Landlords and property managers across Victoria are about to face a fresh wave of accountability, as sweeping new rental reforms come into effect from Sunday, 31st March 2026.
The new laws, designed to clamp down on unfair charges and confusion in the rental process, will see agents fined for asking tenants to pay third-party app fees—a move the state government says will make finding a home “fairer, faster, and more affordable”.
Under the changes, real estate agents and landlords must use a standardised rental application form, ensuring consistent and simplified information requests across the state.
The form will also limit what landlords and agents can ask tenants, after complaints surged during the pandemic-era rental crunch about overly personal questions—such as requests for photos or social media profiles.
Fees Banned & Fines Introduced
One of the headline changes bans third-party payment fees—the small but frustrating surcharges often added when rent is paid via apps such as RentPay or DEFT. These charges, previously absorbed by renters, will now land with landlords or property managers who insist on such platforms.
Businesses caught breaching the rules could face penalties of more than $12,000, while individuals risk fines of around $2,400.
“More and more Victorians are renting, [and] with new laws to protect their rights,” said Consumer Affairs Minister Nick Staikos, who described the reforms as part of a broader effort to tackle “unfair and excessive charges during the cost-of-living crisis.”
Rent Hikes Come Under Scrutiny
The reforms also tighten restrictions around how landlords can increase rent. Consumer Affairs Victoria will now require agents to justify any proposed rent increase against inflation and comparable market rates, and it will more closely assess what counts as an “excessive” increase.
It builds on previous reforms introduced in November that banned rental bidding, ended “no-fault” evictions and required a minimum 90-day notice before rent can go up—changes Tenants Victoria described at the time as “the strongest renter protections the state has ever seen.”
Additional Changes From 2027
While renters may not immediately notice, more changes are already on the horizon. From March 2027, new energy efficiency standards will roll out, forcing landlords to upgrade homes with ceiling insulation, efficient cooling systems and water-saving fittings.
By July 2030, every rental property in Victoria will need to meet minimum cooling requirements.
Tenants Victoria CEO Jennifer Beveridge says the shift is long overdue. “For too long, renters have had to put up with freezing winters and stifling summers in drafty properties,” she said.
“These standards will go a long way to improving comfort and cutting energy bills.”
A Growing Renter State
With nearly two million Victorians now living in rental homes, momentum for reform has been building for years. Demand remains fierce across Melbourne’s inner suburbs, with vacancy rates hovering near historic lows and competition still intense at open inspections.
The state government says these changes aim to “rebalance” a market long weighted in favour of property owners. But some agent groups warn further tightening could discourage landlords from staying in the market—an issue policymakers will need to keep under review as the new rules bed in.
For renters, though, the reforms can’t come soon enough. “Anything that makes the process more transparent or cuts those weird hidden fees is a good thing,” she said.
“We just want a fair shot at getting a home.”