December 02, 2025
Is the rental system working for Victorians?
Renting in Reality – Energy and Minimum Standards examines if Victoria’s rental system is meeting basic standards, and whether renters are being supported through the state’s energy transition.
This report explores:
This report is part of our new, four-part series, Renting in Reality, providing new data about what’s working and what needs to evolve in Victoria’s rental market.
There is a clear gap between what landlords report and what renters experience.
Some renters avoid reporting issues due to fear of rent increases, eviction, or being labelled “difficult,” especially those in financial stress. Heavy landlord reliance on agents also means some issues are never escalated.
Around 10% of landlords rely solely on renter reports to identify problems, and 5% have no maintenance process at all, signalling a reactive approach.
81% of landlords feel confident they address repairs in a reasonable timeframe.
95% of landlords say they actioned their most recent repair.
One in four landlords say they spend more than $3,000 per year on repairs.
Yet only 31% of renters say their home meets all minimum standards.
Most rental homes are not meeting basic requirements.
69% of renters and 70% of landlords say their property likely fails one or more minimum standards.
Younger renters and those facing financial hardship are more likely to live in substandard homes, often with mould or ventilation issues present before moving in.
High reliance on agents means some non-compliant homes remain undetected. Stronger oversight is needed to ensure compliance before tenancies begin, not only after complaints.
Poor insulation and temperature control
Low water efficiency
Mould or damp
Poor overall housing quality
Ineffective heating
Renters are being left behind in the shift to more efficient homes.
Many rental properties remain gas-reliant, inefficient and costly to run. While 87% of landlords intend to improve their property’s energy performance, renters are not yet seeing widespread upgrades.
Solar uptake appears higher for renters dealing directly with landlords than through agents — suggesting solar is not prioritised in agent-led management.
Energy efficiency is becoming a key equity issue. Efficient, electrified homes must remain affordable so renters experiencing hardship aren’t priced out of better-performing properties.
87% of landlords intend to improve their property’s energy performance.
Renting in Reality provides a baseline for assessing whether our rental policies and cultural norms are working for everyday Australians.
CPRC has developed Australia’s first Renter Confidence Index to benchmark and track changes in renter experience and confidence over time.
This index can be applied across all Australian states and territories, providing a consistent national benchmark for renter confidence and experience.
CPRC welcomes the opportunity to work further on this issue with government, regulators, policy makers, academics and the community.
If you are in one of the above groups and would like a one-on-one briefing for your organisation, contact our team today.
This report forms part of a four-part series examining Victoria’s rental system.
Building on Renters Insights, Landlords Insights, and Rent Tech, this report continues the series exploring energy-efficiency and minimum standards.
Together, these reports offer a comprehensive picture of how the rental system is performing.
This methodology provides an ongoing benchmark for whether rental policy is delivering good outcomes for Australians.
October 22, 2025
November 06, 2025
December 08, 2025
February 06, 2024
CPRC and Tenants Victoria conducted a mystery shop of 100 rental properties in Victoria. While many properties met the minimum standards, issues such as maintenance, visible mould, and lack of window coverings were associated with poorly maintained affordable properties
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