The Victorian Government has passed major reforms to the Residential Tenancies Act under the Consumer and Planning Legislation Amendment (Housing Statement Reform) Bill 2024. These changes are designed to strengthen renter protections, improve property standards.

New Laws Passed To Make Renting Fairer In Victoria

At Abercrombys, we are committed to keeping our Rental Providers informed and supported. These legislative reforms will take effect from November 2025, with additional requirements coming into force later in the year.

Key Reforms That May Impact You:

Ban all types of Rental Bidding
Agents and Rental Providers will no longer be permitted to accept offers above the advertised rental price or accept payment of more than one month in advance.

Extended Notice Periods
The notice period for rent increases will increase from 60 to 90 days.
A 90-day notice to vacate will apply in most situations. An exception remains for properties that have been sold, which retain the current 60-day requirement.

End of No-Fault Evictions
Rental Providers will no longer be able to terminate a renter after the first or initial fixed-term lease without a valid reason. Ending a tenancy will now require clear grounds, such as the property being sold or the owner intending to move back in.

Standardised Application Form
A new uniform rental application form will be introduced to ensure clarity and fairness in the leasing process. Agencies must also handle applicant data with enhanced privacy protections.

Minimum Property Standards Required Before Advertising
Properties must now meet the minimum rental standards prior to being advertised for lease, not just before the renter moves in.

Window Covering Safety Compliance
From 1 December 2025, all corded internal window furnishings in rental properties must have safety anchors installed.

Introduction of Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV)
A new body will be established to manage rental disputes more efficiently, offering a quicker, less formal alternative to VCAT and helping to resolve issues earlier.

The Abercrombys team is regularly training in compliance to guide you through these changes with confidence. We will continue to provide updates as more details become available.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss how these reforms might affect your property, please contact our office.