From 25 November 2025, new rental reforms in Victoria will enforce stronger tenant rights and stricter landlord responsibilities. These changes are particularly significant for those renting furnished apartments in Melbourne, as well as for tenants in fully furnished rentals across Sydney, Adelaide, and Perth. Landlords managing furnished properties nationwide will also need to adapt to meet the updated standards.
What’s Changing: Key Reforms
According to Consumer Affairs Victoria, the reforms aim to make renting “fairer and more secure.” Here are some of the most important measures:
- Ban on “no-fault” evictions: Landlords will no longer be allowed to evict tenants without a valid reason when a fixed-term lease ends. Unless both parties agree to renew, the lease will convert to a periodic (month-to-month) agreement.
- Longer notice periods: Renters will now receive 90 days’ notice for rent increases and certain eviction notices — giving them more time to plan financially or find alternative housing.
- Ban on rental bidding: Landlords and agents can no longer accept offers above the advertised rent, or ask for more than one month’s rent in advance.
- Stricter advertising standards: Rental properties must meet minimum standards at the time they are advertised, not just before a tenant moves in.
- New safety standard for internal window coverings: From 1 December 2025, all internal blind or curtain cords must have secured cord anchors to prevent safety hazards.
Why These Reforms Matter for Furnished Rentals
For renters of furnished apartments in Perth and other furnished properties across Australia, these changes could bring several benefits and a greater layer of protection:
- Better stability and security
Furnished apartments are often used by people on shorter-term assignments (like corporate relocations, contractors, or travelling professionals). The ban on no-fault evictions and the automatic conversion to a periodic lease mean that tenants may have more confidence in their housing stability—especially important when they’ve invested in setting up a temporary “home.”
- Clearer financial planning
With 90 days’ notice for rent increases, tenants in furnished properties will have more time to budget. This is crucial when the cost of fully furnished rentals is usually higher to reflect the value of the furniture and appliances included.
- Improved quality and safety
Requiring minimum standards before advertising means that any furnished apartment listed must already meet safety benchmarks. Renters can expect that the property is up to standard from the first day — reducing the risk of moving into a substandard unit.
The safety upgrade for window coverings is also a win: secure blind cords help prevent accidents, an often-overlooked issue in family-sized furnished units.
- Greater fairness in listings
The prohibition of rental bidding means that those looking for fully furnished rentals won’t be pushed into a bidding war. This levels the playing field and could help keep advertised rents more transparent and accessible.
Challenges and Considerations
While the reforms offer strong protection for renters of furnished apartments, there could be some trade-offs:
- Landlord compliance burden: Property owners will need to verify and certify that their property meets the minimum standards before advertising. For landlords of furnished properties, this may mean assessing and upgrading furnishings, appliances, and safety features to comply.
- Potential cost pressures: Upgrading to meet new energy efficiency, heating, or safety standards may result in higher costs for rental providers, which could, in turn, be passed down to tenants—especially in fully furnished homes.
- Enforcement risks: While the reforms are in place, actual enforcement matters. The Renting Taskforce has already resumed inspections to ensure compliance.
For renters seeking furnished properties in Victoria, the November reforms offer real gains: better security, safer homes, and more transparency. At the same time, property providers will face tougher obligations to ensure their furnished offerings meet higher standards before they can even advertise.
If you’re renting or managing a furnished property, now is a good time to review your lease, re-evaluate property standards, and make sure everything is in line with the new rules.
