Domain Lease

To Landlords / Rental Providers - Fee changes All rent increases will attract a fee of the rent amount change, in most casues this is a decrease in a fee compared

You must sign a new authority if you still want to contuine with Domain RE Vic as your leasing agent with the new laws NOV 2024

Domain Real Estate - Quick Guide to Minimum Standard Changed to Residential, and Safety Check, Urgent Repairs $2500, Tenancy Act from 29th March 2021

Door locks

• All external entry doors to the rented premises which are not able to be secured with a functioning deadlock, other than any screen door attached to an external door, must at least be fitted with a locking device that:

• is operated by a key from the outside and

• may be locked from the inside with or without a key

• This does not apply to a front door that opens to common property (e.g. entrance to an apartment building)

• This does not apply if the property is a registered place and a request for a permit to comply with this standard has been refused under the Heritage Act 2017.

Ventilation

• Must be supplied by local council and compliant with council regulations.

Vermin proof bins

• Must be supplied by local council and compliant with council regulations.

Toilets

• Rented premises must contain a toilet in working order

• connected to an appropriate waste system

• must be in a room or structure intended to be used as a toilet area.

Bathroom facilities

• Reasonable hot and cold water supply

• washbasin, shower/bath

• minimum 3 star rated showerheads.

Kitchen facilities

• Dedicated food preparation area

• sink with hot and cold water

• if there is an oven it must be in working order

• stovetop in good working order that has two or more burners

• this does not apply if the property is a registered place and a request for a permit to comply with this standard has been refused under the Heritage Act 2017.

Laundry facilities

• If provided, must be connected to a reasonable amount of hot and cold water.

Structural soundness

• Rented premises to be structurally sound and weatherproof.

Mould and dampness

• Each room free from mould and damp caused by the building structure.

Electrical safety

• Must have electrical safety switches installed from 29 March 2023.

Window coverings

• All windows in bedrooms and living area must have coverings that can block light and provide privacy from 29 March 2022.

Windows

• External windows that can be opened must be able to be set in open/closed position

• if there are no locks there must be latches to secure against external entry.

Lighting

• Interior rooms and corridors must have appropriate access to light, it can be natural or artificial

• Any habitable rooms (such as a bedroom, living room or study) must have access to natural light and artificial light.

Heating

• Phased approach to reforms – over a 3 year period

• On and from 29 March 2021, a fixed heater in the main living area will be required for all rented premises including Class 1 properties (attached and detached houses) and Class 2 properties (multi-unit residential buildings)

• If a fixed heater in the main living area has not been installed, an energy efficient heater (2 star minimum) must be installed

• From 29 March 2023, an energy efficient fixed heater (minimum 2 star rated) in the main living area will be required for all rented premises

• If the rental property is in a class 2 building (apartment block) and it is not feasible to install an energy efficient heater, (e.g. due to Owner’s Corporation rules or excessive costs), then the energy efficiency requirement does not apply, but a fixed heater is still required.

When will these standards begin to apply?

The minimum standards will be phased in and will only apply when a new residential rental agreement begins on or after 29 March 2021.

What if the rental property doesn’t meet the minimum standards?

If the rental property does not meet the minimum standards, the renter can end the rental agreement before they move in.

Renters can also request an urgent repair to make the rental property meet the minimum standards at any time after they move in.

Residential rental providers have certain responsibilities for gas and electrical safety.

Guide for rental providers - Gas and electricity safety checks

Rental providers who enter into a new agreement on or after 29 March 2021, or have a fixed term agreement of more than five years which rolls over into a periodic tenancy on or after 29 March 2021, must undertake gas and electricity safety checks.

Gas safety check

The rental provider must ensure that a gas safety check of all gas installations and fittings on the premises is conducted every two years by a licensed or registered gasfitter who is endorsed to service Type A gas appliances. If requested, they must also provide the renter with the date of the most recent safety check in writing.

If a gas safety check has not been conducted within the last two years at the time the renter occupies the premises, the rental provider must arrange a gas safety check as soon as practicable.

Finding a licensed gas fitter

• A licensed gas fitter is a plumber who has extra qualifications to complete gas work safely, and is registered with the Victorian Building Authority.

• You can find licensed gas fitters by searching online or using a directory such as the Yellow Pages.

• You should ask to see the card that says the plumber is qualified to carry out gas fitting work.

What the gas check covers (from a technical perspective)

A gas safety check means:

a) the following gas installation checks -

1. that LPG cylinders and associated gas components are installed correctly;

2. that appliance gas isolation valves are installed where required by AS/NZS 5601.1 "Gas installations", as published or amended from time to time;

3. that gas appliances and their components are accessible for servicing and adjustment;

4. that the gas installation is electrically safe;

5. that clearances from appliances to combustible surfaces are in accordance with installation instructions and AS/NZS5601.1 "Gas installations", as published or amended from time to time;

6. that there is adequate ventilation for appliances to operate safely;

7. that gas appliances (including cookers) are adequately restrained from tipping over;

8. checking the condition of gas appliance flue systems, including chimneys

9. checking gas appliances for evidence of certification; and

(b) testing gas installations for leakage; and

1. a clean of all dust and debris from appliances including burner, pilot, fan, filters and air intakes;

2. a check of the integrity of the heat exchanger;

3. a check of the gas supply and appliance operating pressures;

4. a check that the gas appliance burner ignition is reliable and complete;

5. a check for any gas appliance flame abnormality;

6. a check of the operation of the gas appliance, including safety devices;

7. a combustion spillage test in accordance with Appendix F of AS4575 "Gas appliances— Servicing of Type A appliances", as published or amended from time to time, after service or repair of the heater.

Evidence of gas safety check

The gas fitter should provide a record of the gas safety check. The document must include:

• the full name and business details, including the licence or registration number, of the gas fitter who did the check

• the date the safety check was conducted

• the results of the check, including any servicing and repairs required and actions taken to address the repair.

Record keeping

Your record of a gas safety check can be either of the following:

• a compliance certificate (if applicable)

• a document from the licensed gas fitter who carried out the safety check.

If you have further gas work carried out after the check, you must also keep the compliance certificate or tax invoice relating to that work.

You must keep the records, including details of the licensed gasfitter, until a record of the next safety check is created.

A copy of the most recent gas safety check must be provided to the renter within seven days after the rental provider receives a written request from the renter.

Electrical safety check

Rental providers must ensure that an electrical safety check of all electrical installations and fittings in the premises (in accordance with section 4 of AS/NZS 3019 "Electrical installations—Periodic verification") is conducted every two years by a licensed electrician that is employed by a Registered Electrical Contractor or a Registered Electrical Contractor. If requested, they must also provide the renter with the date of the most recent safety check, in writing.

If an electrical safety check has not been conducted within the last two years at the time the renter occupies the premises, the residential rental provider must arrange an electrical safety check as soon as practicable.

If the safety check shows that electrical repairs are needed to make the property safe, a rental provider should hire a Registered Electrical Contractor to do the repair work.

Finding a licensed electrician

• A Registered Electrical Contractor employs Electricians that are licensed through Energy Safe Victoria.

• You should ensure that the Registered Electrical Contractor you hire has public liability insurance. Public liability insurance will cover damage if an electrician causes any damage to the property or other people.

• Registered Electrical Contractors are required to hold public liability insurance which will cover their business and any licensed electricians working for them.

• You can find a Registered Electrical Contractor by searching the web or by visiting the Energy Safe Victoria website.

• You should ask to see the card that provides their electrical licence details.

If you need repairs done after the electrical safety check, you will need to hire a Registered Electrical Contractor. A certificate of Electrical Safety must be completed for any repairs performed on the electrical installation.

Evidence of electrical safety checks

The electrician should provide a record of the electrical safety check, which must include:

• the full name and business details, including the licence or registration number, of the electrician who did the check

• the date of the safety check

• the results of the check, including any repairs that were required and actions taken to address the repair

• confirmation that all installations and fittings have been checked and found safe

Record keeping

A record of an electrical safety check may be any of the following:

• a compliance certificate

• a document from the electrician

• an ‘’Electrical Installation audit report’

A record of the most recent electrical safety check must be kept until a record of the next safety check is created.

A copy of the most recent gas safety check must be provided to the renter within seven days after the rental provider receives a written request from the renter.

Energy Safe Victoria is currently developing further guidance on gas and electrical safety checks, which will be made available shortly.

Urgent repairs

The monetary limit on what renters can expend on urgent repairs will be $2,500 from 29 March 2021. Rental providers (landlords) must pay renters back for urgent repairs within seven days of them claiming the cost of repairs

Major statement 29/7/2024

To all our customers.

Sarov P/L t/a Domain Real Estate Vic has decided not to increase the price of our services to our paid landlords with existing clients.

This decision is going to cost Domain Real Estate Vic financially hence without the increase the cost of inflation, insurance, professional costs, our advertising, VCAT fees, sundries, stationary, power, gas, mobile, equipment and many other costs have substantially increased costing to management of property is no longer viable at the current rate. The directors and management have decided not to cut the services under the Estate Agents (Professional Conduct) Regulations 2018

This means we are collecting rent on your behalf and adhere to the Residential Tenancy Act 1997 as the time of the lease.

All other activities, not including any law in the residential tenancy act 1997 that is required must be paid separately. Safety checks are the responsibly of the owner and since 2021 you have been reminder to complete your checks. The new minimum standards have been published on our website since its introduction. Our services in urgent repirs have also changed and you have been informed.

For more information and how this affects your property please contact use from you latest email, or form on contact us.

Update 2/12/24 to rental providers

Every rental provider has been updated to advise the rental is advisory in every existing lease and rent collection until advised to by the rental provider as to the Residential tenancy Act. We will advise every existing renter and new renter in transfers and new authorities signed from 2025 and if the rental provider wants to continue with Sarov Pty Ltd t/a Domain Real Estate Vic

Service Commitment keeping rents lower

To Landlords / Rental Providers - Fee changes All rent increases will attract a fee of the rent amount change, in most casues this is a decrease in a fee compared

You must sign a new authority if you still want to contuine with Domain RE Vic as your leasing agent with the new laws NOV 2024

WE WILL NOT LEASE A PROPERTY WITHOUT SAFTEY CHECKS AND CHECKLIST COMPLETE - PLEASE USE ANOTHER AGENT OR YOURSELF IF YOUR PROPERTY IS NON-COMPLIANT

Blind Cords

New curtain and blind cord safety standard

Loose curtain and blind cords, especially those with loops, are a fatal strangulation hazard for children.

From 1 December 2025, all internal window coverings with cords in rental properties must:

avoid loose or low-hanging cords

• secure loose or low-hanging curtain and blind cords so they can’t form a loop

have safety devices

• install a tensioning device (also known as a cord guide, cord holder or cleat) to hold the cord tight against the wall

follow the safety product’s installation instructions

• use the components specified in the instructions to meet safety requirements

Learn more about the new safety standard and your obligations.

https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/consumers-and-businesses/products-and-services/product-safety/curtain-and-blind-cord-safety

Example article for marketing materials – curtain and blind cord campaign

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Make your curtain and blind cords safe

[Insert name] encourages you to make your curtain and blind cords safe by requesting a free safety kit from Consumer Affairs Victoria.

Tragically, at least 15 Australian children have died in strangling incidents related to blind and curtain cords since the early 1990s.

Children - particularly infants - can become entangled in looped curtain and blind cords. This includes cords they can reach from furniture, beds or cots.

Although safety standards now apply to new curtain or blind cords, you should check all cords in your home to make sure they are safe.

Request a free and easy-to-install safety kit from Consumer Affairs Victoria at consumer.vic.gov.au/curtainandblindcordsafety

Rental Providers Act Now

New Laws to come into effect

Published:

Wednesday 27 November 2024

The Allan Labor Government is making renting fairer by legislating a raft of rights for renters and announcing new reforms to give regulators more power to stop excessive rent increases and ensure rentals meet basic standards.

Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Consumer Affairs Gabrielle Williams today announced the Labor Government will introduce the Consumer and Planning Legislation Amendment (Housing Statement Reform) Bill into the Victorian Parliament.

The Bill delivers on a raft of reforms and rights for renters the Labor Government has already announced, plus the new crack down on excessive rent increases and dodgy rentals.

More power to stop excessive rent increases

Currently, rent reviews are a remedy available to tenants who believe a rent increase is excessive. Consumer Affairs Victoria can investigate and help parties negotiate an outcome, or the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal can hear evidence from parties to determine the validity of a rent increase.

But right now, there are limited grounds which can be considered by the rent review process – and the size of the rent increase itself isn't one of them. Whether a rent is raised by 10 per cent or 200 per cent, a renter has no ability to have that taken into account through a rent review process.

Similarly, if the landlord has not made required repairs to the property – for example, if a rental had a mould issue that had been raised and hadn’t been resolved, and the rent was still increased – a renter currently has no ability to have that considered through a rent review process.

That’s why, for the first time in decades, the Labor Government will expand the list of factors considered by Consumer Affairs Victoria and VCAT in rent reviews.

Subject to consultation with industry, this is proposed to include the size of the rent increase, and any other improvements that have (or haven’t) been made at the property since the last increase in rent.

Making sure rentals meet basic standards

Currently rentals must meet minimum standards when a renter moves into a property. These are basic things most people would reasonably expect in a home – a functional kitchen, lockable external doors, and being structurally sound and free from mould and damp.

Despite these minimum standards being already required under the law, too often renters are moving into properties that still require urgent repairs or maintenance to comply with the standards on day one.

New tenants should be able to focus on where they put their couch, not worrying about if they need to go to VCAT because the mould in the bathroom that was promised to be removed following the inspection is still there.

That’s why the Labor Government is making it mandatory for properties to meet minimum standards when they are advertised for rent – not just when the tenant picks up the keys.

The Bill will introduce maximum penalties for rental providers and their agents of more than $11,000 for individuals and $59,000 for companies who advertise or offer to let rental properties that do not meet the minimum standards.

New legislation to make renting fairer

The Bill delivers on a raft of reforms and rights for renters already announced in the Housing Statement in 2023 and the Government’s fortnight of housing announcements in October 2024. The Bill will:

Remove all no-fault (or no-cause) evictions so you can’t be kicked out of your home for no reason
Ban all types of rental bidding
Increase the notice period for rent increases and notices to vacate to 90 days
Make rental applications easier and protect the privacy of renters by introducing obligations around the use, collection and destruction of renters’ personal information
Introduce mandatory training, licensing and registration for real estate agents, property managers, conveyancers and owners corp managers
Introduce tougher penalties for real estate agents and sellers who break the law
Require rental properties to have yearly smoke alarm safety checks
Establish Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria
Ban third party businesses, particularly rent tech apps, from charging extra fees when you pay your own rent or apply for a property.

In October 2024, the Labor Government announced additional reforms to make renting fairer. These are under development and will be introduced in a Bill next year. They include:

Banning agents and owners from charging extra fees when you pay your own rent or apply for a property
Stopping landlords making dubious bond claims without sufficient evidence
Capping the cost of breaking a lease so no one pays an unfair amount in compensation
Making it clear that if you need an extra key or fob for your apartment, you get one – and making it an offence to terminate electronic access unless it’s part of the process of terminating a rental agreement.

These reforms build on the more than 130 rental reforms already implemented in Victoria by the Labor Government, which is leading the nation on renters’ rights.

Quotes attributable to Premier Jacinta Allan

“We’re building more homes for renters to live in, and we’re legislating more rights so renters get more respect.”

“It’s not fair that a renter can cop a 200 per cent rent increase just because they’ve asked for a basic issue to be fixed – so we’re putting the brakes on excessive rent increases and ensuring properties meet minimum standards.”

“New tenants should be able to focus on where they put their couch, not worrying about if they need to go to VCAT because the mould in the bathroom that was supposed to be removed after the inspection is still there.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Consumer Affairs Gabrielle Williams

“We're giving regulators more powers to stop excessive rent hikes, particularly if the landlord hasn't maintained the property.”

“This is about making the rental market fairer for everyone – the new legislation will upskill real estate agents, give them clearer rules to follow and provide renters with better protections.”

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