Important Rental Minimum Standards Victoria Every Landlord Should Know

What are the Rental Minimum standards in Victoria?

Victoria’s rental minimum standards cover 15 areas of a rental property.

• Bathroom
• Electrical safety
• Heating
• Kitchen
• Laundry
• Lighting
• Locks
• Mould and damp
• Structural soundness
• Toilets
• Ventilation
• Vermin-proof bins
• Windows
• Windows coverings
• Windows covering anchors

These standard are designed to ensure rental properties meet basic requirements relating to safety, security, functionality and comfort.

Not every category requires an electrician or tradesperson, but several areas directly involve electrical, plumbing, heating and property maintenance work.

Electrical Safety Requirements for Rental Properties

Electrical safety is one of the most important areas of the Victorian rental minimum standards.

Rental properties must have compliant switchboard protection, including circuit breakers and electrical safety switches. Consumer Affairs Victoria also states that power outlets and lighting circuits must be connected to the required circuit-breaker and residual-current protection.

Older properties with fuse-type switchboards may require more substantial work. In some cases, simply adding modern protective devices may not be possible, meaning the switchboard may need to be replaced to meet the electrical safety standard.

DCW Electrical can assist with:

• Electrical safety inspections
• Switchboard inspections
• Switchboard upgrades
• Safety switches
• Circuit breakers
• Electrical fault finding
• Power point repairs
• Lighting repairs
• Electrical maintenance
• Rectification work identified during inspections

DCW Electrical is a Registered Electrical Contractor with Energy Safe Victoria

REC 21407 – Registered Electrical Contractor

Mandatory Electrical Safety Checks – October 2026 Update

From 13 October 2026, Victorian rental providers must arrange electrical safety checks every two years for all rental properties, including those with older rental agreements.

These checks must be carried out by appropriately qualified electrical professionals.

DCW Electrical can assist landlords and property managers across Melbourne South-East with electrical safety inspections, fault finding, repairs and rectification work.

Heating Requirements for Victorian Rental Properties

Rental properties must have a fixed heater in the main living area that is in good working order.

Under the current standard, rental agreements entered into from 29 March 2023 requires an energy-efficient fixed heater in the main living area.

Depending on the property and applicable requirements, qualifying heating can include certain reverse-cycle air conditioners or heat pumps, ducted heating systems and other approved fixed heating systems.

DCW Electrical can assist with:

• Reverse-cycle air conditioning
• Split system installation
• Heating and cooling assessments
• Air Conditioning repairs
• Air Conditioning servicing
• Electrical connections for heating systems
• Replacement of suitable heating equipment where required

New Energy Efficiency Standards From March 2027

Victoria is introducing additional rental energy efficiency standards in stages from 1 March 2027.

These requirements cover six areas:

• Heating
• Cooling
• Hot water
• Shower heads
• Ceiling insulation
• Draughtproofing

The commencement dates and requirements depend on the type of upgrade and rental agreement.

From 1 March 2027, new requirements will apply to certain heating and hot water system replacements when existing equipment can no longer be repaired.

Other requirements, including cooling, showerheads and ceiling insulation, will be triggered by new rental agreements or conversions to periodic agreements, subject to applicable conditions and exemptions.

Draughtproofing requirements are scheduled to commence from 1 July 2027.

DCW Electrical can assist rental providers with eligible heating and cooling installations, electrical upgrades and hot water services within our licensed scope.

Switchboard Capacity When Electrifying a Rental Property

Rental properties are increasingly using electric appliances instead of gas equipment.

A property may eventually move towards:

• Induction cooking
• Electric ovens
• Reverse-cycle air conditioning
• Heat-pump hot water
• Additional electrical appliances

Adding major electrical loads does not automatically mean the switchboard must be replaced.

However, before adding high-demand equipment, a licensed electrician should assess whether the existing switchboard, circuits and electrical supply are suitable.

DCW Electrical can inspect the existing electrical system and recommend any upgrades required to safely support additional electrical equipment.

Gas Safety Checks

Victorian rental properties are also subject to mandatory gas safety requirements.

Consumer Affairs Victoria states that rental providers must arrange a gas safety check every two years where applicable. The check must be completed by a licensed or registered gasfitter with the appropriate specialised Type A Gas Appliances Servicing endorsement.

Gas safety checks can involve gas appliances such as

• Gas heaters
• Gas cooktops and stoves
• Gas hot water systems
• Associated gas installations and flues

Rental providers must also retain records of gas safety checks.

DCW Electrical & Plumbing can assist with plumbing and gas-related property requirements within our licensed scope. Contact out team to confirm the appropriate service required for your property.

Hot Water, Bathrooms & Plumbing

Rental minimum standards also include requirements relating to bathrooms, kitchens and laundries.

For example, bathrooms require appropriate hot and cold water, while kitchens require a functioning sink connected to hot and cold water. If a laundry is provided, it also needs an appropriate water supply.

DCW Electrical & Plumbing can assist with a range of property maintenance and plumbing requirements, including:

• Hot water system installation and repairs
• Tap repairs
• Plumbing maintenance
• Water leak repairs
• Bathroom plumbing
• Kitchen plumbing
• Laundry plumbing
• General property maintenance

Lighting & Electrical Repairs

Rental minimum standards also include requirements relating to lighting.

Rooms, corridors and hallways must have suitable access to light so they can be used properly, including artificial lighting at night where required.

DCW Electrical can assist landlords and property managers with:

• Faulty lighting
• LED upgrades
• Light switches
• Indoor lighting
• Outdoor lighting
• Electrical fault finding
• Additional electrical repairs

Smoke Alarms & General Rental Safety

Smoke alarms are another important part of maintaining a safe rental property.

DCW Electrical can assist with smoke alarm inspections, replacement and electrical work where required as part of broader rental property maintenance.

Landlords and property managers should ensure required safety checks and maintenance are kept up to date and that appropriate records are retained.

Keeping Rental Minimum Standards Records

Record keeping has become even more important for Victorian rental providers.

From 13 October 2026, rental providers must keep sufficient records showing that their rental property meets the applicable minimum standards.

Electrical and gas safety check records must also be retained in accordance with the applicable rental requirements.

Keeping reports, invoices, certificates, photos and maintenance records organised can help landlords and property managers demonstrate that required work has been completed.

How DCW Electrical Can Help Landloards & Property Managers

Managing rental compliance can involve several different trades and property systems.

DCW Electrical provides electrical, air conditioning, plumbing and property maintenance services across Melbourne South-East, allowing landlords and property managers to arrange several types of work through one local team.

Depending on the property, DCW can assist with:

• Electrical safety checks
• Electrical repairs and rectification work
• Switchboard upgrades
• Safety switches and circuit breakers
• Smoke alarm services
• Lighting repairs
• Heating and air conditioning
• Split system installation
• Hot water systems
• Plumbing repairs
• Rental property maintenance
• Preparation for upcoming energy-efficiency upgrades

Our licenses and authorisations include:

• REC 21407 – Registered Electrical Contractor
• VBA Plumbing Compliance License 108747
• ARCtick L10266 – Refrigerant Handling Licence
• RTA AU40764 – Refrigerant Trading Authorisation

Rental Minimum Standards Across Melbourne South-East

DCW Electrical works with homeowners, landlords, property managers and real estate professionals throughout Melbourne South-East.

Our service areas include Cranbourne, Cranbourne North, Clyde, Clyde North, Berwick, Beaconsfield, Officer, Pakenham, Narre Warren, Hampton Park, Lyndhurst, Lynbrook, Dandenong, Dandenong South and surrounding suburbs.

Need Help Preparing a Rental Property?

Whether you need an electrical safety check, switchboard upgrade, heating or air conditioning work, plumbing repairs, hot water maintenance or electrical rectification work, DCW Electrical can help assess the property and arrange the appropriate work.

If you are a landlord, property manager or real estate professional looking for help with Rental Minimum Standards in Victoria, contact DCW Electrical today.

Call 03 8488 6630 to arrange an inspection, booking or quote.