From 25 November 2025, Victoria’s new rental laws, which include updated minimum rental standards focusing on safety, liveability, and energy efficiency, will come into effect.
Consumer Affairs Victoria has released a summary of the new laws, which include:
- Bans on no-fault evictions
- Extension of notice periods
- Bans on all forms of rental bidding
- Mandatory smoke alarm checks
- New rules around personal data
- Minimum standards updates
While many of these changes are black and white, minimum standards still have commentary such as ‘reasonable belief’, which has created some unease for the industry.
For rental providers, the key change to minimum standards is timing: properties must meet these standards before being advertised to avoid delays, fines, or removal of the property listing.
Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) has stated that it will use a dedicated task force to scan rental listings and conduct spot checks. With enforcement becoming more proactive, having a clear compliance plan and a supportive Property Management team is essential.
At Nelson Alexander, our goal is simple: provide rental providers with clarity, confidence, and a smooth pathway to compliance. We have spent months preparing so our customers can stay ahead of these changes with certainty.
What the standards cover
The full list of rental minimum standards can be found on Consumer Affairs Victoria and includes:
- Energy-efficient fixed heating
- Adequate ventilation and moisture control
- Mould and damp prevention
- Secure locks and windows
- Window coverings and updated corded-blind safety
- Electrical safety, including modern switchboards and safety switches
- Water-efficient fixtures
- Structural soundness and weatherproofing
- Cleanliness and basic livability
Many of these requirements are familiar, but some definitions have been refined or expanded.
Key updates from 25 November
- More detailed ventilation and moisture requirements
- Clearer electrical safety expectations
- Adjustments to heating and fixed installations
- Stronger emphasis on privacy and window coverings
Some areas still require interpretation, which is why confirming compliance early is the safest approach.
How enforcement is changing
CAV will:
- Audit online listings
- Spot-check advertised properties
- Issue fines for non-compliance
The responsibility now falls on rental providers to confirm standards before a property reaches the market.
Introducing the Nelson Alexander Rental Minimum Standards Check
To make compliance straightforward, we have launched the Nelson Alexander Rental Minimum Standards Check in conjunction with Detector Inspector.
This service:
- Confirms whether your property meets the minimum standards
- Highlights any remedial tasks
- For Detector Inspector Safer Home Plan customers, it includes a guarantee covering any CAV fines related to compliance
We complete the report, and a property can be assessed within 24 hours. With this solution, our rental providers can move forward confidently, knowing their properties meet the standards and are ready to welcome renters without risk.
