New rental rules begin today, making renting fairer and safer across the state.
These new rules support the Housing Statement reforms that began last year, which included a ban on no-fault evictions and all types of rental bidding.
The changes beginning today are:
- Rental providers and agents must use the new standard form for all rental applications, making it easier and quicker for a renter to apply for a property.
- Rental providers can only ask applicants to provide the information in the standard application form. This is limited to what’s needed to assess the application and verify a renter’s identity and capacity to pay the advertised rent.
- Rental apps and rent payment platforms are banned from charging renters fees for making a rental application or paying rent. Rental providers and agents may still use these platforms, but it is an offence for the businesses that run these platforms to charge a renter these fees.
- Protections against excessive rent increases are strengthened. The Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria, Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal can now consider additional factors when determining if a proposed rent increase is excessive.
Consumer Affairs Victoria can now issue new fines for some breaches. Fine amounts of over $12,000 for businesses and $2,400 for individuals apply.
Consumer Affairs Victoria’s Renting Taskforce continues to monitor the rental market for compliance with the rental laws. It has issued more than $830,000 in fines since it began operations in 2024.
Along with stronger protections for renters, the new Victorian Renter Rights Program provides more funding to renter support services. The program will start this year.
More information
For more information about rental laws in Victoria, go to Renting or call 1300 55 81 81.