Residential Rental Providers (RRP) must ensure that rental properties meet the standards for each of the 14 categories below on or before the day a renter moves.
Definition of minimum standards
The minimum standards apply to rental agreements that:
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started after 29 March 2021
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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 14 categories. All rental properties must meet the standards for each category.
Locks
The property’s external entry doors must have functioning deadlatches or be fitted with locks that can be unlocked with a key from the outside but can be unlocked without one from the inside.
The property’s external entry doors must have functioning deadlatches or be fitted with locks that can be unlocked with a key from the outside but can be unlocked without one from the inside.
The only cases where a deadlatch doesn’t have to be fitted to a door are when:
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a door cannot be secured with a deadlatch - for example, because of its position
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it is a screen door in the same door frame as an external door
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a different type of lock or device is required under another Act or law
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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
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the property is registered under the Heritage Act 2017 and has an approved exemption from the standard.
Read more about locks and security.
Vermin proof bins
Rental providers must supply a rubbish bin and a recycling bin for the renter to use. The bins can be provided by the local council or purchased elsewhere, as long as they are vermin proof and meet council collection standards.
Rental providers must supply a rubbish bin and a recycling bin for the renter to use. The bins can be provided by the local council or purchased elsewhere, as long as they are vermin proof and meet council collection standards.
Toilets
The property’s toilet must be in good working order and connected to either:
The property’s toilet must be in good working order and connected to either:
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pipes that carry the sewage to a treatment plant (a reticulated sewerage system)
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a wastewater treatment system permitted under the Code of practice – Onsite wastewater management at EPA Victoria
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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.
Bathroom
A rental property’s bathroom must have a washbasin and a shower or bath, and be connected to a reasonable supply of hot and cold water.
A rental property’s bathroom must have a washbasin and a shower or bath, and be connected to a reasonable supply of hot and cold water.
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.
Kitchen
The property must have a kitchen with:
The property must have a kitchen with:
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a dedicated cooking and food preparation area
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a sink in good working order connected to a reasonable supply of hot and cold water
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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.
Laundry
If there is a laundry on the property, it must be connected to a reasonable supply of hot and cold water.
If there is a laundry on the property, it must be connected to a reasonable supply of hot and cold water.
Structural soundness
The property must be structurally sound and weatherproof.
The property must be structurally sound and weatherproof.
Mould and damp
All rooms must be free from mould and damp caused by or related to the building structure.
All rooms must be free from mould and damp caused by or related to the building structure.
Electrical safety
Note: links in this section go to the Standards Australia website.
Note: links in this section go to the Standards Australia website.
From 29 March 2023, all power outlets and lighting circuits in a rental property must be connected to:
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a switchboard type circuit breaker that complies with AS/NZS 3000 for wiring, and
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a switchboard type residual current device that complies with AS/NZS 3190 or AS/NZS 61008.1 or AS/NZS 61009.1.
Window coverings
From 29 March 2022, windows in rooms likely to be used as bedrooms or living areas must be fitted with curtains or blinds that can be closed, block light and provide privacy.
From 29 March 2022, windows in rooms likely to be used as bedrooms or living areas must be fitted with curtains or blinds that can be closed, block light and provide privacy.
Windows
All external windows in a rental property that can be opened must be lockable. They must also be able to be left open or closed. If the window can’t have a lock fitted, it must have a functioning latch to keep it closed.
All external windows in a rental property that can be opened must be lockable. They must also be able to be left open or closed. If the window can’t have a lock fitted, it must have a functioning latch to keep it closed.
Lighting
Inside rooms, corridors and hallways must have access to light to make the areas functional. During the day, natural light can include light borrowed from an adjoining room and at night, renters should have access to artificial light.
Inside rooms, corridors and hallways must have access to light to make the areas functional. During the day, natural light can include light borrowed from an adjoining room and at night, renters should have access to artificial light.
These requirements do not apply if the property is registered under the Heritage Act 2017 and has an approved exemption from the standard.
Ventilation
Rental properties must have adequate ventilation in all rooms including the bathroom, shower, toilet and laundry.
Rental properties must have adequate ventilation in all rooms including the bathroom, shower, toilet and laundry.
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.
Heating
Rental properties must have a fixed heater (not portable) in good working order in the main living area. If a fixed heater has not been installed in the main living area by 29 March 2021, the rental provider must install an energy efficient heater.
Rental properties must have a fixed heater (not portable) in good working order in the main living area. If a fixed heater has not been installed in the main living area by 29 March 2021, the rental provider must install an energy efficient heater.
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:
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a non-ducted air conditioner or heat pump with a 2 star or above energy rating
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a gas space heater with a 2 star or above energy rating
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a ducted heating or hydronic heating system with an outlet in the main living area
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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:
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it would cost more:
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than the average cost of installation
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to meet other Acts or local laws
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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:
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have evidence to show that it is unreasonable, and
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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
