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New VIC Rental Law Changes from 25 November 2025

By

Michael Gilbert

•

27

November 2025

For homeowners

From 25 November 2025 new rental laws took effect in Victoria. These changes apply to every rental provider and influence how notices, minimum standards, rent increases, and safety checks must be handled.

This guide summarises the changes in plain language so you can understand how they affect your decisions and your costs as a property owner.

Cubbi has already updated all workflows and notices. The complex compliance parts are handled for you, but it is still important to understand the key differences.

Summary of the new laws

These changes apply to all rental properties in Victoria, even if the current lease started before the new laws took effect.

Change New rule Old rule Action Impact for owners
Ban on no fault evictions You cannot issue a notice to vacate without a valid reason, even at the end of a fixed term agreement. You could end the first fixed term agreement with a 60 day notice even if the renter had done nothing wrong. Cubbi creates all formal notices. Our templates and workflows are already updated. You do not need to do anything. You can no longer end a fixed term agreement without a valid reason. This means choosing the right renter matters more than ever. Treat selection as a long term decision, not just a short term match.
Rent increase notice period Renters need to be given 90 days notice before the rent can be increased. You could increase rent with 60 days notice. Cubbi notifications for lease renewals and rent increases have been updated. Choose the increase with future demand in mind, not just today’s rent level. Try the free rent increase calculator.
Notice to vacate periods extended Notices for selling, major renovations, or when you or family want to move in now require 90 days notice. These notices usually required 60 days. Our templates and workflows are already updated. You now need to plan moves earlier. Delayed decisions to sell or move back in can create months of avoidable holding time.
Ban on all rental bidding You cannot accept rent offers above your advertised price or more than 1 month rent in advance. It was already illegal to ask for higher offers, but you could accept them if a renter offered. Some owners accepted extra advance rent. Cubbi listings use a fixed advertised rent and will soon prevent applicants from editing the rent amount field when applying. Your advertised rent is now your ceiling. If demand is strong and you have time before vacancy (e.g. 4 weeks), you should consider testing a higher price to avoid underpricing.
Minimum standards at time of advertisement Your property must meet minimum standards before you advertise it. You only needed to meet minimum standards before the renter moved in. Advertising while still fixing things was common. No document required. The property just needs to meet the standards before advertising. You can only advertise once standards are met. If any work is needed, factor in extra time to avoid vacancy.
Mandatory annual smoke alarm checks Smoke alarms must be checked every 12 months for every rental, no matter when the agreement started. This duty existed since 2021, but many owners only acted at the start of a new lease or missed older agreements. You should have every check documented that the smoke alarms work. You do not need a qualified tradesperson for the yearly check, unlike Gas and Electrical safety checks, but we strongly recommend using one for reliability and record keeping. It is too risky to handle smoke alarm checks yourself (and most agents will not). Use a third party each year. The cost is about $110 per year and you can book it here.
Renter personal information rules You must protect renter data, limit use of it, and destroy or de-identify it when no longer needed. Privacy rules existed, but most small agencies and owners were not covered by the Privacy Act. Cubbi stores and manages renter data for you. We handle retention and deletion automatically. Handling renter data yourself now carries real privacy risk. Let Cubbi store and manage applications so you avoid the liability that comes with keeping or exporting personal information.
Blind cord safety anchors (from 1 December 2025) All internal window coverings must have secured cords that cannot form loops. It was strongly recommended, but it was not enforceable as a minimum standard. You can order a free safety kit here Even blinds with separate cords can still form loops. Anchor every corded blind. It is a simple fix with major safety implications and real risk if not done.

What is coming next

The biggest change expected next year is a standard rental application form for Victoria. This form will strictly limit what questions can be asked and what information owners and agents can collect. It is similar to the recent changes introduced in QLD.

You do not need to do anything. When Consumer Affairs releases the final details, Cubbi will update our application and screening process to match the new rules automatically.

You can follow official announcements here.

What owners should do now

  1. Make sure your property meets minimum standards before advertising. Any required work will delay listing and can create vacancy. Read about minimum standards for rental properties.
  2. Choose your next renter carefully. You cannot end a fixed term agreement without a valid reason, so selection now carries long term risk. Learn more about Cubbi’s professional screening.
  3. Plan major decisions earlier. Selling, moving back in, or large renovations now require 90 days notice, which can add months to your timeline. Cubbi creates the notices for you.
  4. Set rent with the next 3 months in mind. Find out when you can next increase your rent here.
  5. Anchor every corded blind and book yearly smoke alarm checks. Safety compliance is simple and avoids serious risk and liability. The cost is about $110 per year and you can book it here.

These steps keep you fully compliant and help you avoid unnecessary costs or delays under the new laws. If you want to learn more about managing your property on the Cubbi platform check our our Assisted Management platform here.

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