Victoria’s New Rental Rules from 13 October 2026: What Landlords and Renters Both Need to Get Right

Victoria’s rental laws are changing again on 13 October 2026 — and this round is particularly important for landlords who still treat compliance as something to sort out when a tenancy ends.

From that date, rental providers will face stronger requirements around bond claims, gas and electrical safety checks and evidence that a property met minimum rental standards.

These changes do not arrive in isolation. Victorian landlords and renters are already operating under the ban on no-fault evictions, 90-day rent-increase notices, minimum standards before advertising and the prescribed rental application process introduced through earlier stages of the reforms.

The result is a rental system where paperwork, evidence and timing matter more than ever.

Here is what the new rental laws in Victoria from October 2026 actually mean for your next lease — without the legislative jargon.

What Changes on 13 October 2026?

According to Consumer Affairs Victoria’s schedule of rental law changes, several new obligations commence on 13 October 2026.

The most important for everyday landlords and renters are:

rental providers must give renters advance notice if they intend to make a bond claim and provide evidence supporting that claim

gas and electrical safety checks will be required every two years for all rental agreements, regardless of when the agreement began

rental providers must keep sufficient records showing that the property complied with minimum rental standards when it was advertised or offered for rent

a gas safety check will be required before certain draughtproofing work is carried out.

That last point also matters because Victoria has another round of energy-efficiency standards beginning from 1 March 2027.

The practical message is straightforward: managing a Victorian rental property is becoming increasingly evidence-based.

It is no longer enough to believe that the property complied, that the repair was completed or that a bond deduction was justified.

You need the records to demonstrate it.

1. Landlord Bond Claims Will Need Advance Notice and Evidence

One of the most significant changes is the strengthening of landlord bond claim rules in Victoria.

From 13 October 2026, a rental provider who intends to make a claim against a renter’s bond at the end of the agreement must notify the renter in advance and provide evidence supporting the claim.

That changes the practical approach to final inspections.

A landlord should not simply identify a damaged item, estimate a figure and expect the bond to cover it.

Evidence becomes central.

Depending on the nature of the claim, that could mean keeping the entry condition report, photographs, invoices, repair quotations, rent ledgers and correspondence showing what happened and when.

There is also an important distinction between damage and fair wear and tear.

Consumer Affairs Victoria states that bond may be claimed for matters such as renter-caused damage, unpaid rent or charges, unreasonable cleanliness issues or missing items. A rental provider cannot claim bond for fair wear and tear or damage that was the provider’s responsibility to repair. See the official Victorian bond claims and refunds guidance.

What landlords should do

Good property management now starts at the beginning of the tenancy, not when the keys are returned.

A detailed condition report, properly dated photographs and a documented maintenance history make a legitimate bond claim much easier to substantiate.

For landlords using a property manager, this is where organised leasing records become particularly valuable. Forge’s Melbourne property-management service covers leasing, tenant management, maintenance and inspections rather than leaving compliance documentation to be reconstructed at the end of a tenancy.

What renters should do

Renters should keep their own copy of the condition report and photograph the property when they move in and out.

If a bond deduction is proposed, ask what the claim is for and examine the evidence.

Bond disputes can be dealt with through Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria or, where necessary, VCAT. A renter can also initiate a bond claim through the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority after the agreement ends.

2. Gas and Electrical Safety Checks Every Two Years Will Apply to All Rentals

The second major October change is easier to understand — but potentially expensive to overlook.

From 13 October 2026, rental providers and agents must arrange gas and electrical safety checks every two years for all rental agreements, including agreements that began before that date.

Consumer Affairs Victoria expressly states that the obligation applies whether an agreement commenced before, on or after 13 October 2026.

The checks must be completed by appropriately qualified tradespeople.

For electrical checks, Consumer Affairs Victoria says the inspection must be performed by a licensed or registered electrician and cover the electrical installations, fixtures and fittings required by the regulations. Rental providers must retain the relevant record until the next check is completed.

For gas, the check must be undertaken by a suitably licensed or registered gasfitter and cover the required gas installations and appliances.

See Consumer Affairs Victoria’s full guidance on gas and electrical safety for rental providers.

Do not rely on the lease anniversary

The safest approach for landlords is to maintain a compliance calendar for each property.

Record:

the most recent gas safety check

the most recent electrical safety check

who performed each check

the licence or registration details

repairs identified

when those repairs were completed

when the next two-year check falls due.

A property manager should be tracking these dates before they become overdue, rather than waiting for a renter to ask for the records.

3. Minimum Rental Standards Now Need a Paper Trail

Victoria already requires rental properties to comply with minimum standards.

The October reform adds another important element: record keeping.

From 13 October, rental providers must keep sufficient records to demonstrate that the rental property complied with the minimum standards when it was advertised or offered for rent.

Consumer Affairs Victoria currently lists 15 categories of minimum rental standards, covering areas including bathrooms, electrical safety, heating, kitchens, laundries, lighting, locks, mould and damp, structural soundness, toilets, ventilation, bins, windows and window coverings. See the Victorian rental minimum standards.

For landlords, the shift is subtle but important.

The question will increasingly be not simply:

“Was the property compliant?”

but:

“Can you show that it was compliant when you advertised it?”

That may make pre-leasing inspections, photographs, trades reports, invoices and checklists considerably more important.

Forge has a broader guide explaining Victoria’s 2026 rental reforms and what the Renting Taskforce means for landlords and renters.

4. The 90-Day Rent-Increase Rule Is Already in Force

The October rules are not the only dates landlords need to remember.

Since 25 November 2025, rental providers have generally been required to give at least 90 days’ notice of a proposed rent increase, rather than the previous 60 days.

The approved notice must state the proposed rent and explain how the increase was calculated.

Consumer Affairs Victoria also notes that, in most circumstances, rent cannot be increased more than once every 12 months. A fixed-term agreement cannot simply be increased whenever a landlord chooses; whether an increase can occur during the term depends on the agreement and the applicable rules.

The official requirements are set out in Consumer Affairs Victoria’s rent increase guidance.

That means a casual email saying, “Rent will increase next month” is not an adequate substitute for following the prescribed process.

For a deeper explanation of the notice requirements, Forge has also covered the Victorian rent-increase rules for 2026.

5. No-Fault Evictions Are Already Banned

Another common source of confusion is the phrase “no-fault eviction ban in Victoria”.

Since 25 November 2025, a rental provider cannot issue a notice to vacate simply because a fixed-term agreement is ending.

If no valid reason for termination applies, the tenancy will generally continue as a periodic agreement once the fixed term expires unless the parties enter another fixed-term agreement.

That does not mean landlords can never recover possession.

The law still recognises specified grounds for a notice to vacate, including situations such as:

sale of the property in qualifying circumstances

substantial renovations or demolition

the rental provider or certain family members moving in

serious renter breaches

rent arrears

dangerous behaviour or serious damage.

Different grounds have different notice periods and evidentiary requirements.

For example, several common landlord-initiated grounds now require 90 days’ notice and specified evidence.

Consumer Affairs Victoria provides the current grounds, evidence requirements and notice periods for notices to vacate.

The key point for landlords is that “I want the property back” is no longer, by itself, a lawful reason.

6. The Standard Rental Application Form Is Already Mandatory

Another date worth separating from the October changes is 31 March 2026.

Since then, Victorian rental providers and agents have been required to use the prescribed rental application form and follow tighter rules about what information can be requested from applicants.

Consumer Affairs Victoria says providers can only ask for the information permitted through the prescribed process and necessary to assess matters such as identity, suitability and capacity to pay the advertised rent.

The reform was designed partly to reduce unnecessary collection of personal information.

See the official Victorian rental application requirements.

For landlords self-managing a property, continuing to use an old application template downloaded years ago is therefore a compliance risk.

Can a Landlord Make a Renter Pay for a Broken Dishwasher?

This is exactly the kind of everyday problem that shows why rental law is more nuanced than “tenant pays” versus “landlord pays”.

Consumer Affairs Victoria specifically lists a broken dishwasher as an example of a non-urgent repair.

That means the fact that it is not an urgent repair does not automatically make it the renter’s financial responsibility.

If a dishwasher supplied with the rental property stops working through ordinary use, the repair would generally sit within the rental provider’s repair responsibilities.

If the renter deliberately or negligently damages it, however, responsibility can be different.

Consumer Affairs Victoria distinguishes non-urgent repairs from urgent matters such as failed essential hot-water, cooking or heating services. See its guide to repairs in Victorian rental properties.

So the useful questions are:

Who supplied the appliance? What caused the problem? Is it simply broken, or was it damaged?

That evidence matters far more than assuming the renter must pay because they were using it when it failed.

What If Your Flatmate Owes You Rent, Bills or Bond Money?

Share-house disputes create another important misconception.

If two people are named on the rental agreement as co-renters, each can be responsible to the rental provider for obligations under the tenancy.

That can produce an unpleasant outcome when one housemate stops paying.

Consumer Affairs Victoria explains that co-renters may be held responsible for another co-renter’s unpaid rent or damage.

However, there is a critical distinction when the dispute is between the co-renters themselves.

Consumer Affairs Victoria says it cannot resolve disagreements between co-renters about matters such as bills and that co-renters cannot use VCAT to resolve that type of dispute between themselves. It points people instead towards options such as the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria. Read the official guidance on co-renting and share-house responsibilities.

That is different from a bond dispute involving a rental provider, where Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria and VCAT may have a role.

So “my flatmate owes me money — I’ll take it to VCAT” is not automatically the right pathway.

What About Accessibility Modifications in a Rental?

Rental properties also sometimes need alterations for a renter with disability or reduced mobility.

That raises separate questions about consent, restoration and exactly what type of work is proposed.

For renters and property managers considering practical accessibility improvements, some solutions can be relatively non-invasive. Melbourne-based Mobility Access Modifications provides minor and major accessibility modifications, including options designed around safer access, bathrooms and mobility needs.

Renters should still obtain any approval required under their rental agreement and Victorian rental law before altering a property.

The key lesson is the same as for repairs: document what is requested, what has been approved and who is responsible for the work.

Solar Is Not One of the 13 October Requirements

Landlords considering solar panels to make a rental property more attractive should separate investment decisions from legal minimum standards.

Solar installation is not one of the core obligations commencing on 13 October 2026.

Victoria does, however, have significant new rental energy-efficiency standards beginning in phases from 1 March 2027.

Those standards cover:

heating

cooling

hot water

shower heads

ceiling insulation

draughtproofing.

The requirements have different triggers and commencement dates, so landlords planning upgrades now should check the upcoming rules before replacing major systems.

Consumer Affairs Victoria provides the details in its guide to the new Victorian minimum energy-efficiency standards.

That can prevent an owner from paying for one upgrade in late 2026 only to discover another compliance upgrade is triggered shortly afterwards.

The 2026 Victorian Rental Compliance Checklist

For landlords preparing for the October changes, a simple checklist can prevent a lot of problems.

Before advertising

Confirm all 15 minimum rental standards are met.

Keep photographs, inspection records and relevant trades documentation.

Use the current prescribed rental application process.

Check that advertising complies with Victoria’s rental rules.

When a renter moves in

Complete a detailed condition report.

Keep dated photographs.

Record appliance condition.

Store the rental agreement, safety records and compliance documents together.

Record the dates of the most recent gas and electrical checks.

During the tenancy

Track the two-year safety-check cycle.

Document maintenance requests and completed repairs.

Use the correct notice forms.

Allow at least 90 days for a qualifying rent increase.

Keep records supporting any statutory notices.

When the tenancy ends

Compare the outgoing condition with the original condition report.

Separate genuine damage from fair wear and tear.

Photograph any issue relied upon for a bond claim.

Keep invoices or reasonable repair evidence.

From 13 October 2026, give the renter advance notice of an intended bond claim and provide supporting evidence.

That is essentially what good property management now looks like: compliance by design rather than compliance after a dispute starts.

What Renters Should Keep

The documentation burden is not only useful for landlords.

Renters should keep copies of:

the original advertisement

their rental application

the rental agreement

the condition report

move-in photographs

repair requests

rent increase notices

notices to vacate

correspondence about damage

final inspection photographs

bond correspondence.

If a disagreement reaches Consumer Affairs Victoria, Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria or VCAT, contemporaneous records are far more useful than trying to reconstruct what happened months later.

What the 13 October Rental Rules Really Change

The next stage of Victoria’s rental reforms does not completely rewrite the landlord-renter relationship.

It changes something more practical.

It raises the standard of proof.

A landlord making a bond claim needs evidence.

A landlord advertising a compliant property needs records supporting that compliance.

Gas and electrical safety checks need to be scheduled, completed and documented.

Rent increases and notices to vacate need the right notice period and the right form.

And renters need to know the difference between a genuine breach of their rights, a repair obligation and a private dispute with another housemate.

For Melbourne landlords, this is increasingly difficult to manage with a folder of old forms and calendar reminders.

For renters, knowing the rules can prevent a legitimate request for repairs, bond repayment or proper notice from turning into an unnecessary dispute.

The practical approach for both sides is the same:

use the current forms, keep the evidence and deal with compliance before it becomes a VCAT problem.

Forge Real Estate Melbourne can help you blueprint your future by finding the perfect blue-chip property where your lifestyle needs and investment goals converge.

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