What Are Victoria’s New Rental Laws in 2026, and What Do They Mean for Renters and Landlords?

The Victoria new rental laws 2026 largely build on reforms that took effect on 25 November 2025. Victoria now bans no-fault evictions and all rental bidding, requires 90 days’ notice for rent increases and certain notices to vacate, and requires rental properties to meet minimum standards before advertising. From 31 March 2026, rental providers and agents must also use the prescribed Form 3A rental application and follow tighter privacy rules.

No-Fault Eviction Ban Victoria: What Changed?

Under the no-fault eviction ban Victoria, a rental provider cannot end a tenancy simply because a fixed-term agreement expires. The agreement generally becomes periodic unless both parties sign another fixed term or the provider has a valid legal reason to issue a notice to vacate.

Valid grounds still include sale, major renovations, the rental provider or eligible family moving in, and renter breaches. Notice periods and evidence requirements vary, and missing required evidence can make a notice invalid.

Rent Increases and 90-Day Notice Rules

In most cases, rent cannot be increased more than once every 12 months, and rental providers must give at least 90 days’ written notice. Certain notices to vacate, including sale, renovation and owner-occupation grounds, also generally require 90 days.

For a sale requiring vacant possession, an existing fixed term cannot simply be shortened. The notice must use a valid ground and include the required evidence.

Buying a Tenanted Property in Melbourne

When buying a tenanted property in Melbourne, do not assume settlement ends the lease. If the renter remains after the sale, the existing rental agreement continues and the purchaser becomes the new rental provider.

Buyers wanting vacant possession should therefore have the contract and tenancy position reviewed before signing. Forge’s guide to Victorian rental law changes for Melbourne landlords explains the compliance issues investors should check.

Form 3A and Rental Minimum Standards Victoria

From 31 March 2026, landlords and agents must use the prescribed application form and can only request information allowed by the rules. Unsuccessful applicants’ personal information must also be destroyed or permanently de-identified within specified timeframes.

The rental minimum standards Victoria rules require a property to meet all 15 minimum-standard categories when advertised or offered for rent, not only before move-in.

What This Means for You

Landlord obligations Victoria 2026 are increasingly procedural: valid grounds, correct forms, evidence, notice periods and minimum-standard compliance all matter. Forge’s guide to Victoria’s 2026 rental reforms and its Form 3A and rent increase guide provide practical detail for investors.

Renters may also have rights to make or request certain property modifications. For accessibility-related work, Mobility Access Modifications provides minor and major home-modification services across Greater Melbourne.

From 13 October 2026, further Victorian reforms are scheduled to strengthen bond-claim rules and expand safety-check and compliance-record requirements.

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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