Important Changes to Victorian Rental Laws (Effective 25 November 2025)
Victorian rental laws have recently undergone significant reforms designed to make renting fairer and more secure for both tenants and rental providers. These changes, effective from 25 November 2025, clarify obligations, improve property management processes, and provide greater certainty for all parties involved.
At YES Real Estate, we are committed to helping landlords and tenants navigate these changes, ensuring properties remain fully compliant and all legal obligations are met.
https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/renting/new-changes-to-the-rental-laws
Key Changes You Need to Know
1. Ban on No-Fault Evictions
Rental providers can no longer issue a notice to vacate without a valid reason, even at the end of a fixed-term lease.
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Fixed-term agreements will automatically convert to periodic (month-to-month) leases unless a new fixed-term agreement is signed or a valid notice to vacate is issued.
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Existing valid reasons, such as sale of the property, renovations, or breaches of agreement (e.g., failure to pay rent), remain in place.
2. Extended Notice Periods
Landlords must now provide 90 days’ notice for rent increases and certain notices to vacate, giving tenants more time to plan and budget. Shorter notice periods still apply if the tenant is at fault.
3. Ban on Rental Bidding
Tenants are no longer allowed to offer higher than the advertised rent or pay more than one month’s rent in advance. This ensures a transparent and fair rental process.
4. Minimum Standards for Advertised Properties
Properties must meet minimum standards at the time of advertising, not just before a tenant moves in.
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From 1 December 2025, all internal window coverings must have secured cords to improve safety.
5. Annual Smoke Alarm Checks
Landlords are required to organise yearly smoke alarm safety checks for all properties, regardless of when the lease commenced.
6. Protection of Tenants’ Personal Information
Rental providers must manage tenant information responsibly, including secure destruction or de-identification where appropriate. Unauthorized disclosure of personal information is now an offence.
Upcoming Changes
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1 December 2025: All rental properties must have secured blind cords; rooming houses must have fixed heaters in each resident’s room.
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31 March 2026: New standard rental application forms will become mandatory, limiting the type of information landlords and agents can request from applicants.
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Ban on Third-Party Fees: Only landlords, agents, or banks can charge tenants fees. Third-party businesses charging tenants are now prohibited.
These reforms, introduced through the Consumer and Planning Legislation Amendment (Housing Statement Reform) Act 2025 and the Residential Tenancies Amendment (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards) Regulations 2025, aim to balance the rights and responsibilities of renters and providers, making your obligations clearer and processes more structured.
How YES Real Estate Can Help
At YES Real Estate, we are here to guide you through these changes. Our team can assist with:
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Reviewing and updating tenancy agreements
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Ensuring compliance with minimum standards
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Managing rent increases and notices to vacate under the new rules
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Providing expert advice on property management processes
If you have any questions or need guidance on how these laws affect your property, contact us directly. Our goal is to make this transition smooth, stress-free, and fully compliant for all our clients.
