Victorian Rental Rules: What Property Owners Should Check Now

Victoria’s rental laws have changed considerably over the past year, affecting how properties are advertised, applications are handled, rent is increased and tenancies are ended.

For property owners, the practical question is whether the way your property is currently managed reflects those requirements.

There are also further changes taking effect from 13 October 2026, so now is a reasonable time to check what already applies and what needs to be prepared for.

1. Rental applications

Since 31 March 2026, rental providers and agents have been required to use the prescribed rental application form.

There are also restrictions on the information that can be requested from applicants. Information generally needs to be limited to what is required to assess their suitability, confirm their identity and establish their capacity to pay the advertised rent.

This is not just an administrative requirement. Consumer Affairs Victoria recently took action after identifying unlawful questions on a widely used rental application platform, which were subsequently removed.

2. Rent Increases

Rental providers must give renters at least 90 days’ notice of a rent increase.

The notice must also explain how the proposed increase was calculated. If the property is under a fixed term agreement, rent can only be increased during that term if the agreement allows for it and states how the increase will be calculated.

Before issuing an increase, check that the timing, calculation and required notice are correct.

3. Minimum Property Standards

Rental properties must meet Victoria’s minimum standards when they are advertised or offered for rent, as well as before a renter moves in.

There are currently 15 categories of minimum standards covering areas including bathrooms, electrical safety, heating, locks, ventilation, structural condition and window coverings.

If you are preparing to advertise a property, compliance should therefore be checked before the listing goes live.

4. Ending a tenancy

No fault evictions were banned in Victoria from 25 November 2025.

Rental providers must now have a valid reason to issue a notice to vacate, including when a fixed term agreement ends. Valid reasons can include circumstances such as selling or renovating the property or a renter breaching the agreement.

Property owners considering selling, renovating or making other changes to a rental property should understand the applicable requirements before issuing notice.

5. Prepare for the October changes

Further rental reforms take effect on 13 October 2026.

These include strengthened requirements for bond claims. Rental providers will need to notify renters in advance when making a claim at the end of a rental agreement and provide evidence supporting that claim.

Rental providers will also need to keep sufficient records showing that a property met minimum standards when it was advertised or offered for rent.

Gas and electrical safety checks every two years will also become mandatory for all rental properties, regardless of when the rental agreement commenced.

For property owners, this makes record keeping and compliance documentation increasingly important.

Check how your property is being managed
Not every change will require action from every property owner. What matters is knowing which requirements apply to your property and making sure the appropriate processes are in place.

If you are unsure about your responsibilities or how recent rental law changes affect your property, speaking with a Property Management specialist can help you understand what applies to your circumstances.

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