Checklist: Rental Properties Minimum Standards
From 25 November 2025, your property must meet all minimum standards before it is advertised for rent. These fall into 15 key categories, expanding to 19 categories from March 2027 as new energy-efficiency standards phase in.
Additionally, from 13 October 2026, property managers and rental providers must hold supporting records that demonstrate the rental property meets all minimum standards.
Current 15 Minimum Standards Checklist
- Bathroom
Functional washbasin and a shower or bath supplied with hot and cold water.
Showers must feature a minimum 3-star WELS water efficiency rating. (Note: From 1 March 2027, new agreements or periodic conversions will require a 4-star WELS rating).
- Electrical Safety
Modern switchboards fitted with circuit breakers and safety switches (residual current devices) that comply with current safety regulations.
- Heating
An operational fixed heater in the main living area. Must be an energy-efficient system for agreements signed from March 2023 onward. (Note: From 1 March 2027, when an existing heater reaches end of life, it must be replaced with an energy-efficient electric system, such as reverse-cycle air conditioning).
- Kitchen
A dedicated cooking and food preparation area.
Functional sink with hot and cold water.
Operational stovetop with two or more burners, and a working oven (if installed).
- Laundry
If a laundry area is provided on the premises, it must have functional hot and cold water supply.
- Lighting
All habitable rooms, hallways, and functional areas must have access to natural daylight during the day and adequate artificial lighting at night.
- Locks
All external entry doors (excluding flyscreens or storm doors) must be fitted with a functional lock that can be secured from the outside and opened from the inside without a key.
- Mould & Damp
All rooms must be completely free from mould and dampness caused by or related to the building structure.
- Structural Soundness
The property must be fully weatherproof, structurally sound, and maintained in a safe condition.
- Toilets
Must be in good working order and connected to an approved sewage or wastewater treatment system, located in a dedicated or appropriately combined room.
- Ventilation
Adequate natural or mechanical airflow in all habitable rooms, including wet areas such as bathrooms and laundries.
- Vermin-Proof Bins
Standard council-compliant rubbish and recycling bins must be provided for the property.
- Window Coverings
Curtains or blinds must be installed in all bedrooms and main living areas to provide privacy and block light.
- Windows
External windows that are capable of opening must have functional latches or locks to secure the property against unauthorized entry.
- Blind Cord Anchors
From 1 December 2025, all internal window coverings with cords or chains must be secured with safety anchors to prevent strangulation hazards in compliance with safety regulations.
Phasing In From 2027: New Energy-Efficiency Standards
- Cooling
From 1 March 2027: At the start of a new rental agreement or conversion to a periodic (month-to-month) lease, a fixed energy-efficient cooling system must be installed in the main living area (minimum 3-star energy rating, or 2-star for a central system). Existing non-efficient fixed coolers must be upgraded at end-of-life.
From 1 July 2030: This standard applies to all active residential rentals regardless of lease start dates.
- Ceiling Insulation
From 1 March 2027: At the start of a new agreement or periodic conversion, ceiling insulation meeting a minimum performance rating of R5.0 must be installed by an accredited professional in any uninsulated ceiling spaces.
- Hot Water Systems
From 1 March 2027: When an existing hot water system reaches end-of-life, it must be replaced with an energy-efficient electric system (such as a heat pump hot water unit).
- Draughtproofing
From 1 July 2027: At the start of a new agreement or periodic conversion, all external doors, openable external windows, and unsealed wall vents must be properly sealed to prevent unnecessary thermal loss or gain.