Victoria Rental Laws October 2026: Landlord Checks for Bonds, Fees and Safety Compliance

Victoria rental laws changed on 13 October 2026. Melbourne landlords now need to check bond-claim evidence, application and rent-payment fees, rental minimum standards records, and two-yearly gas and electrical safety checks—including older rental agreements.

This practical compliance guide separates the changes now in force from earlier rules on rent increases and future energy-efficiency standards. It explains the evidence to keep before advertising, during a tenancy and when claiming a bond.

For tenants, the reforms mean greater transparency and stronger protections against unsupported charges.

For Melbourne landlords — particularly smaller investors managing one or two properties — they introduce additional record-keeping, maintenance and administrative responsibilities.

However, not every rule being discussed is new. Victoria's ban on no-fault evictions and its 90-day rent-increase notice requirement already came into effect in November 2025.

Here is what landlords and renters should check now, with the rules verified against Consumer Affairs Victoria’s current guidance as at 19 October 2026.

Victoria rental laws: what is now in force from 13 October 2026?

Consumer Affairs Victoria’s rental law update explains the October reforms.

Keep these five changes on your review list: stronger notice and evidence for bond claims; no rental application or rent-payment fees; minimum-standards compliance records; gas and electrical checks covering older agreements; and the relevant gas safety assessment before draughtproofing.

These requirements build on earlier rental reforms designed to improve housing security, transparency and safety across Victoria.

1. New Bond Claim Rules: Landlords Must Provide Evidence

One of the most important changes concerns rental bonds.

Previously, disagreements over cleaning, property damage and maintenance costs could lead to lengthy disputes between renters and landlords.

From 13 October 2026, rental providers must notify tenants in advance if they intend to claim money from their bond and provide supporting evidence.

This strengthens transparency at the end of a tenancy.

What Does This Mean for Renters?

Suppose a renter moves out of a Melbourne apartment after a 12-month tenancy.

The landlord claims $650 for cleaning and $400 for damage.

Under the strengthened requirements, the landlord must support the claim rather than simply demand payment.

Relevant evidence may include dated photographs, entry and exit condition reports, invoices and quotations.

Importantly, tenants are generally not responsible for fair wear and tear arising from normal use of a property.

For example, ordinary carpet wear and gradual paint deterioration are different from damage caused by negligence.

What Must Landlords Do?

Landlords and managing agents should establish a clear end-of-tenancy procedure, including documented inspections, comparisons with the original condition report, supporting repair invoices and written communication about proposed deductions.

The new evidence requirements do not remove a landlord's right to seek compensation for legitimate damage or other recoverable costs.

They make it more important to justify the amount being claimed.

If a disagreement cannot be resolved, renters and landlords can use the established bond dispute processes through the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA), Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV) and, where appropriate, VCAT.

Read Consumer Affairs Victoria's bond claims and refunds guidance.

2. Rental application and rent-payment fees are banned

Since 13 October 2026, rental providers and real estate agents cannot charge renters fees for rental applications or rent payments. Normal lawful rent and bond payments remain separate obligations; a ban on processing fees does not cancel them.

This closes an important distinction in the previous reforms.

The October prohibition for rental providers and agents builds on the earlier restrictions applying to third-party rental application and rent-payment platforms from 31 March 2026.

What Charges Are Not Allowed?

Do not add application-processing, assessment or mandatory administration charges to an application, or fees for making a rent payment. Review both the application workflow and the payment arrangements, including third-party platforms.

This does not mean ordinary rental bonds and lawful rent payments disappear. Those remain separate from application fees.

What If a Rental Platform Requires Payment?

Renters should ask the property manager why payment is required and whether a fee-free application process is available.

A renter should not have to purchase a platform subscription or pay an application-processing charge to be considered for a property.

For landlords, the lesson is straightforward: check that any leasing software, application platform and internal workflow complies with the applicable rules.

3. New Rental Application Forms: What Landlords Can and Cannot Ask

Victoria introduced a prescribed rental application form on 31 March 2026.

Landlords and property managers must use the prescribed form and can only request information permitted under the application rules.

The aim is to reduce unnecessary data collection and create a more consistent experience for prospective tenants.

What Can Landlords Ask?

The permitted application process can include information relevant to confirming identity, rental suitability and the applicant's capacity to pay the advertised rent.

Depending on the prescribed form, that may include employment details, income information, references and relevant rental history.

What Can't Landlords Ask?

Landlords and agents cannot demand information outside the permitted application requirements or use personal information for unrelated purposes.

They must also comply with rules protecting applicants' personal information.

For example, application information should not be collected or retained indefinitely simply because an applicant expressed interest in a property.

Renters concerned about excessive requests can refer to Consumer Affairs Victoria's rental application guidance.

What Happens After You Submit a Rental Application?

Submitting an application does not guarantee approval, and the prescribed application form does not establish an automatic approval deadline.

If an agent says an application looks promising but the renter has not received confirmation, the renter should request a written update.

Until the tenancy has been properly agreed and documented, applicants should avoid assuming that informal encouragement means they have secured the property.

For landlords, prompt and consistent communication can reduce applicant uncertainty and prevent otherwise suitable renters from moving on to competing properties.

4. Gas and Electrical Safety Checks: What Changes for Older Rental Properties?

Gas and electrical safety checks are not entirely new in Victoria.

Since March 2021, two-yearly checks have applied to many residential rental agreements. However, some older agreements were not covered by the same mandatory requirements.

Since 13 October 2026, the two-yearly safety-check requirements cover all residential rental agreements, including those that began before 29 March 2021. Gas checks apply where the property has gas appliances, fixtures or fittings.

This is particularly important for long-term landlords whose tenants have occupied the same property for several years.

Gas Safety Checks

Where relevant gas appliances, fixtures or fittings are installed, landlords must arrange the required gas safety inspection by an appropriately licensed or registered gasfitter.

Inspections can include checking gas appliances, connections, ventilation, flues and potential carbon monoxide hazards.

Electrical Safety Checks

Rental properties must also undergo required electrical safety checks by a licensed electrician at least every two years.

These checks cover electrical installations and fittings, including relevant safety devices and wiring.

What should landlords check now?

Property owners should review when their most recent gas and electrical inspections were completed and whether the reports meet the applicable requirements.

They should also maintain records of any defects identified and the repairs undertaken.

Compliant checks that are still current do not need to be duplicated just because the rules now cover older agreements. Confirm the report dates, scope, qualified tradespeople and any unresolved defects; arrange missing or overdue checks promptly.

See Consumer Affairs Victoria's gas and electrical safety guidance.

5. Minimum Rental Standards: Landlords Must Now Keep Proof

Another significant change concerns compliance records.

Victorian rental properties have already been required to meet minimum rental standards before being advertised or offered for rent.

From 13 October 2026, rental providers must also retain sufficient records demonstrating that the property complied at the required time.

This is an important distinction.

Having a compliant property and being able to demonstrate compliance are now both essential parts of a landlord's responsibilities.

What Records Should Landlords Keep?

Depending on the property and its circumstances, useful evidence may include:

Dated minimum standards inspection reports.

Photographs documenting compliant fixtures and fittings.

Gas, electrical and smoke alarm safety records.

Repairs and maintenance invoices.

Heating and ventilation documentation.

Records confirming that required improvements were completed before advertising.

Landlords must be able to supply relevant compliance records when requested by Consumer Affairs Victoria.

Why This Matters for Melbourne Apartments

Landlords with apartments in the Melbourne CBD, Docklands and Southbank may assume a relatively modern building automatically meets every rental minimum standard.

However, individual apartments can still have compliance issues involving heating, window coverings, ventilation, electrical installations or other required features.

Owners corporation maintenance and building-wide services also do not necessarily satisfy every obligation applying to the individual rental provider.

A documented minimum standards inspection before advertising can help identify problems before they affect tenants or delay a leasing campaign.

For the full requirements, see Consumer Affairs Victoria's rental minimum standards guidance.

6. Rent Increases: Why Landlords Must Give 90 Days' Notice

Although widely discussed alongside the October reforms, Victoria's 90-day rent-increase notice requirement has already been in effect since 25 November 2025.

Landlords generally must give renters at least 90 days' notice using the prescribed notice process before increasing rent.

Rent increases are generally limited to once every 12 months.

For fixed-term agreements, rent can only increase during the fixed term if the agreement permits it and specifies how the increase will be calculated.

Can Landlords Increase Rent by Any Amount?

Victoria does not impose a general fixed percentage cap on rent increases.

However, renters can challenge a proposed increase they believe is excessive compared with the relevant market.

For example, if a Melbourne apartment currently rents for $600 per week and the landlord proposes $700, a 90-day notice alone does not establish that $700 is a reasonable market rent.

Relevant comparable rental evidence and the property's circumstances remain important.

This creates two practical responsibilities: landlords should support proposed increases with appropriate market evidence, while renters should examine comparable properties before deciding whether to challenge a notice.

Read Consumer Affairs Victoria's rent increase rules.

7. No-Fault Evictions: Can a Landlord Still Ask a Tenant to Leave?

Victoria's ban on no-fault evictions also commenced on 25 November 2025.

Landlords can no longer end a residential tenancy simply because a fixed-term rental agreement has expired.

A valid legal reason is required.

However, the reform does not mean tenants can never be required to leave.

Depending on the circumstances and the applicable legal requirements, valid grounds can include the sale of a property, certain renovation or occupation circumstances, and serious breaches of the rental agreement.

Some grounds require supporting evidence, and notice periods vary according to the reason.

For landlords, this makes accurate documentation and appropriate notice procedures particularly important.

A property manager should not assume that the end of a 12-month lease automatically allows the landlord to regain possession.

Read Consumer Affairs Victoria's notice to vacate guidance.

8. What About the New Energy Efficiency Rules Coming in 2027?

Landlords should also prepare for the next stage of Victoria's rental reforms.

New minimum energy efficiency standards will begin to be introduced in phases from 1 March 2027.

Depending on the property, relevant requirements may concern heating, cooling, hot water, showerheads, ceiling insulation and draughtproofing.

The commencement dates and circumstances that trigger compliance differ between measures.

Gas Safety Before Draughtproofing

From 13 October 2026, a relevant gas ventilation safety check must be completed by an appropriately qualified gasfitter within the six months before draughtproofing work.

This is important because sealing gaps in a property containing certain gas appliances can create ventilation risks.

Landlords planning renovations or efficiency upgrades should therefore coordinate gas safety assessments before commencing relevant draughtproofing work.

Owners of properties requiring other alterations, including accessibility changes, may also benefit from specialist advice. Providers such as Mobility Access Modifications can assist with accessibility-related improvements, which should be planned alongside other applicable building and tenancy obligations.

See Consumer Affairs Victoria's upcoming energy efficiency requirements.

9. The October 2026 Rental Law Compliance Checklist for Landlords

For smaller property investors, the challenge is often not understanding a single rule but keeping track of multiple obligations across the life of a tenancy.

The following checklist can help landlords review their compliance arrangements.

Landlord compliance review

Before advertising

• Confirm the property meets Victorian minimum rental standards
• Keep dated compliance inspection records and supporting evidence
• Review gas, electrical and smoke alarm safety records
• Confirm the advertisement complies with rental pricing rules

During applications and leasing

• Use the prescribed rental application form
• Confirm renters are not charged rental application or rent-payment fees
• Check application and payment platforms for compliance
• Protect applicant information and follow retention rules

During the tenancy

• Schedule electrical checks every two years, and gas checks where gas appliances, fixtures or fittings are installed
• Arrange annual smoke alarm checks
• Provide compliant rent increase notices with at least 90 days' notice
• Maintain repair, inspection and safety documentation

At the end of the tenancy

• Use entry and exit condition reports when assessing damage
• Notify the renter and provide supporting evidence for proposed bond claims
• Follow RTBA and dispute resolution procedures
• Use valid grounds and required notice procedures when ending a tenancy

This checklist is a general administrative guide, not a complete legislative compliance assessment.

10. Why Professional Property Management Matters More Under the New Rules

For Melbourne landlords managing one investment property, rental compliance can quickly become more complicated than simply collecting rent and arranging repairs.

Owners now need reliable systems for tracking safety inspections, retaining evidence, managing rental applications, supporting bond claims and issuing legally compliant notices.

Missing documentation can create disputes, while overlooking statutory obligations may expose landlords and agents to enforcement action.

A well-organised property management service can help owners reduce these risks by maintaining consistent processes throughout a tenancy.

How Forge Real Estate Can Help

At Forge Real Estate, our property management team supports landlords across Melbourne, including the CBD, Docklands, Southbank and surrounding suburbs.

Our services can assist with coordinating safety checks, managing leasing applications, maintaining property records, monitoring rental conditions and supporting compliant tenancy procedures.

For landlords who do not have the time or resources to manage changing legal requirements themselves, professional management provides a more structured approach to protecting their investment.

Property management Melbourne: check your rental compliance records

The 13 October 2026 reforms represent another important shift in Victoria's rental market.

For renters, the changes strengthen protection against unsupported bond claims and rental application or rent-payment fees.

For landlords, they reinforce the need for proactive maintenance, reliable documentation and legally compliant leasing procedures.

Good property management is no longer just about finding tenants and collecting rent. It's also about demonstrating that the property is being managed responsibly.

For landlords in Melbourne CBD, Docklands and Southbank, a dated compliance file makes handovers and maintenance follow-up easier. Explore Forge’s property management services in Melbourne.

If you're unsure whether your investment property meets the latest Victorian rental requirements, contact Forge Real Estate to enquire about a rental compliance review and our professional property management services.

Disclaimer: Updated 19 October 2026. This article provides general information about Victorian residential rental laws, not legal advice or a compliance certification. Consult Consumer Affairs Victoria or a qualified professional about your circumstances; rules may change.

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