New Rental Laws: What Rental Providers Need to Know

Key reforms every Victorian rental provider should be across before November 2025.

The Victorian Parliament has passed significant new rental reforms under the Consumer and Planning Legislation Amendment (Housing Statement Reform) Bill 2024, with changes coming into effect on 25 November 2025.

These reforms build on more than 130 changes since 2021 and are designed to strengthen protections for renters. For rental providers, this means updated processes, stricter compliance requirements, and increased penalties for breaches.

Key Changes Affecting Rental Providers

• Rental bidding banned – all forms of rental bidding are prohibited. Properties must be advertised at a fixed rental price, with no solicitation or acceptance of higher offers.

• Longer notice periods – the notice period for rental increases and notices to vacate has been extended from 60 to 90 days.

• No-fault evictions banned – rental providers must now have a valid reason, as outlined in legislation, to end a rental agreement.

• Standardised application process – a new rental application form will simplify the process, with strict privacy rules around the collection and handling of personal information.

• Ban on third-party platform fees – renters cannot be charged fees by rent-tech platforms when applying for a property or paying rent.

Compliance and Penalties

• Professional registration – real estate agents, property managers, owners corporation managers and conveyancers must be registered and undertake ongoing professional development.

• Stronger penalties – fines of up to $47,422 now apply for offences such as underquoting or making false and misleading representations.

• Property standards – rental properties must meet minimum standards at the time of advertising, not only when the renter moves in.

• Annual smoke alarm checks – now mandatory across all rental properties.

What’s Coming Next

From March 2027, the focus shifts to energy efficiency and home quality standards. Over the following years, rental properties will need to meet new benchmarks, including:

• Installation of ceiling insulation where it is currently missing

• Energy-efficient cooling systems in place by July 2030

• Replacement of old or inefficient heating and hot water systems with efficient electric models when they reach end of life

• Water-efficient showerheads (minimum 4-star rating)

• Draughtproofing of windows, doors and vents

What This Means for Rental Providers

If you own an investment property, it’s important to understand these reforms and how they affect your rental agreements, notice periods, and compliance obligations. Non-compliance could result in significant penalties, and there will be greater oversight of rental increases and property advertising.

At The Coast, we’re across the details of these changes and will guide our rental providers through the transition. Our focus is on ensuring your property remains compliant, competitive, and well-managed under the new laws.