The 14 Victorian Residential Minimum Standards – how ridiculous are they?

I break it down with easy to understand language and advice, and how you apply it practically to your investment property.

You will likely be pleasantly surprised to see the below list that your property probably complies with this list, give or take the Gas & Electrical safety checks.

1.??????Locks on doors & windows – must be locked with a key on the outside but unlocked without from the inside. So homes are fitted with deadlocks with a twist latch on the inside – this is fine and compliant

-?????????This isn’t necessary if your property is in an apartment complex and there is a common entry security door.

-?????????Also if you have winder windows these don’t need locks as they are secure from the inside.

2.??????Vermin Proof Bins – most homes in Metro Melbourne are supplied with bins from the council, so this is a no-brainer and simple minimum standard to comply with.

3.??????Toilets that work and is connected sewerage system – again this is most toilets in Metro Melbourne.

4.??????Bathrooms – must have a washbasin, shower & bath and have reasonable access to hot & cold water. Showerheads for the showers must be a minimum 3 star water efficiency, most showers have this efficiency thanks to the free shower head replacement craze of the early 2000’s, if you aren’t sure, ask your plumber (take a photo and text it, no call-out necessary)

5.??????Kitchens – must have dedicated food prep & cooking area, a working sink and if it is a gas stove top at least 2 or more burners.

6.??????Laundry – if it exists must have access to hot & cold water

7.??????Structural soundness - this is subjective, does hairline cracks mean it is structurally unsound, likely it is fine as most buildings do move with the changes in weather/environment. ?If you have an Art Deco property in Elwood, likely your apartment has suffered some decent cracking over the years, so this should be checked by a structural engineer, and you can ask your Body Corporate to look at this for you if they haven’t already, certainly the drought back in the early 2000’s saw many an apartment block in Elwood look like the Tower of Pisa.

8.??????Mould & Damp – must be free of mould and damp which is related to the building structure – so this does not apply if your renters haven’t opened their windows for a year and the bedroom windows precipitation has caused mould on the window sills – this is an occupational hazard and for the renters to maintain, clean. Mould can appear in homes that lack ventilation and again Elwood gets another special mention thanks to the especially damp foundations, so installing good ventilation, split system air conditioners etc will help with this.

9.??????Electrical Safety compliance – this is the checks that need to be done by a qualified electrician every 2 years, there are lots of different costs, deals, subscription services out there, my recommendation, do your research, don’t just go with the first subscription service you are offered as it is usually pretty expensive. If you have gas appliances, these also need to be checked to ensure no Co2 emissions etc. ?A guide for costs for the inspections should be less than $600

10.??Window coverings – all bedrooms & living rooms must have curtains or blinds that can be closed & provide privacy. Also highly recommend keeping these neutral colours, just a personal opinion as patterned, coloured curtains date quicker than a tiktok trend.

11.??Windows – all external windows must be openable and lockable, this doesn’t mean you have to have locks on all your windows, a latch or winder is sufficient. This can be troublesome if you have older style windows (metal art deco era windows are a real pain).

12.??Lighting – there must be working lights in hallways, corridors to make the rooms functional and to stop stubbed toes at 2am for the mid night wizz run.

13.??Ventilation – air flow required for bathroom, toilet and laundry (this can be exhaust fans) it doesn’t have to be openable windows.

14.??Heating – a minimum requirement to have at least 1 fixed heater in the living room by March 2023 it must be energy efficient heater 2 star rating or above, this can mean an open fireplace if you are lucky enough – who doesn’t love a fire in winter!?

At LongView, we use checklists each time we inspect homes, so if you would like our checklist, please reach out and I would be happy to share it with you.

So as you can see the minimum standards list isn’t too scary, and if you are not sure, ask your friendly property manager.?