• Rental Minimum Standards Checklist

    Everybody deserves to live in a safe and secure home. As a rental provider, you’re required by law to ensure your property meets the mandatory minimum standards at the time it’s advertised or before you offer to lease it to a renter. Minimum standards fall into 15 categories. Check these off the list below before you let a renter move into the property.

  • Property Details

  • Date of Assessment*
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    2 digit day, 2 digit month, 4 digit year

  • Inspect these items in your rental property to make sure it meets minimum standards.

    If it doesn’t, Individuals can face maximum penalties of over $11,800, while companies face maximum fines of over $59,000.

  • Bathroom

  • A property’s bathroom must have a sink, a shower or bath, and hot and cold water. Showers must have a shower head with a 3-star water efficiency rating. If a 3-star shower head can’t be installed, for example because of the property’s age, then a shower head with a 1-or 2-star rating is acceptable.

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  • I have reasonable belief that*

  • Kitchen

  • The property must have a kitchen with:
    • a cooking and food preparation area
    • a sink in good working order connected to hot and cold water
    • a stovetop in good working order that has two or more burners.
    If there’s an oven, it must be in good working order.

     

    These requirements do not apply if the property is listed in the heritage register at Heritage Council Victoria and has an approved exemption from the standard.

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  • I have reasonable belief that*

  • Laundry

  • If there’s a laundry, you must ensure it’s connected to a reasonable supply of hot and cold water.

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  • I have reasonable belief that*

  • Toilets

  • The property’s toilet must be in good working order and connected to either:

    • pipes that carry the sewage to a treatment plant (a reticulated sewerage system)
    • a wastewater treatment system permitted under the Code of practice – Onsite wastewater management at EPA Victoria
    • any other system approved by the local council.


    The toilet must be in a separate room in the property, either by itself, or in an appropriate room like a bathroom or in a combined bathroom-laundry.

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  • I have reasonable belief that*

  • Locks

  • The property’s external entry doors must have functioning deadlocks (a ‘deadlock’ is defined as a deadlatch with at least one cylinder) or be fitted with locks that can be unlocked with a key from the outside but can be unlocked without one from the inside.

    The only cases where a deadlock doesn’t have to be fitted to a door are when:

    • a door cannot be secured with a deadlock - for example, because of its position
    • it is a screen door in the same door frame as an external door
    • a different type of lock or device is required under another Act or law
    • the door is not accessible because there is another type of security barrier. For example, a locked door to an apartment building, or a locked gate
    • the property is registered under the Heritage Act 2017 and has an approved exemption from the standard.Read more about locks and security.

    Read more about locks and security.

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  • I have reasonable belief that*

  • Mould And Damp

  • All rooms must be free from mould and damp caused by or related to the building structure.

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  • I have reasonable belief that*

  • Windows

  • All external windows that people can open must have latches. The latches must secure the windows against outside entry. Windows that can open must also be able to be left in the open or closed position.

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  • I have reasonable belief that*

  • Window Coverings

  • The property must have curtains or blinds in rooms used for living or sleeping. They must open and close, block light and maintain privacy.

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  • I have reasonable belief that*

  • Window Covering Anchors

  • All corded internal window coverings (such as blinds or curtains) must have an anchor installed to ensure the cords are secured or tensioned and can’t form a loose loop.

  • You can order a free kit from Consumer Affairs Victoria or buy one from a hardware store.

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  • I have reasonable belief that*

  • Heating

  • There must be a fixed heater in the main living area that’s in good working order. For rental agreements starting from March 2023, this heater should be energy efficient. If an existing heater isn’t energy efficient, the rental provider must upgrade it.

    Under the standards, an energy-efficient fixed heater is either:
    • a non-ducted air conditioner or heat pump with a 2-star or above energy rating
    • a gas space heater with a 2-star or above energy rating
    • a ducted heating or hydronic heating system with an outlet in the main living area
    • a domestic solid fuel-burning appliance, such as a fireplace or wood-burning stove.

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  • I have reasonable belief that*

  • Vermin Proof Bins

  • You must supply the renter with rubbish and recycling bins. Bins must be vermin-proof and meet council collection standards.

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  • I have reasonable belief that*

  • Structural Soundness

  • The property must be structurally sound and weatherproof.
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  • I have reasonable belief that*

  • Lighting

  • Interior rooms, corridors and hallways must have access to working lights. The property must have natural light during the day. This can include light coming from other rooms. At night, there should be access to artificial light.

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  • I have reasonable belief that*

  • Ventilation

  • All rooms must have adequate ventilation, including the bathroom, shower, toilet and laundry.

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  • I have reasonable belief that*

  • Electrical Safety

  • Rental properties must have modern switchboards with circuit breakers and electrical safety switches. Rental providers must hire an electrician to check this.

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  • I have reasonable belief that*

  • Reference: Consumer Affairs Victoria

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  • Declaration

  • By signing below, the Rental Provider has reasonable belief and confirms the property meets the Minimum Rental Standards under the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021, and confirms that no information likely to affect the Renter's use of the property has been knowingly withheld.

  • Should be Empty: