The 15 Rental Minimum Standards Every Victorian Landlord Must Meet — 2026 Guide

Since November 2025, every Victorian rental property must meet all 15 minimum standards before it can even be advertised to tenants. Not before the lease starts. Before the ad goes live.

Most landlords know the standards exist. Very few know all 15 — and fewer still have checked whether their property actually passes.

Here's the complete list, updated for 2026, with what each standard actually requires and what it typically costs to fix if your property falls short.

THE 15 STANDARDS YOUR PROPERTY MUST MEET TODAY

Door locks

Every external entry door must have a deadlock. If your property has a front door, back door, and laundry door that opens to the outside, all three need deadlocks. Knob locks and chain locks don't count.

Typical fix: $150–$250 per door for a locksmith to install a deadlock.

Windows

All openable windows must have working latches and winders. They need to open, close, and lock securely. Broken winders, missing latches, and windows that won't stay open all fail.

Typical fix: $50–$150 per window depending on the mechanism.

Window coverings

Curtains or blinds must be fitted in all bedrooms and living areas. This doesn't include bathrooms, kitchens, or hallways — but any room where someone sleeps or lives needs coverings.

Typical fix: $100–$300 per window for basic roller blinds or curtains.

Blind cord safety

As of December 2025, all corded window coverings must have cord anchor devices fitted. This is a child safety requirement that many landlords still don't know about.

Typical fix: $50–$100 total. Anchor devices are cheap — the issue is knowing they're required.

Smoke alarms

Working smoke alarms with mandatory annual safety checks. This is one of the most commonly checked standards and one of the easiest to fail if batteries haven't been replaced.

Typical fix: $30–$80 per alarm for replacement. Annual checks are a legal requirement.

Electrical safety

Circuit breakers and residual current devices (RCDs) must be installed on all power outlets. This has been required since March 2023 for new tenancies.

Typical fix: $200–$500 for an electrician to install RCDs on your switchboard.

Heating

A fixed heater must be installed in the main living area. If the heater was installed after March 2023, it must be energy efficient — which typically means a reverse-cycle split system, not a gas wall heater.

Typical fix: $2,500+ for a split system installation. This is one of the most expensive minimum standards to address.

Ventilation

The property must meet Building Code of Australia ventilation standards in all habitable rooms. This includes adequate airflow in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundries.

Typical fix: $400+ for exhaust fan installation or replacement.

Lighting

All habitable rooms must have natural light during the day and artificial light at night. Both are required — a room with a window but no light fitting doesn't pass.

Typical fix: $650+ for a full LED lighting upgrade if existing fittings are non-functional.

Structure

The property must be structurally sound, weatherproof, and free from mould. This covers the roof, walls, floors, foundations, and any external structures.

Typical fix: varies significantly. Minor weatherproofing might cost $500. Structural issues can run into tens of thousands.

Bathroom

Must include a basin, shower or bath, and hot and cold water. Showerheads must be minimum 3-star rated (rising to 4-star under 2027 requirements).

Typical fix: $50–$250 for a showerhead replacement. Plumbing issues cost more.

Toilet

A working toilet in a separate room, connected to the sewerage system. Must flush and drain properly.

Typical fix: $150–$500 depending on the issue.

Kitchen

Must have a sink with hot and cold water and a cooktop with at least two burners. Ovens are not required under minimum standards — but a functioning cooktop is.

Typical fix: $300–$800 for cooktop replacement.

Laundry

If laundry facilities are present, they must have hot and cold water connected. This only applies if the property has a laundry — there's no requirement to provide one.

Typical fix: $200–$500 for plumbing if taps aren't connected.

Bins

Vermin-proof rubbish and recycling bins must be supplied by the landlord. They need lids that close properly.

Typical fix: $50–$100 for compliant bins.

WHAT MOST PROPERTIES FAIL ON

Across our assessments of Victorian rental properties, the most common failures are:

Blind cord anchors — the December 2025 change caught most landlords off guard. Very few properties had them before the deadline.

Deadlocks — many older properties have knob locks or latches on back doors that don't meet the standard.

Showerhead ratings — most existing showerheads don't meet even the current 3-star requirement, let alone the 4-star standard coming in 2027.

Electrical safety (RCDs) — properties that haven't had switchboard work since 2023 often don't have RCDs on all circuits.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU'RE NOT COMPLIANT

Since November 2025, a property must meet all 15 standards before it's advertised. If Consumer Affairs Victoria inspects and finds breaches, fines can reach $11,982 per breach.

Tenants can also issue a breach notice and apply to VCAT for a compliance order or rent reduction.

The simplest way to avoid this is to know where you stand. Our Essentials Check ($199) covers all 15 standards in one visit and gives you a photo-documented report within 48 hours showing exactly what passes, what doesn't, and what it'll cost to fix.

WHAT'S COMING NEXT

The current 15 standards are just the beginning. From March 2027, new energy efficiency requirements kick in covering insulation, cooling, hot water, draught-proofing, and showerhead ratings. Our Rental Readiness Report ($495) covers both the current standards and everything coming in 2027 and 2030.

We'll cover the full 2027 requirements in our next post.