Victoria cracks down on rental standards: landlords face fines up to $57,000

The Victorian government is tightening its grip on rental property standards in response to a significant increase in tenant complaints.

This crackdown, led by Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gabrielle Williams, and Consumer Affairs Victoria director, Nicole Rich, reminds landlords of their legal responsibilities to provide safe and functional rental properties.

"Every Victorian renter has the right to live in a safe and secure home," said Minister Williams.

"That's why we introduced the minimum standards in 2021 and established the renting taskforce to address rental law breaches."

Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997, it is illegal to allow a new tenant to move into a property that doesn't meet these minimum standards.

Penalties for non-compliance are severe: individuals can face fines exceeding $11,000, while companies risk fines over $57,000.

Rental providers must ensure safety and functionality

In 2023, Consumer Affairs Victoria reported that complaints about poorly maintained rentals ranked among the top five issues.

This prompted the Victorian government to launch an awareness campaign emphasizing the importance of minimum rental standards.

Alongside this campaign, new regulations ban rental bidding, and a $4 million renting taskforce was created to enforce these laws.

Victoria's rental standards cover 14 categories, including:

• Bathrooms: Properties must have a washbasin, shower or bath, a steady supply of hot and cold water, and a three-star water-efficient showerhead.
• Electrical Safety: Rentals must have modern switchboards with circuit breakers and safety switches.
• Heating: All properties must have a fixed heater in the main living area.
• Kitchen: Every kitchen must have a stove with at least two burners and a sink with hot and cold water.
• Laundry: If provided, it must have hot and cold water.
• Lighting: All rooms, corridors, and hallways must have both natural and artificial light.
• Locks: All external doors must have a functional deadlock.
• Mould and Damp: All rooms must be free from mould and damp caused by the building’s structure.
• Structural Soundness: Properties must be structurally sound and weatherproof.
• Toilets: Toilets must be in good working order, connected to a sewage system, and located in a separate room from the main living areas.
• Ventilation: Habitable rooms must have adequate ventilation.
• Vermin-Proof Bins: Rental providers must supply bins that are rat-proof and suitable for recycling.
• Window Coverings: Bedrooms and living rooms must have light-blocking curtains or blinds.
• Windows: All external windows must have a functioning latch to prevent entry from the outside.

Exemptions and additional standards

There are some exemptions and additional standards for heritage-listed properties, rooming houses, and apartments.

Rental service providers (landlords) are being urged by the government to ensure that their rental properties meet these minimum standards, as failure to do so could lead to significant financial penalties and legal consequences.

The government's focus on rental standards aims to protect tenants' rights and ensure a safe and healthy living environment for tenants.

And while I agree in principle with this, the tables have been turned with legislation now favouring the tenants, but ad Metropole Property Management we protect the interests of our clients, the landlords / rental property providers.

At Metropole, we help you build your wealth by offering the best property management services available because we are a different breed of licensed estate agents.

We do not sell real estate. We lease and manage residential properties throughout Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, concentrating all our resources on ensuring that your specific management needs are fulfilled.

We provide professional property management services for serious investors.

Why not contact us today by clicking here to find out how Metropole Property Management could help you.

About Leanne Jopson Leanne is National Director of Property Management at Metropole and a Property Professional in every sense of the word. With 20 years' experience in real estate, Leanne brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to maximise returns and minimise stress for their clients.