Updated 4 November 2026
From 1 July 2027, a Victorian rental let under a new agreement must have fixed seals around the entire perimeter of every external door and window, and every unsealed wall vent closed, under Schedule 4 clause 18 of the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021. Consumer Affairs Victoria says the standard also applies when a current agreement converts to month-to-month, and that door snakes do not count. If the property has gas appliances, a licensed gasfitter must complete a gas safety check less than six months before the draughtproofing is finished. A renter whose agreement carries on unchanged triggers nothing. The time to do it is between renters, timed with your two-yearly gas check, before you advertise the next lease after June 2027.
When does the draughtproofing standard start for Victorian rentals?
The clause applies to rented premises let under a residential rental agreement "entered into or created on or after 1 July 2027". It is not a calendar date that catches every rental at once. It is triggered by the next agreement.
Consumer Affairs Victoria's guide for rental providers (updated September 2026) gives the two triggers: a new rental agreement, or an existing agreement converting to month-to-month. That second one catches people out. A fixed term that ends after 1 July 2027 and rolls over creates a new periodic agreement, and the standard then applies.
| Situation | Does the standard apply? |
|---|---|
| New renter, agreement signed on or after 1 July 2027 | Yes |
| Current renter signs a new fixed term on or after 1 July 2027 | Yes |
| Fixed term ends after 1 July 2027 and converts to month-to-month | Yes, according to Consumer Affairs Victoria |
| Agreement already running before 1 July 2027 and carries on unchanged | Not yet. It applies at the next agreement |
There is a practical catch. Consumer Affairs Victoria says that since 25 November 2025 the minimum standards must be met when a property is advertised, not only on move-in day. In practice, the seals need to be in before the listing goes up.
What does the draughtproofing standard require?
Clause 18 sets out three things, and the same terms apply to the kitchen:
- External doors and windows fitted with sealing or weather-stripping products that restrict airflow around the entire perimeter, without stopping the door or window working normally.
- Unsealed wall vents fitted with "a product made of robust non-shrinking sealing material that seals or closes the vent".
- Fitted to the manufacturer's instructions. A seal stuck on badly does not meet the clause, even if it is the right product.
| Item | What meets the standard | What doesn't |
|---|---|---|
| External doors | Fixed seals on the sides and head, plus a fixed door-bottom seal, with the door still closing and latching properly | Door snakes, which Consumer Affairs Victoria names as not meeting the standard |
| External windows | Fixed seals around the full perimeter of each opening sash, with the window still opening and locking | Seals on part of the frame only; anything that jams the window |
| Wall vents | A robust, non-shrinking product that seals or closes the vent | Tape, paper, or a material that shrinks or perishes |
The clause does not mention exhaust fans, chimneys or downlights. Sealing them can make a home more comfortable, but it isn't required for this standard.
Do I need a gas safety check before draughtproofing a rental?
Yes, if the property has any gas appliances. Consumer Affairs Victoria says a licensed gasfitter must carry out a gas safety check before draughtproofing starts, the check must be less than six months old when the draughtproofing is completed, and the gasfitter decides whether the work can go ahead and which areas are safe to seal.
The reason is simple. A gas heater that draws air from the room needs that air. Seal the room and the appliance can produce carbon monoxide.
Since 13 October 2026, a gas safety check every two years is required for every Victorian rental with gas, regardless of when the agreement started. If you time the draughtproofing inside six months of that routine check, one check covers both and you don't pay twice.
If the gasfitter finds an open-flued or flueless gas heater, the draughtproofing doesn't go ahead. That's a job we lose, and it's the right call.
Which rentals are exempt from draughtproofing?
Clause 18 says the standard does not apply where:
- a flueless space heater or open-flued gas appliance is installed;
- the property is in a Class 2 building (an apartment block) and the owners corporation rules prohibit seals on external doors;
- the property is on the heritage register and a permit to make the changes has been refused; or
- it is otherwise unreasonable to draughtproof the property.
For the kitchen there is one more: a flueless gas cooktop or oven with no rangehood. "Otherwise unreasonable" is not defined, so don't rely on it without advice. An old window that is hard to seal is not the same thing as an unreasonable one.
How much does draughtproofing a rental cost?
For most Melbourne units and houses it is a few hundred dollars, not thousands. The products are inexpensive. What you are paying for is fitting them so every door and window still works, and doing the whole property rather than the obvious gaps. Period timber sash windows are quoted separately, as they need a different approach.
| Safehaus draught sealing | Price |
|---|---|
| External window: fixed seal around the full perimeter of the opening sash | $44 |
| External door: perimeter seal plus a screw-fixed bottom seal | $79 |
| Unsealed wall vent: robust, non-shrinking closure fitted over the vent | $49 |
| Pipe and cable penetrations, thermal check, testing and dated photos | Included |
A typical unit with 2 doors and 6 windows comes to about $420; a typical house with 3 doors and 10 windows about $680. Minimum visit $149. The gas safety check is done by a licensed gasfitter, who quotes and invoices you directly. Consumer Affairs Victoria notes that Victorian Energy Upgrades discounts may be available for some upgrades under the new standards, subject to eligibility.
Should I draughtproof my rental now or wait until 2027?
Legally, nothing is due until your next agreement on or after 1 July 2027. Practically, the best time is the first changeover between renters before then. The property is empty, there is no entry notice to give, and you can line it up with the gas check.
It also helps with records. Since 13 October 2026, rental providers must keep records showing the property met the minimum standards. Dated completion photographs of every sealed door, window and vent can form part of those records.
And the renter feels it. A sealed home holds its heat, which is the point of the standard.
Every external door, window and wall vent sealed, in one visit
$44 a window · $79 a door · $49 a wall vent
Fixed seals fitted to the manufacturer's instructions, each door and window checked that it still opens, closes and locks, and dated completion photographs for your file. Each job includes a thermal check of the treated areas before and after, which shows relative temperature difference only and is not a certified energy assessment. Serving Melbourne's eastern suburbs and inner city.
Book draught sealing Call 0451 177 610Frequently asked questions
When does draughtproofing become mandatory for Victorian rentals?
From 1 July 2027, for rental agreements entered into or created on or after that date, including when a current agreement converts to month-to-month. An agreement that carries on unchanged does not trigger it.
Do door snakes meet the Victorian draughtproofing standard?
No. Consumer Affairs Victoria says door snakes do not meet the standard. Seals must be fixed around the entire perimeter of each external door and window and fitted to the manufacturer's instructions.
Do I need a gas safety check before draughtproofing my rental?
Yes, if the property has gas appliances. A licensed gasfitter must complete a gas safety check less than six months before the draughtproofing is finished, and decides whether the work can go ahead.
Are wall vents included in the draughtproofing standard?
Yes. Unsealed wall vents must be fitted with a robust, non-shrinking sealing product that seals or closes the vent.
Which Victorian rentals are exempt from draughtproofing?
Properties with a flueless space heater or open-flued gas appliance, Class 2 apartments where owners corporation rules prohibit seals on external doors, heritage-registered places where a permit has been refused, and properties where draughtproofing is otherwise unreasonable.
Sources
- Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021 (Vic), Schedule 4 clause 18, authorised consolidation as at 30 June 2026 — the standard, its 1 July 2027 trigger and the exemptions. legislation.vic.gov.au
- Consumer Affairs Victoria, Minimum energy efficiency standards: Draughtproofing standard, page updated 1 June 2026 — the gas safety check rule and the month-to-month trigger. consumer.vic.gov.au
- Consumer Affairs Victoria, Rental minimum energy efficiency standards: a guide for rental providers, updated September 2026 — door snakes excluded, the gasfitter's role, Victorian Energy Upgrades. consumer.vic.gov.au (PDF)
- Consumer Affairs Victoria, New changes to rental laws — standards met at advertising from 25 November 2025; records and two-yearly gas checks for all rentals from 13 October 2026. consumer.vic.gov.au
This article explains the standard as published on the date above. It is general information, not legal advice. Whether a particular agreement triggers the standard, or an exemption applies, is for the rental provider and their adviser. See also our guide to Victoria's rental minimum standards.
