Investment property renovations in Melbourne and regional Victoria

A Victorian rental property must meet minimum standards in 15 categories, and from 25 November 2025 it must meet them before it is advertised. Dwellix, a registered builder (CDB-U 102264), renovates investment properties in Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo, and this page sets out what the standards require and how to plan the work around them. We don’t give financial or tax advice.

Key facts

Before advertising: from 25 November 2025, a rental must meet the minimum standards before it is advertised and before the renter moves in. (Consumer Affairs Victoria)

Electrical: since 29 March 2023, a modern switchboard with circuit breakers and safety switches. (Consumer Affairs Victoria)

Heating: for agreements from 29 March 2023, an energy-efficient fixed heater in the main living area. (Consumer Affairs Victoria)

Energy efficiency: new minimum rental standards take effect from 1 March 2027. (Consumer Affairs Victoria)

Apartments: tell your owners corporation and check its rules before you renovate. (Consumer Affairs Victoria)

Checked 8 October 2026.

What must a Victorian rental meet before it’s advertised?

Minimum standards in 15 categories, set out in Schedule 4 of the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021. These are the ones most relevant to renovation work:

Standard	What it requires
Bathroom	A washbasin and a shower or bath, with hot and cold water. Shower heads need a 3-star water efficiency rating, or 1–2 star where 3-star can’t be installed.
Kitchen and laundry	A food preparation area, a working sink with hot and cold water, and a stovetop with two or more burners. Any laundry needs hot and cold water.
Electrical	Since 29 March 2023, a modern switchboard with circuit breakers and electrical safety switches (RCDs). Older fuse boards may need replacing entirely.
Heating	A fixed heater in good working order in the main living area. For agreements from 29 March 2023 it must be energy efficient, such as a non-ducted air conditioner or heat pump rated 2 stars or above.
Structure and ventilation	Structurally sound and weatherproof, free from mould and damp caused by or related to the structure, with adequate ventilation in habitable rooms, including the bathroom, toilet and laundry.
Security and other	Functioning deadlocks on external entry doors (with listed exceptions) and latches on openable external windows; rubbish and recycling bins; from 1 December 2025, secured cords on internal window coverings.

Meeting these can involve renovation work, such as a switchboard upgrade, a new heater or a bathroom update. See bathroom and kitchen renovations.

Sources: Consumer Affairs Victoria, “Rental properties – minimum standards”; Energy Safe Victoria. Checked 8 October 2026.

What changes from 1 March 2027?

New minimum rental standards for energy efficiency take effect from 1 March 2027. Consumer Affairs Victoria publishes the details, so check its current requirements before you finalise the scope of any work.

Source: Consumer Affairs Victoria. Checked 8 October 2026.

Renovating between tenancies

A practical checklist for the gap between leases:

Scope early. Have the property inspected and the scope agreed before the current lease ends.
Check approvals. Find out whether the work needs a building permit, a planning permit or owners corporation approval, as these affect when work can start.
Do compliance items first. Start with what the standards require, such as the switchboard, heating, bathroom and ventilation, then the finishes.
Keep the paperwork. File the Certificate of Electrical Safety, any plumbing compliance certificate and any certificate of final inspection.
Re-check before advertising. Confirm the property meets the minimum standards before it is advertised.

If renters still live in the property, check your obligations with Consumer Affairs Victoria before you book work. Our building permits guide explains when a permit applies.

If your project needs a building permit, we handle the permit process for you. You formally appoint the building surveyor, and we can recommend one and manage everything with them.

Renovating a rental apartment

Tell your owners corporation and check its rules before you renovate an apartment. See Melbourne CBD.

Sources: Consumer Affairs Victoria; Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021 Census QuickStats. Checked 8 October 2026.

Finance and tax: get your own advice

Any rent or return figures are potential only, and depend on the location, the design and the market. Always seek advice from a qualified professional in the right field before you commit: ask your accountant or a registered tax agent how the work is treated for tax, and a licensed finance broker or your lender about funding it. Building a granny flat to rent instead? See building a granny flat to rent out.

How a Dwellix renovation runs

Initial enquiry and consultation.
Site inspection and assessment. We inspect the property and agree the scope with you. If your property manager has raised any minimum-standards items, tell us so we can include them in the scope.
Detailed scope preparation.
Quotation and client approval.
Contracts, approvals and permits where required.
Trade scheduling and procurement.
Construction and project supervision.
Relevant inspections and quality checks.
Practical completion and handover. You receive the keys, the compliance certificates for any plumbing and electrical work, the certificate of final inspection where the work has a building permit, and the manufacturer warranties and manuals for what we install.

Frequently asked questions

Does a rental property have to meet the minimum standards before it’s advertised?

Yes. From 25 November 2025, a Victorian rental property must meet the minimum standards in 15 categories before it is advertised, and before the renter moves in. The standards cover matters such as the bathroom, kitchen, heating, electrical safety, ventilation, locks and window coverings.

What does a rental property bathroom need in Victoria?

A washbasin and a shower or bath, with hot and cold water. Shower heads need a 3-star water efficiency rating, or 1–2 star where 3-star can’t be installed. The bathroom also needs adequate ventilation, and rooms must be free from mould and damp caused by or related to the building structure.

Are rental property renovations tax deductible?

That’s a question for your accountant or a registered tax agent, because Dwellix doesn’t give tax advice. We set out the scope of the work in writing, and your adviser can tell you how it’s treated for tax in your circumstances.

What are the new rental energy efficiency standards?

New minimum rental standards for energy efficiency take effect in Victoria from 1 March 2027. Consumer Affairs Victoria publishes the details, so check its current requirements before you plan work on a rental property.

Enquire about your rental

Enquire and tell us about the property. Prefer email? Write to sales@dwellix.com.au.

General information only, not financial or tax advice, checked 8 October 2026. Rules change; confirm requirements for your property with your building surveyor or council.