Shannon Chessells
Associate
Property and Development
Victoria’s residential rental laws have undergone significant reforms in favour of renters, with further changes on the way.
Several major changes are already in effect. One of the most noteworthy is the ban on no fault evictions, introduced on 25 November 2025. Rental providers can no longer issue renters with a notice to vacate without a valid reason, even at the end of a fixed term lease. When a fixed-term lease ends, the lease will automatically roll over to a month by month lease unless both parties agree to enter into a new fixed-term lease or the rental provider serves a notice to vacate with a valid reason. Valid reasons include property sale, major renovations or demolition of the property, the rental provider or their immediate family are moving in or serious breaches such as rent arrears. In most cases, the rental provider must provide evidence with the notice to vacate, such as a building permit or statutory declaration. It is important that the correct evidence is provided to avoid the notice being invalid.
Renters are also benefiting from increased notice periods. Rental providers must now give 90 days’ notice for rent increases and for certain notices to vacate. Additionally, all forms of rental bidding are now banned, preventing agents and rental providers from accepting offers above the advertised rent or payment of more than one month’s rent in advance.
Minimum property standards have also been strengthened. Rental properties must meet minimum standards at the time they are advertised, not just before a renter moves in. Mandatory annual smoke alarm safety checks are now required for all rental agreements and starting 1 December 2025, all internal blind cords must be anchored, and rooming houses must have a fixed heater for each resident’s room.
More reforms commenced on 31 March 2026, including a standardised rental application form, clearer limits on what information can be requested from applicants, a ban on third party application and rent payment fees, and expanded considerations when assessing excessive rent increases.
Looking ahead, even further additional changes will take effect from 13 October 2026. These include strengthened bond claims, requiring rental providers to provide notice in advance if they intend to make a claim on the bond and evidence must be given to support the claim. Rental providers will be struck with mandatory record keeping protocols to prove compliance with minimum standards prior to the property being advertised or offered for rent. Biennial gas and electrical safety checks, gas ventilation checks 6 months prior to any draughtproofing works and a prohibition on fees charged to a renter by rental providers or agents when making a rental application are also among those changes coming into effect from 13 October 2026.
From 1 March 2027, rental properties will progressively need to meet new minimum energy efficiency standards for heating, cooling, hot water, showerheads, ceiling insulation and draughtproofing.
Together, these reforms represent a substantial shift in Victoria’s rental landscape, prioritising renters and setting higher expectations for property investors.
If you need any assistance navigating the current or proposed changes please contact myself or our property team on (03) 5445 3333 or email info@becklegal.com.au
