Comply with Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (VIC)
VIC RTA 1997 (significantly amended 2021) — minimum standards, pets, no-fault terminations reformed.
Who must comply
Rental providers and their agents for residential rental properties in Victoria, rooming house operators, and caravan and Part 4A park site operators. Third-party platforms are also bound: only rental providers, agents and banks may charge renters fees for applications or rent payments.
What triggers it
Advertising, offering or entering into a residential rental agreement in Victoria, and each event during the tenancy (rent increase, entry, repairs, notice to vacate, bond claim at the end).
When due
Minimum standards met when the property is advertised; condition report (2 signed copies, or 1 electronic) before the renter moves in; annual smoke alarm checks; 90 days' notice of a rent increase; exit condition report within 10 days of the agreement ending; from 13 October 2026, gas and electrical safety checks every 2 years and advance notice, with evidence, of any bond claim.
Evidence required
Records showing the property met the minimum rental standards before it was advertised, offered or occupied (to be given to CAV on request from 13 October 2026); signed condition report on the CAV template, with dated photos, and the exit condition report; smoke alarm, gas and electrical safety check records; prescribed rental application forms and secure handling and destruction of applicant information; rent increase and notice-to-vacate notices with valid reasons.
Max penalty
CAV lists the following as offences: advertising a property that does not meet the minimum standards, disclosing a renter's personal information without consent, a third party charging renters application or payment fees and (from 13 October 2026) a rental provider or agent charging an application fee. VCAT can order repairs and decide bond and condition-report disputes. Offence penalty amounts were not verified for this entry; check the Act on legislation.vic.gov.au
Who must comply with this? The applicability test by industry, business structure and size.
Summary
The Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic) governs rental agreements, rooming houses, caravans and Part 4A park sites, administered by Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) with disputes heard by VCAT and Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria. Rental providers (landlords) and their agents must meet minimum rental standards, now from the time a property is advertised, and give the renter a signed condition report before move-in. Reforms in the Housing Statement Reform legislation are phasing in: since 25 November 2025 no-fault notices to vacate are banned, fixed terms roll into periodic agreements, rent increases and certain notices need 90 days' notice, and rental bidding is banned. From 13 October 2026 come two-yearly gas and electrical safety checks and a ban on application fees; minimum energy efficiency standards phase in from 1 March 2027.
Enforced by
Source legislation
Topics
Related
- VICComply with Retail Leases Act 2003 (VIC)Vic retail leases (under $1M annual rent) attract statutory protections including disclosure + outgoings rules.
- NSWComply with Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW)Landlords + agents must lodge bonds with Rental Bond Board + comply with notice + minimum standards.
- VICNotify VIC WorkSafe of notifiable WHS incidentsDeath, serious injury, illness or dangerous incident must be notified to WorkSafe immediately.
- VICMaintain VBA registration as builder / draftsperson / surveyorVIC building practitioners must hold current registration + appropriate insurance.
- VICPCBU primary duty of care (Victoria OHS Act s 21)Victorian employers must so far as reasonably practicable provide and maintain a safe working environment.
- VICVIC Environment Reference Standards (air, water, noise)Vic EPA assesses environmental performance against Environment Reference Standards.
Frequently asked questions
- Who must comply with Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (VIC)?
- Rental providers and their agents for residential rental properties in Victoria, rooming house operators, and caravan and Part 4A park site operators. Third-party platforms are also bound: only rental providers, agents and banks may charge renters fees for applications or rent payments.
- What triggers Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (VIC)?
- Advertising, offering or entering into a residential rental agreement in Victoria, and each event during the tenancy (rent increase, entry, repairs, notice to vacate, bond claim at the end).
- When is Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (VIC) due?
- Minimum standards met when the property is advertised; condition report (2 signed copies, or 1 electronic) before the renter moves in; annual smoke alarm checks; 90 days' notice of a rent increase; exit condition report within 10 days of the agreement ending; from 13 October 2026, gas and electrical safety checks every 2 years and advance notice, with evidence, of any bond claim.
- What is the maximum penalty for Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (VIC)?
- CAV lists the following as offences: advertising a property that does not meet the minimum standards, disclosing a renter's personal information without consent, a third party charging renters application or payment fees and (from 13 October 2026) a rental provider or agent charging an application fee. VCAT can order repairs and decide bond and condition-report disputes. Offence penalty amounts were not verified for this entry; check the Act on legislation.vic.gov.au
- What evidence is required for Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (VIC)?
- Records showing the property met the minimum rental standards before it was advertised, offered or occupied (to be given to CAV on request from 13 October 2026); signed condition report on the CAV template, with dated photos, and the exit condition report; smoke alarm, gas and electrical safety check records; prescribed rental application forms and secure handling and destruction of applicant information; rent increase and notice-to-vacate notices with valid reasons.
Source: https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/renting/new-changes-to-the-rental-laws. Rules Mate is not a law firm. Always verify against the live regulator source before acting.