The 15 minimum rental standards in Victoria
Last updated 11 September 2026 · General information, not legal advice
A plain-English run through the 15 minimum standards a Victorian rental property must meet before it is advertised, what each one covers, and the records you now have to keep.
The 15 categories
Each category has to be met, and from 13 October 2026 you must be able to show it was met when you advertised. A dated photo or certificate per category is the simplest evidence.
| Standard | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Structural soundness | The property is structurally sound and weatherproof. |
| Electrical safety | Modern switchboard with circuit breakers and a residual current device (safety switch). |
| Heating | A fixed heater in the main living area, energy-efficient where required. |
| Kitchen | A dedicated kitchen area with a sink, cooktop and food-preparation space. |
| Bathrooms | A working washbasin, and a bath or shower connected to hot and cold water. |
| Toilets | A working toilet connected to a sewerage or septic system. |
| Laundry | Where laundry facilities exist, connections for a washing machine. |
| Lighting | Adequate natural or artificial light in each habitable room. |
| Ventilation | Adequate ventilation in habitable rooms, bathrooms and the kitchen. |
| Mould and damp | Habitable rooms are free of mould and damp caused by the building. |
| Locks | External entry doors have functioning deadlocks (with limited exceptions). |
| Windows | Windows that can open are openable, and can be secured closed. |
| Window coverings | Privacy coverings in rooms likely to be used as bedrooms or living areas. |
| Window covering anchors | From 1 December 2025, corded internal coverings have anchors to secure the cords. |
| Vermin-proof bins | Rubbish and recycling bins that are vermin-proof, where the provider supplies them. |
Descriptions above are a plain-language summary. The precise wording lives in Schedule 4 of the Regulations; confirm the detail for a specific property with Consumer Affairs Victoria.
When they apply, and the record you keep
The standards themselves have had to be met before a property is advertised since 25 November 2025. What is new from 13 October 2026 is the duty to keep records proving they were met at that moment. Meeting the standards is not new; being able to prove it, on the day you advertised, is.
There is a narrow exemption: the standards do not apply where a rental agreement became periodic before 29 March 2021.
Common questions
How many minimum standards are there in Victoria?
There are 15 categories of minimum standards, prescribed in Schedule 4 of the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021. A rental property must meet the standard for every category.
When does a property have to meet the minimum standards?
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.
Do I have to keep records that the standards were met?
Yes. From 13 October 2026 a rental provider must keep sufficient records to demonstrate the property met the minimum standards when it was advertised. No retention period is specified, so keeping the evidence for the life of the tenancy and beyond is the safe practice.
What is the newest minimum standard?
Window covering anchors. From 1 December 2025, all corded internal window coverings must have an anchor installed to secure the cords and prevent loops.
What is the penalty for advertising a property that does not comply?
Advertising or offering premises that do not meet the minimum standards is an offence under section 65B of the Act, with a maximum of 60 penalty units for an individual ($12,546 for the year from 1 July 2026) and 300 penalty units ($62,730) for a company. Penalty units change each 1 July.
This page is general information about Victorian rental law, not legal advice. Penalty amounts change each 1 July. Confirm your obligations, the dates and the current figures with Consumer Affairs Victoria or your own adviser.
Keep the proof, before you advertise.
Senly Rent tracks every check and all 15 minimum standards, and holds the dated evidence for each. Free while we launch.
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