Minimum Standards in Melbourne: Why Your Rental Property Must Be Compliant Before Advertising
For rental providers across Melbourne, the rules around preparing a home for lease have changed — and expectations are now far more strict under the Residential Tenancies Act. Whether your property is in an established suburb or a newly built estate, meeting the minimum standards before advertising isn’t optional. It’s a legal requirement.
Here’s what every rental provider needs to know before going live.
Minimum Standards Must Be Met Before Advertising
One of the biggest shifts in the Act is simple but firm:
a rental property cannot be advertised unless it already meets minimum standards.
The old “we’ll fix that later” mindset is no longer acceptable. Any essential repairs, safety issues or compliance gaps need to be resolved first. Listing the property while non-compliant is a breach in itself — and comes with significant fines.
Planning ahead is now an essential part of leasing.
The Hidden Risks for Remote or Long-Distance Investors
Many Melbourne rental providers haven’t seen their property in years — especially those living interstate or overseas. That distance makes it easy for issues to go unnoticed until the current renter vacates.
Common problems that appear in Melbourne’s varied climate include:
Mould build-up around windows and bathrooms
Poor or inadequate ventilation
Wear and tear from damp, cold and seasonal changes
Heating or draught-proofing issues in older homes
These can all impact compliance — and stop a property from being legally advertised.
Common Non-Compliance Surprises
During pre-advertising and vacate inspections, some of the most frequent non-compliance items we find include:
Mould in wet areas and around window frames
Exhaust fans that don’t meet functional requirements
Worn-out or damaged fixtures
Missing or expired smoke alarms
Lapsed safety checks
Heating that doesn’t meet minimum standards
These issues are especially common in colder parts of Melbourne — but they appear everywhere, across old and new builds.
Why Advertising Early Is a No-Go
The Residential Tenancies Act is clear: a property cannot be advertised if it does not meet minimum standards.
This is why we won’t — and legally can’t — list a home that isn’t compliant. Doing otherwise puts both the rental provider and the agency at risk.
This isn’t us being difficult; it’s about protecting owners from unnecessary fines, disputes and legal consequences.
What CAV’s Compliance Taskforce Actually Does
CAV (Consumer Affairs Victoria) now has a dedicated taskforce that monitors rental properties for compliance. They actively:
Check online rental listings
Attend open for inspections
Investigate properties that appear non-compliant
If a breach is identified, they act — and the rental provider is the one liable.
The Financial and Legal Consequences
Many rental providers underestimate the consequences of allowing a renter to move into a non-compliant property. Under the Act, this is an offence.
Penalties currently sit at:
$11,000+ for individuals
$59,000+ for companies
On top of this, rental providers may face:
Compensation claims
Delays caused by disputes
VCAT hearings and associated costs
Trying to “get the property online quickly” isn’t worth the risk.
Repairs Are Cheaper Than Penalties
It’s normal to want a fast turnaround between tenancies, but rushing the process can backfire. Early repairs — even small jobs — will always cost less than:
Non-compliance fines
Advertising delays
Compensation disputes
Renting the property at a reduced rate because issues weren’t resolved properly
A planned approach is always more cost-effective.
How to Stay Ahead: Use the Checklist
We encourage rental providers to use a pre-advertising checklist to identify compliance gaps early. Our in-house checklist covers:
Minimum standards
Heating and ventilation
Safety requirements
Likely trade work needed
It’s also strongly recommended to review the official CAV checklist: HERE
If you’re purchasing a new investment or converting your own home into a rental, planning ahead is essential to avoid delays.
Expect Maintenance Between Tenancies
Regardless of location, all properties experience wear — especially in Melbourne’s mix of cold winters, damp areas and varying build quality across suburbs and developments.
Rental providers should expect some level of maintenance between renters, and budgeting for this reduces stress, delays and disputes.
How to Avoid Delays and Stress
The most successful leasing campaigns are the ones where preparation starts early. To avoid unnecessary downtime:
Book a pre-advertising inspection
Approve trade quotes early
Allow reasonable lead times for repairs
Plan around seasonal conditions and trade availability
This keeps your property compliant — and helps secure a quality renter at a strong rent without unexpected hurdles.
If you’d like to arrange a pre-advertising inspection or need help preparing your property for leasing, I’m here to make it easy from start to finish.