VIC: Minimum Standards

The Residential Tenancies Act 1997 Section 65A provides authority for minimum standards to be prescribed. The current minimum standards are listed in Schedule 4 of the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021, they are listed below (the below is a list but does not include the full wording as found in schedule 4 of the regulations, we recommend at all times you refer to Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021 Schedule 4 for the complete wording and any exemptions or additional requirements that may apply).

Locks: All external entry doors to the rented premises which are not able to be secured with a functioning deadlock, other than any screen door attached to an external door, must at least be fitted with a locking device that— (a) is operated by a key from the outside; and

(b) may be unlocked from the inside with or without a key.

Vermin Proof Bins: A rubbish bin and a recycling bin are to be supplied for use by the renter of the rented premises which are— (a) provided by the local council; or

(b) vermin proof and compatible with local council collection.

(For rural areas where council neither provides bins nor collects rubbish we have received written advice from the responsible minister that the RRP is required to provide vermin proof bins and arrange for their collection).

Toilets: The rented premises are to contain a toilet that is in good working order and connected to an acceptable disposal system.

Bathroom facilities: A bathroom connected to a reasonable supply of hot and cold water that contains a washbasin and a shower or bath. (If the bathroom contains a shower there are requirements in relation to the rating of shower heads).

Kitchen facilities: A dedicated area which is intended to be used for cooking and food preparation with a sink in good working order that is connected to a reasonable supply of hot and cold water and a cooktop in good working order that has 2 or more burners.

Laundry facilities: Any laundry facilities present in the rented premises must be connected to a reasonable supply of hot and cold water.

Structural soundness: The rented premises are to be structurally sound and weatherproof.

Mould and Dampness: Each room in the rented premises must be free from mould and damp caused by or related to the building structure.

Electrical Safety: (applies from 29 March 2023): All power outlets and lighting circuits must be connected to a switchboard-type Circuit Breaker, and a switchboard type Residual Current Device.

Window coverings: Each window in a room at the rented premises that is likely to be used as a bedroom or as a living area is to be fitted with a curtain or blind that can be opened or closed by the renter. Window coverings must reasonably block light and provide reasonable privacy to the renter.

Windows: All external windows in the rented premises that are capable of opening must be able to be set in a closed or open position, and All external windows in the rented premises which are capable of opening must have a functioning latch to secure the windows against external entry.

Lighting: The interior rooms, corridors and hallways of the rented premises are to have access to light, whether natural or artificial, which provides a level of illuminance appropriate to the function or use of those rooms.

Each habitable room of the rented premises is to have access to natural light, including borrowed light from an adjoining room, during daylight hours, which provides a level of illuminance appropriate to the function or use of the room; and artificial light during non-daylight hours which provides a level of illuminance appropriate to the function or use of the room.

Ventilation: If the rented premises is a Class 1 building, each habitable room, bathroom, shower room, toilet and laundry must have ventilation satisfying Performance Requirement P2.4.5 of the BCA Volume Two, or the Acceptable Construction Practice in Part 3.8.5 of the BCA Volume Two.

If the rented premises is within a Class 2 building, each habitable room, bathroom, shower room, toilet and laundry must have ventilation satisfying Performance Requirements FP4.3, FP4.4 and FP4.5 of the BCA Volume One, or the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions requirements in F4.5, F4.6 and F4.7 of the BCA Volume One.

Heating: On and from 29 March 2021 until 28 March 2023, in relation to heating in a Class 1 building—

(a) a fixed heater in good working order is to be in the main living area of the rented premises; or

(b) if a fixed heater has not been installed in the main living area of the rented premises on or by 29 March 2021, an energy efficient fixed heater in good working order is to be installed in the main living area of the rented premises.

(2) On and from 29 March 2021 until 28 March 2023, in relation to heating in a Class 2 building—

(a) a fixed heater in good working order is to be in the main living area of the rented premises; or

(b) if a fixed heater has not been installed in the main living area of the rented premises on or by 29 March 2021, an energy efficient fixed heater in good working order is to be installed in the main living area of the rented premises unless it would be unreasonable to install an energy efficient fixed heater.

On and from 29 March 2023, in relation to heating in a Class 1 building, an energy efficient fixed heater in good working order is to be installed in the main living area of the rented premises.

On and from 29 March 2023, in relation to heating in a Class 2 building—

(a) an energy efficient fixed heater in good working order is to be installed in the main living area of the rented premises unless it is unreasonable to install an energy efficient fixed heater; or

(b) if it is unreasonable to install an energy efficient fixed heater in the main living area of the rented premises, a fixed heater in good working order is to be installed in the main living area of the rented premises.