door are when:
a door cannot be secured with a deadlatch - for example, because of its position
it is a screen door in the same door frame as an external door
a different type of lock or device is required under another Act or law
the door is not directly accessible because there is another type of security barrier, such as a locked door to an apartment building, or a locked gate
the property is registered under the Heritage Act 2017 and has an approved exemption from the standard.
Read more about locks and security.
pipes that carry the sewage to a treatment plant (a reticulated sewerage system)
a wastewater treatment system permitted under the Code of practice – Onsite wastewater management at EPA Victoria
any other system approved by the local council.
The toilet must be in a separate room in the property, either by itself, or in an appropriate room like a bathroom or in a combined bathroom-laundry.
Showers must have a shower head with a 3-star water efficiency rating. If one cannot be installed, for example because of the property’s age, then a shower head with a 1- or 2-star rating is acceptable.
a dedicated cooking and food preparation area
a sink in good working order connected to a reasonable supply of hot and cold water
a stovetop in good working order that has two or more burners.
If there is an oven, it needs to be in good working order.
These requirements do not apply if the property is listed in the heritage register at Heritage Council Victoria and has an approved exemption from the standard.
From 29 March 2023, all power outlets and lighting circuits in a rental property must be connected to:
a switchboard type circuit breaker that complies with AS/NZS 3000 for wiring, and
a switchboard type residual current device that complies with AS/NZS 3190 or AS/NZS 61008.1 or AS/NZS 61009.1.
These requirements do not apply if the property is registered under the Heritage Act 2017 and has an approved exemption from the standard.
The property must meet the appropriate ventilation requirements of the Building Code of Australia, which are different for different kinds of properties. You can search resources in the Australian Building Codes Board resources library.
From 29 March 2023, the heater must also meet energy efficiency standards. This means that if a renter enters into a rental agreement from 29 March 2023, there must be a fixed energy efficient heater in the main living area. If there is an existing fixed heater that is not energy efficient, the rental provider must upgrade it.
An energy efficient fixed heater must be one of the following:
a non-ducted air conditioner or heat pump with a 2 star or above energy rating
a gas space heater with a 2 star or above energy rating
a ducted heating or hydronic heating system with an outlet in the main living area
a domestic solid fuel burning appliance, such as a fireplace or wood burning stove.
In some apartment blocks it may not be practical to install an energy efficient heater - because of owner’s corporation rules, or costs, for example.
It may be unreasonable to install an energy efficient heater because:
it would cost more:
than the average cost of installation
to meet other Acts or local laws
owners corporation rules prohibit it.
If this is the case, the rental provider must still install a fixed heater in the main living area.
If a rental provider considers that it would be unreasonable to install an energy efficient fixed heater, they should:
have evidence to show that it is unreasonable, and
let the renter know before they enter into a rental agreement.
Click on the image below to download our RentSafe Rental Minimum Standards Brochure
Click on the image below to download our RentSafe Rental Minimum Standards Authorisation Form
