Before a renter moves in, your property must meet the minimum standards for rental properties, as defined by Consumer Affairs Victoria. Failure to meet these standards can lead to severe consequences, including reduced rent, compensation claims, and difficulty re-leasing. For more information, click here: Consumer Affairs - Minimum Standards

We simplify these requirements to ensure they are easily digestible:

• Basic Safety & Security: Your property must be secure. This means all external doors need robust, working deadlocks or security devices, and any windows capable of being locked must have functional locks. 

• Functional Kitchen: Renters must have a dedicated, usable area for food prep, a functioning oven and cooktop, and a sink with both hot and cold running water. 

• Hygiene & Sanitation: The property must have access to a functional, private toilet and a functional bathroom (shower/bath) with hot and cold running water. 

• Heating Requirements: A fixed heater (not a portable one) is required in the main living area, and it must be in good working order. 

• Structural Soundness: Your property must be structurally sound and weatherproof, effectively protecting the interior against rain and external elements. 

• Ascension's Actions: We don't wait for a legal notice to prompt action. Our management strategy is built around anticipating and preventing compliance issues. We are diligent in monitoring all minimum standards listed above, especially during routine inspections or when maintenance is reported. This process allows us to proactively note necessary upgrades, advise on required repairs, and ensure correct preparation and budgeting can be made well in advance. This approach not only prevents legal breaches and potential penalties but guarantees your property consistently meets the required Victorian standards, protecting both your investment and your rental income.

These checks are mandatory and non-negotiable for all Victorian rental properties. They aren't just bureaucratic steps; they are critical safety measures designed to protect your renters, secure your property, and shield you from serious liability. Getting these wrong (or missing a deadline) can instantly invalidate your insurance and lead to heavy penalties. We ensure that every check is completed on time and documented perfectly by qualified Victorian professionals. We treat compliance as your primary defense. For more information, click here: [add CAV link]

We simplify these requirements to ensure they are easily digestible:

• Smoke Alarms: Must be tested and serviced annually. This includes checking the battery life and ensuring correct positioning. We ensure annual servicing and immediate replacement of faulty units by qualified personnel.Reference: For more information on installation and placement, see the CFA guidelines: https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/smoke-alarms and https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/installation-and-replacement.

• Electrical Safety: Must be checked every two years by a licensed electrician. This covers all fittings, wiring, and rental provider-provided appliances.Reference: For professional licensing and compliance checks, refer to the Victorian Building Authority (VBA): https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/legal/foi. 

• Gas Safety: Must be checked every two years by a licensed gasfitter. This covers all gas appliances and fittings, including heaters, stoves, and hot water systems. Reference: For appliance safety standards and technical requirements, refer to the Energy Safe Victoria website: https://www.energysafe.vic.gov.au/industry-guidance/gas/frequently-asked-questions/gas-safety-checklist

• Brand New Properties: The two-year compliance period starts from the date of installation for any brand-new gas or electrical appliance. We keep meticulous records of all installation dates to schedule the first required safety check precisely two years later.

• Completion & Cost: We have partnered with one of Victoria's market leaders in compliance safety to ensure full adherence to the strict check requirements while securing the most cost-effective option for our clients.

• Non-Compliance Obligation: If any safety check identifies a hazard or non-compliance, you, as the rental provider, are legally obliged to arrange for the required repairs or replacements to be completed within specific timeframes (usually within 14 days for general repairs, or within seven days if the compliance notice specifies an immediate hazard). We manage this process immediately to protect your liability.

This statement ensures transparency and requires you to disclose any material facts about the property that may impact a renter's decision to enter into a lease.

• What is it? It is a legal statement from the rental provider (or agent) to the prospective renter detailing information that is not immediately obvious about the property.

• When is it required? The completed statement must be provided to the prospective renter before they sign the residential rental agreement (lease).

• What's inside the Disclosure? This includes, but is not limited to, disclosing the following facts:

  • If the property is currently under a notice of intention to sell or is scheduled for demolition.

  • Any known history of asbestos or past flooding in the last five years.

  • Specific details of any owner's corporation (body corporate) rules that the renter must follow.

  • Any current or known legal proceedings that could affect the renter's occupation.

  • If any essential utilities are shared (e.g., shared electricity or water meter with another dwelling).

• Ascension's Role: We manage the legal preparation and professional delivery of this statement, ensuring you have clearly identified all material facts required by law before advertising and leasing the property.

Your partnership with Ascension is built on compliance and clarity. To get started and ensure your property is legally compliant from day one, we require the completion of two essential forms which inform our advertising and legal obligations:

• Minimum Standards Checklist: A mandatory document where you formally confirm the current status of all minimum safety and amenity requirements.

• Mandatory Disclosure Statement: Your opportunity to declare all material facts about the property that must be provided to a potential renter.

HINT: Complete your forms by selecting one of the above you require