Victoria Passes Landmark Rental Reforms: Banning Fees, Requiring Proof for Bond Claims

The Victorian government is set to introduce a new bill to parliament that will bring significant changes to the rental market. As of October 14th, 2025, landlords and real estate agents will be required to provide renters with documentary evidence to support any bond claims at least three days before submitting the claim. If they wish to take a tenant to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal over a bond dispute, they must also provide supporting documentation. Failure to do so could result in fines of up to $25,438 for body corporates.

Additionally, the new legislation will ban landlords and agents from charging tenants fees to process rent payments. This follows a recent investigation by Guardian Australia that revealed an increasing number of real estate agents were moving tenant payments to third-party "rent tech" platforms, which charge service fees.

The bill will also establish a portable bond scheme, which the government says will benefit around 736,000 households. This will ensure renters don't have to pay a new bond while waiting for their old one to be returned when moving house.

"Most renters don't just have a spare few thousand dollars lying around to cover the unnecessary cost of the dreaded double bond," said Premier Jacinta Allan.