WHAT CHANGES CAN RENTERS MAKE TO A RENTAL PROPERTY?
WHAT CHANGES CAN RENTERS MAKE TO A RENTAL PROPERTY?

Section 64 of the Residential Tenancies Act provides rules about the changes renters can make to rented premises. The rules depend on the type of changes the renter wants to make, the type of rental property, and the length of the rental agreement.

 

Changes that can be made without permission

Renters are allowed to make some changes to a property without their rental provider’s permission.

A renter can install any of the following items without permission:

  • non-permanent window film for insulation reduced heat transfer or privacy
  • a wireless doorbell
  • curtains (but the renter must not throw out the original curtains)
  • adhesive child safety locks on drawers and doors
  • pressure mounted child safety gates
  • a lock on a letterbox.

 

Hand pressing a doorbell

There are a number of items ​​​​a renter can install without permission 

 

 

A renter can install any of the following items without permission, as long as the property is not listed in the Victorian Heritage Register:

  • picture hooks or screws for wall mounts, shelves or brackets on all surfaces except exposed brick or concrete walls. Be aware of asbestos-containing materials and do not screw, hammer or drill into these - for more information, visit Asbestos Victoria
  • wall anchors to secure items of furniture on all surfaces except exposed brick or concrete walls
  • LED light bulbs which don’t need new light fittings
  • low flow shower heads (the renter must not throw out the original shower head)
  • blind or cord anchors
  • removable safety devices such as alarm systems or security cameras, as long as they:
  • do not impact the privacy of neighbours
  • can easily be removed from the property
  • are not hardwired to the property.
  • hardware mounted child safety gates on walls other than exposed brick or concrete walls.

 

93 High Street, BerwickHeritage listed 93 High Street, Berwick sold in 2021

 

 

Reasonable changes

If the renter wants to make any other change, they must ask the rental provider’s permission. However, there are changes that the rental provider cannot refuse permission for unless they have a good reason:

 

Vegetable garden

A rental provider cannot refuse permission for a vegetable or herb garden

 

  • picture hooks or screws for wall mounts, shelves or brackets on exposed brick or concrete walls
  • hardware mounted child safety gates on exposed brick or concrete walls
  • wall anchors to secure items of furniture on exposed brick or concrete walls
  • draughtproofing in a property without open flued gas heating. This includes installing:
  • weather seals
  • caulking or gap filling around windows, doors, skirting, and floorboards
  • a security system if an invoice with the name of the installer is provided to the rental provider at the time the consent is requested. The system must be installed by a suitably qualified person and must not impact the privacy of neighbours
  • flyscreens on doors and windows
  • a vegetable or herb garden
  • a secure letterbox
  • painting of the premises
  • modifications to secure external gates
  • any modification which contributes to the conservation of a registered place and is proposed to be undertaken in accordance with Part 5 of the Heritage Act 2017.

 

Contact us call to action

HOW TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE HOME
over 1 year ago
Share
Home buyers and renters are increasingly aware that not only are they doing their bit for the environment when opting for sustainability at home but they’re also reducing the ever-increasing cost of energy bills as we work towards Net Zero homes. ... more