What are my rights as a room renter in Melbourne in 2026?

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Victoria has some of the strongest tenant protections in Australia, and they were significantly strengthened in 2026. Whether you rent a room in a share house or a rooming house, you have legal rights that your landlord must respect.

Your key rights as a room renter in Melbourne in 2026:

Right to a written rental agreement — your landlord must provide a formal lease or tenancy agreement before you move in
Right to a safe and habitable room — minimum standards apply to all rental properties in Victoria, including heating, ventilation, structural soundness, mould-free walls and working locks on your door
Right to privacy — your landlord must give at least 24 hours' written notice before entering your room (except in genuine emergencies)
Right to repairs — if you report a non-urgent repair, your landlord must respond within 14 days; urgent repairs must be addressed immediately
Right to bond protection — your bond must be lodged with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) within 10 business days
Right to notice before rent increases — from 2026, landlords must give 90 days' written notice before any rent increase (extended from 60 days in the 2026 reforms)
Protection against retaliation — a landlord cannot evict you or raise your rent because you reported repairs or made a complaint

Where to get help:

Consumer Affairs Victoria: consumer.vic.gov.au
Tenants Victoria: tenantsvic.org.au
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT): vcat.vic.gov.au