RENTAL MINIMUM STANDARDS AND SAFETY RELATED ACTIVITIES

<p data-block-key="8jfz9">Under the Residential Tenancies Act Residential properties in Victoria must meet prescribed minimum standards. The Residential Rental Provider (RRP) must also have regular safety-related activities carried out at their property.</p><p data-block-key="1pgrf">All rental properties must meet the following standards for each category.</p>

<p data-block-key="8jfz9">The property’s external entry doors must have functioning deadlocks or be fitted with locks that can be unlocked with a key from the outside but can be unlocked without one from the inside.</p><p data-block-key="326b6">The only cases where a deadlock doesn’t have to be fitted to a door are when:</p><ul><li data-block-key="7548n">A door cannot be secured with a deadlock<br/>- for example, due to heritage listing restrictions, because of its position or if it is a screen door in the same door frame as an external door.</li><li data-block-key="3lkqn">A different type of lock or device is required under another Act or law.</li><li data-block-key="31mb8">The door is not directly accessible because there is another type of security barrier, such as a locked door to an apartment building, or a locked gate.</li><li data-block-key="bk88o">The property is registered under the Heritage Act 2017 and has an approved exemption from the standard.</li></ul>

<p data-block-key="8jfz9">The RRP must supply a rubbish bin and a recycling bin for the Renter to use. The bins can be provided by the local council or purchased elsewhere, as long as they are vermin proof and meet council collection standards.</p>

<p data-block-key="8jfz9">The property’s toilet must be in good working order and connected to either:</p><ul><li data-block-key="6n5fq">Pipes that carry the sewage to a treatment plant.</li><li data-block-key="anldo">A wastewater treatment system permitted under the Code Of Practice – Onsite wastewater management at EPA Victoria.</li></ul><p data-block-key="fpp67">Any other system approved by the local council.</p><p data-block-key="f5r8i">The toilet must be in a separate room in the property, either by itself or in an appropriate room like a bathroom or in a combined bathroom laundry.</p>

<p data-block-key="8jfz9">A rental property’s bathroom must have a washbasin and a shower or bath, and be connected to a reasonable supply of hot and cold water. Showers must have a shower head with a 3 star water efficiency rating. If one cannot be installed, for example, because of the property’s age, then a shower head with a 1 or 2 star rating is acceptable.</p>

<p data-block-key="8jfz9">If there is a laundry on the property, it must be connected to a reasonable supply of hot and cold water.</p>

<p data-block-key="ugswk">The property must be structurally sound and weatherproof.</p>

<p data-block-key="ugswk">All rooms must be free from mould and damp caused by or related to the building structure.</p>

<p data-block-key="ugswk">The property must have a kitchen with:</p><ul><li data-block-key="cil52">A dedicated cooking and food preparation area.</li><li data-block-key="4hhaa">A sink in good working order connected to a reasonable supply of hot and cold water.</li><li data-block-key="9e4qq">A stovetop in good working order that has two or more burners.</li><li data-block-key="66nic">If there is an oven, it needs to be in good working order.</li></ul><p data-block-key="6ar8v">These requirements do not apply if the property is listed in the heritage register at Heritage Council Victoria and has an approved exemption from the standard.</p>

<p data-block-key="ugswk">From 29 March 2023, all power outlets and lighting circuits in a rental property must be</p><p data-block-key="68edu">connected to:</p><ul><li data-block-key="8j61l">A switchboard type circuit breaker that complies with AS/NZS 3000 for wiring, and</li><li data-block-key="2hbc2">A switchboard type residual current device that complies with AS/NZS 3190 or AS/NZS 61008.1 or AS/NZS 61009.1.</li></ul><p data-block-key="3i9vq">For further details on these standards, you can refer to the Residential Tenancies Act or to Consumer Affairs Victoria</p>

<p data-block-key="ugswk">From 29 March 2022, windows in rooms likely to be used as bedrooms/ living areas must be fitted with curtains or blinds</p>

<p data-block-key="ugswk">All external windows in a rental property that can be opened must be lockable. They must also be able to be left open or closed. If the window can’t have a lock fitted, it must have a 4 functioning latch to keep it closed.</p>

<p data-block-key="ugswk">Inside rooms, corridors and hallways must have access to light to make the areas functional.</p><p data-block-key="7cv2u">During the day, natural light can include light borrowed from an adjoining room and at night, Renters should have access to artificial light. These requirements do not apply if the property is registered under the Heritage Act 2017 and has an approved exemption from the standard.</p>

<p data-block-key="ugswk">Rental properties must have adequate ventilation in all rooms including the bathroom, shower, toilet and laundry. The property must meet the appropriate ventilation requirements of the Building Code of Australia, which is different for different kinds of properties.</p><p data-block-key="v3u1">You can search resources in the ‘Australian Building Codes Board’ resources library online.</p>

<p data-block-key="ugswk">Rental properties must have a fixed heater (not portable) in good working order in the main living area. If a fixed heater has not been installed in the main living area by 29 March 2021, the RRP must install an energy-efficient heater.</p><p data-block-key="arirr">From 29 March 2023, the heater must also meet energy efficiency standards. This means that if a Renter enters into a rental agreement from 29 March 2023, there must be a fixed energy-efficient heater in the main living area.</p><p data-block-key="3rb5k">If there is an existing fixed heater that is not energy efficient, the RRP must upgrade it.</p><p data-block-key="6t48p">An energy-efficient fixed heater must be one of the following:</p><ul><li data-block-key="f26ma">A non-ducted air conditioner or heat pump with a 2 star or above energy rating. A gas space heater with a 2 star or above energy rating.</li><li data-block-key="bdaqk">A ducted heating or hydronic heating system with an outlet in the main living area.</li><li data-block-key="3a9tg">A domestic solid fuel-burning appliance, such as a fireplace or wood-burning stove.</li><li data-block-key="a9p0d">In some apartment blocks, it may not be practical to install an energy-efficient heater, because of the owner’s corporation rules, or costs, for example.<ul><li data-block-key="9snfk">It may be unreasonable to install an energy-efficient heater because:<br/>It would cost more:<br/>– than the average cost of installation<br/>– to meet other Acts or local laws</li><li data-block-key="6m521">Owners corporation rules prohibit it.</li></ul></li><li data-block-key="7gcsg">If this is the case, the RRP must still install a fixed heater in the main living area. If a RRP considers that it would be unreasonable to install an energy-efficient fixed heater, they should:<ul><li data-block-key="48m0s">have evidence to show that it is unreasonable, and</li><li data-block-key="f3r5j">let the Renter know before they enter into a rental agreement.</li></ul></li></ul>

<p data-block-key="ugswk">Unsecured blind or curtain cords pose a serious risk to children, who can get tangled in loose cords.</p><p data-block-key="dear2">All corded internal window coverings in residential rental properties must have an anchor installed to ensure the cords are secured or tensioned and can’t form a loose loop.</p>

<p data-block-key="ugswk">All properties advertised for rent must now meet the Rental Minimum Standards prior to advertising. There are penalties for failing to provide a property that meets minimum standards. There are also consequences for not carrying out requested repairs to bring a property up to minimum standards.</p><p data-block-key="9gg84">If a RRP does not respond to a request for an urgent repair, the Renter may apply to VCAT for an order requiring the RRP to carry out the repairs.</p><p data-block-key="9q6e">Alternatively, if the repairs will cost less than $2500 and the Renter can afford to pay for them, then the Renter may arrange the repairs themselves. In this case, the RRP will have to pay back the Renter for the reasonable costs of repair.</p><p data-block-key="asqr9">VCAT can also order that while awaiting repairs, rent payments be redirected into a rent special account for a certain amount of time, called a specified period. A rent special account is a trust account that can hold rent that would usually go to the RRP.</p><p data-block-key="afqgs">At the end of the specified period:</p><ul><li data-block-key="6ld3v">If the urgent repairs have been made, the RRP can apply for VCAT to pay them the rent in the rent special account.</li><li data-block-key="688a1">If the repairs have not been made and the property does not meet the minimum standards, the Renter can apply to VCAT to pay them some or all of the rent in the rent special account.</li></ul><p data-block-key="d9srq">Thus, it’s essential to ensure that your property meets the minimum standards.</p>