The Consumer and Planning Legislation Amendment (Housing Statement Reform) Act 2025, was passed in the Victorian Parliament in March 2025. Some of the rental reforms were implemented in November and December 2025, with the next round coming into effect on the 31st March, 2026.
From that date rental providers and agents are required to use the prescribed form for rental agreement applications, as set out in the regulations.
Changes regarding the type of information that can be asked of rental applicants also comes into effect at the end of March. This means rental providers will follow clear rules that limit them to collecting only the information that is necessary to assess an applicant’s suitability as a renter, to confirm their identity, and to reflect their capacity to pay the advertised rent.
From the 31st March 2026, only rental providers, agents and banks will be able to charge fees for rental applications or rent payments, with third party businesses banned from charging these fees. Rental providers and agents may still use third party platforms but it will be an offence to charge fees to a renter.
Rent increase investigations are also changing as of the 31st March 2026, giving powers to the Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), and Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria which allow them to consider additional factors when determining whether a proposed rent increase is excessive.
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By Wendy Chamberlain
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