Minimum Safety Standards For Rental Properties: A State-by-State Guide

Minimum safety standards, sometimes called minimum housing standards, set the legal baseline for whether a rental property can be lived in. They focus on essential safety and functionality, not comfort, styling, or cosmetic upgrades.

Across Australia, these standards typically cover things like structural safety, access to electricity and lighting, plumbing and drainage, water supply, bathroom and toilet facilities, ventilation, basic security, and smoke alarms or other safety devices. While each state applies these rules differently, the underlying expectation is the same.

These requirements need to be met and maintained, which is why keeping clear records of agreements, condition reports, and maintenance matters. Tools like RentBetter make this easier by keeping everything in one place, so compliance is tracked as part of everyday property management rather than treated as a separate task.

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No. In most states, minimum safety standards must be met before the property is advertised, at the start of the tenancy and for the entire duration of the lease.

If a property falls below standard during a tenancy, the owner is usually required to fix the issue within a reasonable timeframe. Ignoring these obligations can lead to tenant remedies, tribunal action, or financial penalties, particularly where safety is involved.

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Yes. The consequences vary by state but depending on the location and the type of breach, penalties can include repair or compliance orders, infringement notices or fines, compensation or rent reduction orders and in some cases the tenant’s right to end the tenancy early. Safety-related breaches, such as missing or non-compliant smoke alarms, often attract specific penalties.

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Read more: Rental Legislation Changes in 2025: What Landlords Need to Know, in some cases,

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Here are the minimum safety standards that apply in each state and territory in Australia:

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‍New South Wales

NSW applies seven minimum standards that determine whether a property is fit to live in. A rental must be:

• The building must be safe and structurally stable
• Every habitable room must have sufficient lighting, whether natural or installed
• Airflow must be adequate to prevent dampness and poor air quality
• The property must have a working electricity or gas supply, with enough outlets to run lighting, heating, and standard appliances
• Plumbing and drainage must function properly
• The home must be connected to a water supply that delivers both hot and cold water for everyday use
• Toilet and washing facilities must be provided in a way that allows reasonable privacy

These standards apply to all residential rental properties and must be maintained for the entire tenancy. If a property is unfit to live in, tenants can seek repairs, compensation, or tribunal orders through NSW Fair Trading.

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Victoria

Victoria has one of the most detailed minimum standards frameworks in Australia. Rental properties must meet minimum requirements across 14 categories, which together cover safety, functionality, and basic liveability. A rental property must have:

• A building that is structurally safe and stable
• Protection against mould and damp
• Safe electrical systems
• Safe gas installations (where gas is supplied)
• A working toilet
• A functional bathroom
• A usable kitchen
• Appropriate laundry facilities
• Fixed heating in the main living area
• Adequate ventilation
• Sufficient lighting
• Window coverings that provide privacy and safety
• Secure locks on external doors and windows
• Compliant smoke alarms

Renters can request urgent repairs or apply to the tribunal if standards are not met. Rental providers may face compliance action if issues are not resolved.

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Queensland

Queensland enforces minimum housing standards for all rental properties. These standards aim to ensure homes are safe, secure, and reasonably functional from the moment a tenant moves in and throughout the tenancy. The minimum housing standards became mandatory for new and renewed tenancies from 1 September 2023, and apply to all tenancies (including general tenancies, rooming accommodation, and moveable dwellings) from 1 September 2024.

To comply with minimum housing standards in Queensland, a rental property must meet the following:

• The building must be weatherproof and structurally sound, with roofing and windows that keep rain out and floors, walls, ceilings, decks, and stairs that are safe and not at risk of collapse.
• Fixtures and fittings, including electrical appliances and other installed items, must be in good repair and not likely to cause injury during normal use.
• All external doors and windows that can be reached without a ladder must have functioning locks or latches to provide reasonable security.
• The property must be free from vermin, damp, and mould, except where these conditions are caused by the tenant’s actions.
• Privacy coverings (such as blinds, curtains, tinting, or other treatments) must be provided on windows in rooms where a tenant would reasonably expect privacy, such as bedrooms.
• Adequate plumbing and drainage must be provided, with a connection to a water supply that delivers hot and cold water suitable for drinking.
• Bathroom and toilet areas must offer privacy, and toilets must be fully functional with a sewage disposal connection.
• If a kitchen is included, it must have a functioning cooktop.
• If a laundry is included, it must have the necessary fixtures and plumbing to provide a functional laundry space.

Tenants have early-exit rights and ongoing remedies if a property does not comply with the standards.

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Western Australia

Western Australia’s minimum standards place a strong emphasis on safety and security in rental homes. These requirements are designed to reduce risks related to fire, electrical faults and unauthorised access.

A rental property in WA must have:

• Secure locks fitted to external doors and accessible windows
• Working exterior lighting to improve safety and visibility around entry points
• Compliant smoke alarms installed and maintained
• Residual current devices (RCDs) installed to protect against electrical hazards

These requirements operate alongside the broader obligation for landlords to keep the property safe, in good repair, and suitable for occupation throughout the tenancy.Specific penalties apply for certain safety breaches. For example, failing to install or maintain smoke alarms can result in infringement notices, with higher fines possible if the matter proceeds to prosecution.

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‍South Australia

In South Australia, minimum standards for rental properties are enforced through the Housing Improvement Framework. These standards set the baseline for whether a property is safe and suitable for habitation.

• A rental property in SA must meet minimum requirements relating to:
• Access to safe sanitation and a reliable water supply
• Adequate lighting and ventilation
• The overall structural condition of the building
• Properly functioning bathroom and toilet facilities

If a property does not meet the prescribed minimum housing standards, landlords may face repair or compliance orders, financial penalties, and tribunal action initiated by tenants.

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Tasmania

Tasmania’s minimum standards apply before a tenancy begins and are designed to ensure rental properties are safe, functional, and suitable to live in. A rental property in Tasmania must have:

• A structure that is weatherproof and safe
• Adequate ventilation to manage moisture and air quality
• Sufficient lighting in habitable rooms
• Heating that allows the property to be reasonably warmed
• Window coverings in rooms where privacy is expected
• A functional bathroom and toilet that provide privacy
• Safe electrical wiring and fixtures
• Compliant smoke alarms installed and maintained

Some minimum standards only apply when a property is first rented or re-rented after the standards commenced. Certain exemptions may also apply where compliance is not reasonably practical due to the age, design, or heritage status of the building.

If a rental property does not meet the applicable minimum standards, tenants can request repairs and seek enforcement through tenancy processes. Failure to comply may result in repair orders or penalties, particularly where safety risks such as electrical hazards or missing smoke alarms are involved.

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Australian Capital Territory

In the ACT, the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 requires lessors to ensure rental properties comply with minimum housing standards. While the Act does not set out a detailed checklist of standards, landlords are responsible for keeping the property in a reasonable state of repair and ensuring it is reasonably secure.

In 2020, the Act was amended to allow the ACT Government to introduce enforceable minimum standards for residential tenancies. The first of these standards came into effect in 2023, focusing on energy efficiency.

The ACT Government has also undertaken public consultation on introducing broader minimum standards for rental properties, covering areas such as safety, security, and liveability. As of June 2025, a Listening Report has been published to share feedback received.

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Northern Territory

While the NT does not have a detailed checklist of minimum housing standards, landlords are still required to provide a property that is safe, habitable, and kept in a reasonable state of repair.

At the start of the tenancy and throughout the lease, a rental property must be safe to occupy and free from serious risks to health or safety. Landlords are responsible for carrying out repairs, including urgent repairs, within required timeframes.

Smoke alarms are a clear and enforceable safety requirement in the NT. Landlords must ensure approved smoke alarms are installed and working at the start of a tenancy and when a lease is renewed.

Tenants can seek enforcement through NT Consumer Affairs if obligations are not met. Non-compliance may lead to repair orders, compensation, or, in serious cases, tenancy termination.

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Read more: Smoke Alarm Safety and Compliance for your Property

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