Got Questions?
Straight Answers
Everything you need to know about how Safehaus works, what it costs, and what you'll receive.
Section 1 — The big ones.
What most people ask first.
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A photo-documented report covering every one of Victoria's 15 current rental minimum standards, plus a full assessment of the 2027 and 2030 energy efficiency requirements. Each finding is photographed, categorised by urgency, and includes a cost estimate and rebate eligibility. You'll know exactly what your property needs, what it'll cost, and what order to tackle it in. Delivered within 48 hours of inspection.
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No. We don't sell, install, or quote for any works. That's the whole point — your report is independent and conflict-free. We assess and document. You decide what to do with the information. We do have a network of trusted trades across Melbourne and are happy to pass on their details — but we don't receive commissions from trades, and who you use is entirely your decision.
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A building inspection checks whether the structure is sound. We check whether the property meets Victoria's rental compliance standards and what it'll cost to meet the 2027 energy requirements. A property can pass its building inspection and still need $5,000–$20,000 in mandatory compliance upgrades. We catch what building inspectors aren't looking for.
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Most providers check either current minimum standards or safety items like gas and electrical. We cover all 15 current standards plus the 2027 and 2030 energy readiness requirements in one visit. We also don't sell trades, install equipment, or upsell ongoing services. Your report is genuinely independent.
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If your report doesn't identify clear, actionable findings, we'll refund your assessment fee in full. Refund requests must be made within 14 days of report delivery.
Section 2 — How it works.
The assessment process.
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60–90 minutes on site, depending on the property size and complexity. Apartments and strata properties are typically at the longer end.
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Usually within 48–72 hours of booking. We understand that purchase timelines and lease renewals don't wait.
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No. We can coordinate access with you, your property manager, your agent, or your tenant directly.
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Every assessment follows the same SafetyCulture inspection framework. We check door locks, windows, window coverings, blind cord safety, bathroom, toilet, kitchen, laundry, heating, ventilation, lighting, electrical safety, structure, bins, and smoke alarms. For the Rental Readiness Report, we also assess heating efficiency, hot water type, cooling, insulation, draught-proofing, and showerhead ratings against the 2027 and 2030 requirements.
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Within 48 hours of the inspection. Photo-documented, with cost estimates and rebate eligibility for every finding.
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That's up to you. The report gives you a clear priority system — Fix Now, Before Next Lease, Before 2027, Before 2030 — so you can plan works on your timeline and budget. We can refer you to trades if needed, but there's no obligation and no follow-up sales calls from us.
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Yes. We inspect tenanted properties regularly. You or your property manager need to give the tenant reasonable notice as required under the Residential Tenancies Act. We're respectful of the tenant's space, work efficiently, and don't disrupt their day more than necessary. Most tenants are happy to cooperate once they understand it's a compliance check, not a sales visit.
Section 3 — Pricing.
Costs, discounts, and rebates.
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Three options depending on what you need:
Essentials Check — $195 inc GST. Covers all 15 current minimum standards only. Ideal if you just need to know whether your property is compliant today. Does not include 2027/2030 energy readiness.
Rental Readiness Report — $495 inc GST. Covers everything in the Essentials Check plus full 2027 and 2030 energy readiness assessment, upgrade cost estimates, VEU rebate eligibility, and a prioritised action plan.
Portfolio — $395 per property for 3 or more properties. Same Rental Readiness Report with a portfolio summary showing which properties to address first.
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Apartments involve additional assessment work that houses don't — owners corporation rules around external installations, shared ceiling spaces that affect insulation options, switchboard capacity in common areas, heritage overlays, and determining what's your responsibility versus the owners corporation's. It takes longer on site and requires more research. These are also the properties where the most expensive compliance surprises tend to hide.
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Yes. Three or more properties are $395 each, with a portfolio summary that ranks your properties by urgency so you know where to spend first.
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The Victorian Energy Upgrades program provides rebates for energy efficiency improvements — insulation, efficient heating, and hot water upgrades. Many landlords are eligible for $1,000–$5,000+ in rebates and don't know about it. We identify what you're eligible for in the report so you can claim before the deadlines hit and rebate conditions change.
Section 4 — Buying a property?
For investors and their advisors.
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During the due diligence period, alongside your building and pest inspection. The timeline works the same way — we attend, inspect, and deliver the report before your cooling-off period expires. We can usually attend within 48–72 hours of booking.
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Yes. Many of our assessments are referred by buyers agents and conveyancers. They can book on your behalf or send you our booking link directly. We coordinate access and handle the process from there.
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That's the point. If the property needs $15,000 in compliance works, you want to know that before settlement — not after. You can renegotiate the purchase price, factor the works into your budget, or walk away. The report gives you the information to make that call with confidence.
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Yes. Compliance gaps are rarely visible during a standard open inspection. Insulation levels, showerhead star ratings, switchboard capacity, blind cord compliance, and heating efficiency don't show up to the naked eye. Most of the properties we assess look fine on the surface.
Section 5 — Current landlords.
For property owners.
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Property managers are under enormous time pressure and most aren't tracking the 2027 energy standards in detail. Our report gives you independent verification and a documented baseline. If your PM is right, the report confirms it. If they've missed something, you find out now — not when Consumer Affairs does.
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The report still adds value. It gives you the complete picture — not just the items you already know about — with accurate cost estimates, rebate eligibility, and a prioritised timeline. That's better to plan and budget with than assumptions.
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The Essentials Check ($195) covers the 15 current minimum standards only — it tells you whether your property is compliant today. The Rental Readiness Report ($495) covers everything in the Essentials plus the 2027 and 2030 energy efficiency requirements, upgrade cost estimates, and VEU rebate eligibility. If you're planning to hold the property beyond 2027, the Rental Readiness Report is the better investment.
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You or your property manager should give the tenant reasonable notice of the inspection, as you would for any property visit. We're respectful of the tenant's space and typically finish within 60–90 minutes.
Section 6 — Trust and credentials.
About Safehaus.
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Yes. Safehaus carries Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance appropriate to the scope of services provided.
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Every assessment is conducted using the same inspection framework.
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Safehaus provides visual compliance assessments and documentation — not trade work, testing, or certification. Our inspections follow a structured framework built from direct portfolio management experience and are backed by Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance. For electrical testing, gas safety checks, or formal certification, we can refer you to licensed specialists.
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Your report and property information are stored securely and only shared with you. We don't share your details with trades, marketers, or third parties unless you specifically ask us to.
Still have a question?
Book in a chat with us — or schedule your assessment below.