Renters making changes to the property - Changes that can be made without permission.

What are changes to properties that do not require permission from the rental provider?

Rental providers who provide rentals must ensure that a home satisfies basic requirements on or before the day a renter moves in.

Renters can do the following without any permission needed:

• non-permanent window film for privacy, heat reduction, or insulation

• a wireless doorbell

• curtains (although the renter shall not throw out the original curtains) (but the renter must not throw out the original curtains)

• child safety locks that stick to drawers and doors

• gates with a pressure mount for children

• a letterbox lock.

As long as the property is not on the Victorian Heritage Register, a renter may install any of the following things without permission:

• Except for exposed brick or concrete walls, use picture hooks or screws for wall mounts, shelves, or brackets. Be mindful of materials containing asbestos and avoid drilling, screwing, or hammering into them. For further information, go to Asbestos Victoria.

• the use of wall anchors to hold furniture in place on surfaces other than bare brick or concrete walls

• LED lights that don't require new light fixtures

• a low flow in the shower (the renter must not throw out the original shower head)

• blind or cord anchors

• Alarm systems or security cameras that are removable as long as they:
  

  • do not impact the privacy of neighbours

  • can easily be removed from the property

  • are not hardwired to the property.

The renter must obtain authorization from the rental provider before making any additional changes. Nonetheless, the rental provider cannot decline approval for the following alterations unless they have a justifiable reason:

• picture hangers or fasteners for shelves, brackets, or wall mounts on exposed brick or concrete walls

• On exposed brick or concrete walls, child safety gates are placed with hardware.

• using wall anchors to hold furniture to exposed brick or concrete walls

• draught-proofing a house without an open-flue gas heating system. This includes setting up

  • weather seals

  • caulking or gap filling around windows, doors, skirting and floorboards

• a security system if the rental company receives an invoice from the installer at the moment the request for permission is made. The system must be setup by a qualified individual and not interfere with neighbors' privacy.

• flyscreens for windows and doors

• a herb or vegetable garden

• a safer letterbox

• painting the interior

• changes to external gates' security

• any change that would be carried out in conformity with Part 5 of the Heritage Act of 2017 and would help preserve a registered place.

What are changes to properties that the rental provider cannot decline?

Such adjustments are permissible, and the rental provider cannot deny them unless they have a valid justification. These modifications include:

• Avoid penetrating or permanently altering surfaces, fixtures, or the building's structure.

• for the sake of health and safety

• Disability-related adjustments are those that, in the opinion of an occupational therapist or other prescribed practitioner, are necessary and, in accordance with the Equal Opportunity Act 2010, are reasonable.

• provide phone, internet, or television connectivity to the renter

• are appropriate security precautions

• are required to protect a tenant who has had or is experiencing domestic violence from the other party to the rental agreement. Learn more about renting and family violence

• a personal safety intervention order issued against one party to the rental agreement is required to protect a renter who is a protected person.

• are required to keep the renter from becoming excessively hot or cold within the rental.

• are required to lower water and energy costs.