Many Victorian renters believe their homes still fail to meet minimum standards

Non‑compliance with Victoria’s rental minimum standards remains a significant concern, with thousands of renters reporting that their homes still fall short of basic safety and liveability requirements.

Research commissioned by RACV found that only 48 per cent of renters believed their property met minimum standards - a stark contrast to the 72 per cent of rental providers who believed they were compliant.

Data from the Consumer Policy Research Centre shows little improvement in 2025 with a concerningly high number of renters and rental providers believing that their property failed one or more minimum standards.

Victoria’s rental minimum standards are designed to ensure all rental properties are safe, secure and liveable. They cover essentials such as structural soundness, ventilation, heating, mould prevention and gas and electrical safety.

The 2024 RACV research also revealed that fewer than 25 per cent of renters asked for information on gas and electrical safety checks before signing a lease. A quarter of renters reported receiving no information about these checks at all, despite this being a legal requirement.

RACV General Manager of Corporate Affairs Liz Carey said the findings highlight the ongoing disconnect between how renters and rental providers understand and communicate minimum standards requirements.

“The results of these studies show that this disconnect remains a real concern for Victorians,” Ms Carey said.

“Without a clear and formal way for rental providers or property managers to communicate that a property meets minimum standards, renters are often left guessing.

“For rental providers who are doing the right thing, there’s also no consistent guidance on how to share this information with renters in a simple, transparent way.

“We are calling for clarity on when rental providers are required to provide information to renters, and how that information should be communicated. There are tools and resources available, but this data shows the need for a formal mechanism where all parties can share verified, up‑to‑date information about a property.”

The RACV research also showed that while most rental providers understand their obligations, 29 per cent were not aware of their legal requirement to meet minimum standards. Awareness was particularly low among self‑managing rental providers: only 59 per cent recognised that ensuring the property meets minimum standards is their responsibility, compared with significantly higher awareness among those using property managers.

“Disagreements, avoidable urgent repair requests and lower standards of living can all occur when renters and rental providers don’t share a common understanding of a property’s condition,” Ms Carey said.

“A formal mechanism to communicate that a property meets minimum standards would improve transparency, reduce disputes and give renters more confidence in the homes they choose - while also giving rental providers confidence that they’re meeting their obligations.

“We are encouraging the Victorian Government to review the current requirements and mandate clearer, upfront communication to help renters make informed decisions.”

Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997, it is a criminal offence to allow a new renter to move into a property that does not meet minimum standards. Individuals may face penalties of up to $12,210, while companies can face fines of up to $61,053.