Labor is making renting fairer and more affordable.
Building on the more than 150 renters' reforms Labor has introduced, further reforms to protect renters come into effect on Tuesday.
These reforms will make finding a rental even fairer, faster and more affordable.
From Tuesday, 31 March 2026:
- Rental providers and agents will be required to use a standard form for all rental applications
- Applicants can only be asked to provide the information listed in the standard application form
- It will now be an offence for renters to be charged fees by rental apps and platforms
- Agencies will also be able to consider additional factors when determining if a rent increase is excessive.
These changes follow a suite of laws that came into effect in 2025 including:
- ensuring rentals meet minimum standards
- bans on rental bidding and no-fault evictions
- more notice for rent increases and notices to vacate.
Businesses found in breach of these laws now face fines of more than $12,000 while individuals face fines of $2,400.
Our renting taskforce also continues to monitor and ensure compliance with Victoria's new renters' rights regime.
We've also introduced a range of support initiatives to increase renters' awareness of these new rights.
Only Labor will continue to make renting fairer and more affordable.
The Liberals don't support renters' rights - they opposed our rental reforms and would strip back renter's rights.
For more info visit consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/renting.
As stated by Minister for Consumer Affairs Nick Staikos
"More and more Victorians are renting and only Labor is looking out for them - with new laws to protect their rights."
"These new laws will protect Victorians from unfair and excessive charges during the current cost of living crisis."
As stated by Member for Northern Metropolitan Region Sheena Watt
"The rental market in Melbourne's north is incredibly competitive - standard application forms and laws limiting requests for personal information will make the application process faster, fairer and more affordable."
