Important Update: Victorian Rental Reforms – November 2025
Significant changes to Victoria’s rental laws are coming into effect from 25 November 2025, however REIV and CAV have announced that some key reforms are now to be delayed. Let’s break it down.
What You Need to Know
The Victorian Government’s rental reform regulations are expected to receive royal assent this week, ahead of the 25 November commencement date. However, Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) has announced important delays to several key provisions.
Reforms Now Delayed:
- Standardised rental application forms
- Ban on fees charged by rent tech providers
- Additional considerations for rent increase matters
25 November 2025 – Key Changes
- Ban on No Fault Evictions
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- Rental providers cannot issue a notice to vacate without a reason, even at the end of a fixed-term agreement
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- Fixed-term agreements automatically roll over to periodic leases unless ended with valid reason
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- Rental providers must give 90 days’ notice to vacate (unless urgent), giving renters more time to plan
- Extension of Notice Periods
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- 90 days’ notice required for rent increases and certain notices to vacate
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- Gives renters more time to make alternative arrangements
- Ban on Rental Bidding
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- Agents and rental providers banned from inviting renters to offer higher rent than advertised
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- Includes requests to pay more rent in advance
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- Builds on existing laws banning advertising that invites higher offers
- Minimum Standards When Advertising
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- Properties must meet minimum standards at time of advertising, not just before tenant moves in
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- From 1 December: all internal windows must have working locks
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- Rental providers must arrange mandatory smoke alarm checks for all agreements
- Mandatory Annual Smoke Alarm Checks
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- Required for all rental properties from 29 March 2021
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- Applies to both fixed-term and periodic agreements
- Protection of Renters’ Personal Information
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- Rental providers and agents must follow privacy rules when handling rental applications
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- Cannot disclose information without renter’s consent
December 2025 – New Minimum Standards
- Blind Cord Safety Anchors (Rooming Houses)
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- All rental properties must have secured cords on internal window blinds to prevent forming loops
- Heating Standard for Rooming Houses
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- Rooming house providers must install a fixed heater that can heat the ceiling for each resident’s room
UPCOMING RENTAL REFORMS – DATES TO BE ADVISED
VAC have made an announcement advising that the state start dates for the below upcoming renting reforms are still being considered and more information on supporting regulations and timeframes will be available shortly.
- New Standard Form for Rental Applications
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- Rental providers and their agents must use the prescribed form for rental agreement applications
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- This change will make it quicker and easier for a renter to apply for a property
- Rules for Information That Can Be Asked of Rental Applicants
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- Rental providers will need to follow clear rules for the type of information they can ask from renters
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- This will be limited to what’s necessary to assess an applicant’s suitability as a renter and to confirm their identity and capacity to pay the advertised rent
- Ban on Third Party Fees for Applications and Rent Payment
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- Only rental providers, agents and banks will be able to charge a renter fees for applications or rent payments
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- Third party businesses will be banned from charging these fees
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- While rental providers and agents may still use third party platforms, it will be an offence for the businesses that run these to charge a renter fees
- Additional Considerations for Rent Increase Investigations
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- The Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), including Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria, will be able to consider additional factors when determining whether a proposed rent increase is excessive
Stay Informed
For comprehensive details on all rental law changes, visit the official Consumer Affairs Victoria website at https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/renting/new-changes-to-the-rental-laws.
These reforms are significant and may continue to evolve, so we’ll keep you informed with regular blog updates as more information becomes available, email alerts for important deadline changes, practical guides and checklists, and webinars and information sessions.
If you have any questions about how these reforms may affect your rental property or tenancy, our Noel Jones Property Management team is across the latest changes and here to help. Please reach out to your local Noel Jones office or contact us directly to discuss your individual circumstances.
This information is general in nature and should not be considered legal advice. For specific guidance on your situation, please consult with a property management professional or legal advisor.
