Frequently asked questions

There are 15 categories of minimum standards a rental property must meet: bathrooms, electrical safety, heating, kitchen, laundry, lighting, locks, mould and damp, structural soundness, toilets, ventilation, vermin-proof bins, windows, window coverings, and window covering anchors. They are prescribed in Schedule 4 of the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021.

On 13 October 2026. Three duties commence: keeping records that prove a property met the minimum standards when it was advertised; the two-yearly gas and electrical safety checks applying to every rental property (not just newer agreements); and giving renters advance notice and evidence before a bond claim.

No. Since 25 November 2025, a property must meet all 15 minimum standards before it is advertised or offered for rent, and again before the renter moves in.

Every two years. A gas safety check must be carried out by a licensed or registered gasfitter, and an electrical safety check by a licensed electrician (a Registered Electrical Contractor with Energy Safe Victoria).

Yes. Rental providers and agents must arrange annual smoke-alarm testing and cleaning for every rental agreement, with batteries replaced as needed.

Advertising or offering premises that do not meet the minimum standards is an offence under section 65B of the Act. The maximum is 60 penalty units for an individual, $12,546 for the year from 1 July 2026, and 300 penalty units ($62,730) for a company. The penalty-unit value changes each 1 July, so confirm the current figure with Consumer Affairs Victoria.

From 13 October 2026 the two-yearly gas and electrical safety checks apply to every rental property, regardless of when the agreement started. The minimum standards apply too, except where an agreement became periodic before 29 March 2021.

A record of a gas or electrical safety check must be kept until a record of the next check is created (Regulation 30). The 2026 record-keeping duty for minimum standards does not specify a retention period, so keeping the evidence for the life of the tenancy and beyond is the safe practice.

Before entering an agreement, the rental provider must disclose the date of the last gas and electrical safety checks and any outstanding recommendations. A copy of the most recent check must be provided to the renter within seven days of a written request.

No. Senly Rent is a record-keeping tool: it tracks what is due and holds the dated proof each obligation was met. It does not provide legal advice. Confirm your obligations with Consumer Affairs Victoria or your own adviser.