VICTORIAN RENTAL PROPERTY RESOURCES
Understand the essentials before advertising your property, welcoming a renter or planning the next improvement.
Explore the 15 categories ↗Victorian residential rentals · Reviewed 8 October 2026
BEFORE YOU ADVERTISE
Since 25 November 2025, rental properties must meet minimum standards before advertising or being offered for rent, and before a renter moves in.
For existing tenancies, CAV says the standards apply to agreements starting on or after 29 March 2021, or earlier agreements becoming periodic on or after that date. CAV states that these standards do not apply to existing agreements that became periodic before 29 March 2021. Check your tenancy’s circumstances.
15 CATEGORIES / A PRACTICAL OVERVIEW
Use this summary to plan a review. Technical details and exemptions are in CAV’s full guidance and official checklist.
Basin, shower or bath, hot and cold water; normally a 3-star water-efficient showerhead.
Preparation area, working sink and two-burner stovetop; any supplied oven must work.
Hot and cold water connections where a laundry is provided.
A functioning toilet, approved wastewater connection and appropriate separate room.
Working fixed heating in the main living area; energy-efficiency requirements depend on the agreement date.
Appropriate circuit breakers and safety switches; have an electrician assess the switchboard.
External entry doors require suitable functioning locks, subject to specified exceptions.
Rooms must be free of mould and damp linked to the building structure.
The property must be structurally sound and weatherproof.
Adequate ventilation in habitable rooms and bathroom, shower, toilet and laundry areas.
Functional daylight and artificial light at night in rooms and passageways.
Suitable rubbish and recycling bins that meet council collection requirements.
Openable external windows need working security latches and usable open/closed positions.
Living and sleeping rooms need closable curtains or blinds for privacy and light blocking.
Secure internal blind and curtain cords to prevent loose loops.
Review each category against CAV’s requirements before proceeding.
The grouping above is for browsing; all 15 categories come from CAV’s minimum standards ↗. For example, apartment heating and heritage properties can have specific exceptions—confirm these and keep supporting evidence.
PLAN AHEAD
CAV has announced that rental providers and agents must retain records showing minimum-standards compliance before advertising, offering the property or move-in, and provide them to CAV on request.
From the same date, two-year gas and electrical checks extend to all rental agreements. A gas ventilation check within the preceding six months is required before draughtproofing work.
Read CAV’s announced changes ↗Heating, cooling, hot water, showerheads, ceiling insulation and draughtproofing have different start dates and triggers. This is a phased program, so check each requirement for your property.
Examples: heating and hot water efficiency upgrades are triggered when existing systems fail beyond repair. Cooling requirements apply at relevant new or periodic agreements, or irreparable system failure from March 2027; all rentals must meet the cooling standard from July 2030, subject to applicable exemptions.
Check dates, triggers & exemptions ↗IF SOMETHING FALLS SHORT
Arrange the work needed before advertising or move-in. A safety inspection report alone does not establish that every minimum standard is met.
If a property falls below applicable standards during a tenancy, renters can request urgent repairs. If a signed property does not comply before move-in, a renter may end the agreement without fees by notifying the rental provider, or move in and seek urgent repairs.
Failure to meet standards can lead to penalties and VCAT orders. Record the issue, arrange appropriate repairs and retain completion evidence.
CAV: rights and responsibilities ↗PREPARE WITH AUSKY
Bring together the property details, tenancy dates, photographs, previous reports and any known issues.
Discuss the gaps, trades required, quotes and timing with your property manager. Confirm technical requirements with qualified providers.
Retain reports, invoices, completion photographs and any evidence supporting an exemption. Review the file before the next advertising or tenancy milestone.
YOUR INVESTMENT. OUR ATTENTION.
Talk to Ausky about property management and planning a standards review.
Related: gas, electrical & smoke alarm safety checks ↗ · Landlord insurance ↗
General information for Victorian residential rentals, reviewed 8 October 2026. Rooming houses have separate standards. This page is an overview, not a compliance certificate or personal legal advice. Use CAV’s full guidance, applicable regulations and qualified tradespeople for your property’s circumstances.