Victoria's New Rental Laws: What Geelong Investors Need to Know

By Victoria Whittaker · Updated October 2026 · 6 min read

Victoria has changed its rental laws again.

Some of the changes are small.

Some of them change how you should assess an investment property before you buy it.

Here is what has changed, and what I would be thinking about if you are buying a rental in Geelong, on the Bellarine or on the Surf Coast.

What Changed in November 2025

The biggest group of reforms took effect on 25 November 2025.

• Minimum standards before advertising. A property must now meet the rental minimum standards before it is advertised or offered for rent. Advertising one that does not is an offence.
• No more no-fault evictions. Rental providers need a valid reason to ask a renter to leave, including at the end of a fixed-term lease.
• Longer notice periods. Notice for a rent increase, and for some notices to vacate, has gone from 60 days to 90 days.
• Smoke alarms. They must be correctly installed and tested every 12 months.
• No rental bidding. Agents cannot accept rent above the advertised amount.

What Has Changed Since

From 1 December 2025, blind and curtain cords must be anchored so they cannot form loose loops.

From 31 March 2026, renters apply using a standard application form, and businesses can no longer charge fees for rental applications or for paying rent.

The Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria and VCAT also now have more factors to weigh up when deciding whether a rent increase is excessive.

Why This Matters Before You Buy

Most of these changes are about how you manage a property once you own it.

But the minimum standards rule changes how you should look at a property before you buy it.

If the property does not meet the standards, you cannot advertise it for rent until it does.

That means any work it needs is now a cost, and a delay, that sits between settlement and your first rent payment.

On an older weatherboard in Belmont or Newcomb, or a dated beach house in Ocean Grove, that can include heating, window coverings, ventilation, locks or electrical work.

None of that is a reason not to buy.

It is a reason to know the cost before you make your offer.

The End of No-Fault Evictions

This one matters most if you think you might sell, renovate or move in down the track.

You can no longer simply ask a renter to leave at the end of a lease without a valid reason.

So if your long-term plan is to live in the property one day, or sell it with vacant possession, that needs to be part of your strategy from the start.

Equally, if you are buying a property with a renter already in place, you are buying that tenancy as well. Read the lease and the rental history carefully.

Rent Increases and Cash Flow

With 90 days' notice now required for a rent increase, there is a longer gap between a cost going up and your rent catching up.

If interest rates, insurance or land tax rise, you will carry that difference for longer.

That is why I always suggest building a buffer into your numbers rather than relying on rent rising to cover it.

Questions to Ask Before You Buy

Does the property meet the rental minimum standards today?

If not, what will it cost to bring it up to standard, and how long will it take?

Is there a renter in place, and what does the current lease say?

Would your plan still work if you could not end the tenancy when you wanted to?

Can your cash flow absorb a cost increase for a few months before the rent moves?

The Bottom Line

Victoria's rental rules are not a reason to stop investing here.

But they do reward investors who do their homework before they buy.

The right property is one that is ready to rent, priced with any upgrades in mind, and fits a plan you can stick to.

This article is general information only and is not legal or financial advice. It is based on information published by Consumer Affairs Victoria as at October 2026. Rental laws can change, so always check the current rules with Consumer Affairs Victoria and speak to your property manager or a lawyer about your situation.