Summary of New Rental Rules in Victoria – Effective from 25 November 2025
Victoria’s rental reforms officially came into effect on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, introducing significant changes to make renting fairer, safer, and more secure.
These updates are meant to strengthen renters’ rights, improve housing standards, and provide landlords with clearer obligations. Key measures include banning no-fault evictions, extending notice periods and enforcing strict safety and privacy standards. Additional reforms in 2026 will further streamline rental applications and protect tenant rights. Whether you are a property manager- real estate agent, renter or a property owner, understanding these changes is essential for compliance and informed decision-making.
Major Changes Effective 25 November 2025
1. Ban on no-fault evictions
- Rental providers can no longer issue a notice to vacate without a valid reason, even at the end of a fixed-term lease.
- When a fixed-term lease ends, it automatically converts to a month-to-month agreement unless:
- Both parties agree to a new fixed-term lease, or
- A valid notice to vacate is issued (e.g., property sale, renovations, or renter breach such as unpaid rent).
2. Extended notice periods
- Rent increases: Providers must give 90 days’ notice before increasing rent, previously this was 60 days.
- Shorter notice periods will still apply if the renter is at fault.
3. Ban on rental bidding
- Agents and providers cannot:
- Accept offers above the advertised rent.
- Accept more than one month’s rent in advance.
- Previous law prohibiting soliciting higher offers, this new law builds onto that one.
4. Minimum standards at advertising
- Properties must meet minimum standards before being advertised, not just before move-in.
- Advertising non-compliant properties is an offence.
- Here link to minimum standards
5. Mandatory annual smoke alarm checks
- Providers and agents must arrange annual smoke alarm safety checks for all rental properties, regardless of when the agreement started.
6. Protection of renters’ personal information
- Providers and agents must:
- Safeguard personal data from misuse.
- Follow rules for destruction and de-identification of application data.
- Avoid disclosing information without consent (offence if breached).
New Minimum Standards Effective 1 December 2025
- Blind cord safety anchors: All internal window coverings must have secured cords to prevent loops.
- Rooming houses: Each resident’s room must have a fixed heater secured to a wall, floor, or ceiling.
Further Reforms Effective 31 March 2026
- Standard rental application form: Mandatory use of a prescribed form for applications.
- Limits on requested information: Providers can only ask for details necessary to assess suitability, identity, and ability to pay rent.
- Ban on third-party fees: Only providers, agents, and banks can charge fees for applications or rent payments. Third-party businesses cannot charge renters directly.
- Rent increase investigations: Consumer Affairs Victoria and VCAT can consider additional factors when assessing if a rent increase is excessive.
What this means for you:
- Renters: More security, fairer rent processes, safer homes and stronger privacy protections.
- Rental providers: Clearer compliance requirements, including safety checks and advertising standards
Stay informed and ready for Victoria’s new rental laws, reach out to Michael Fetter, head of Tisher Liner FC Law Commercial Team which includes our Real Estate Law experts at TLFC today.
