Victorian rental providers must now give evidence before claiming bonds

Victorian renters must now be warned before a rental provider makes a claim against their bond, while owners and agents need evidence ready before starting the claim process.

The change took effect on 13 October 2026 as part of a broader package of rental reforms. Consumer Affairs Victoria says a rental provider intending to claim some or all of a bond must notify the renter at least three business days before lodging the claim with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority.

The notice must be accompanied by evidence supporting the amount sought. That could include invoices, receipts, quotes or photographs, and the material must not contradict the property’s condition report.

The reform is designed to bring disputes into the open before money is claimed, rather than leaving renters to discover the claim after it has entered the bond system.

Condition reports become even more important

A bond may still be claimed for matters such as unpaid rent, renter-caused damage, missing items or a property that has not been left reasonably clean. Rental providers cannot claim for fair wear and tear or repairs that were their responsibility.

The starting condition report will often be central to deciding whether a claim is justified. Renters should check it carefully when moving in, add missing damage or comments, and keep their own dated photographs. Owners and agents should ensure reports are detailed, accurate and retained with maintenance records.

If the parties cannot agree, they can seek assistance through Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria. A dispute that remains unresolved may proceed to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Consumer Affairs Victoria says it is an offence for a rental provider to apply to VCAT for a bond order without supporting evidence, or with evidence that conflicts with the condition report.

Safety checks extended to older agreements

Other changes commencing on 13 October extend two-yearly gas and electrical safety checks to all Victorian rental properties. These checks had already applied to rental agreements entered into from March 2021, but the requirement now also covers continuing agreements that began earlier.

A renter in an older agreement who does not know when checks were last completed can ask the rental provider in writing. If the property was not checked within the two years before the renter moved in, the provider must arrange the checks as soon as possible.

The reforms also clarify the legal definitions of gas and electrical safety checks. Rooming house operators must keep records demonstrating compliance with minimum standards.

Rental providers planning draughtproofing work face an additional safety step where a property has gas appliances, fixtures or fittings. A licensed or registered gasfitter must conduct a gas safety check within the six months before that work begins.

This requirement arrives ahead of Victoria’s phased minimum energy-efficiency standards from March 2027. Consumer Affairs Victoria warns that sealing a property without first checking certain gas appliances can create ventilation and safety risks.

Practical steps before a tenancy ends

The new bond process does not prevent legitimate claims, but it changes their timing and documentation. Owners and agents should inspect promptly, compare the property with the original condition report and assemble evidence before notifying the renter.

Renters receiving a notice should review each item rather than treating the proposed deduction as final. Photographs, emails reporting earlier damage, repair requests and the signed condition report may all be relevant.

Both sides may benefit from discussing disputed items during the three-business-day notice period. Reaching agreement before a formal claim can reduce delays and the need for dispute resolution.

What it means for you

• Renters must receive advance notice and evidence before a bond claim is lodged.
• Owners and agents should keep invoices, photographs, safety records and accurate condition reports.
• Gas and electrical checks now apply to Victorian rentals regardless of when the agreement began.
• A proposed landlord licensing system reported on Tuesday is not part of these changes and is not current law.