What Landlords Need to Know About Plumbing Compliance in Victoria

Landlord plumbing compliance in Victoria comes down to a simple duty: you must provide a rental property that is in good repair, safe, and meets the Residential Tenancies minimum standards — which include a working toilet, a connection to hot and cold water, and a functioning bathroom — and you must arrange urgent plumbing repairs, such as a burst pipe or a blocked toilet, without delay. This is a plain-English overview from Around The Clock Plumbing Pty Ltd, Oakleigh South, for landlords across Melbourne's south-east. It is general information, not legal advice — the current, binding rules sit with Consumer Affairs Victoria, so always confirm the detail there.

What does landlord plumbing compliance in Victoria actually require?

Victoria's rental minimum standards set a baseline every property must meet. The plumbing-related ones are straightforward:

• A bathroom with a washbasin and either a shower or a bath.

• A reasonable supply of hot and cold water connected to the required fixtures.

• A water-efficient shower head rated at least three stars.

• A toilet in good working order, located in a separate room (or as part of the bathroom or laundry).

• Adequate ventilation in the bathroom, toilet and laundry, meeting the Building Code of Australia.

A key change to note: since late November 2025, a property must meet the minimum standards from the moment it is advertised for lease — not just by the day the renter moves in. One heritage footnote that matters in older suburbs: heritage-listed properties may be exempt from some minimum standards, but you must disclose the heritage listing before renting. Because these rules are updated from time to time, treat this as a starting point and check the current list with Consumer Affairs Victoria.

What are a landlord's urgent plumbing repair obligations?

Under the Residential Tenancies Act, certain plumbing failures are classed as urgent repairs, and a landlord must arrange them without delay. The urgent list includes a burst water service, a blocked or broken toilet, a serious roof leak, a gas leak, flooding or serious flood damage, and a failure or breakdown of the hot water, water or gas supply (or an essential appliance that provides them). If a renter cannot reach you, they may be able to arrange an urgent repair themselves and seek reimbursement, up to a capped amount set by law — another reason to be contactable. Non-urgent repairs are generally expected to be done within 14 days of a written request.

This is where being able to get a real plumber out quickly genuinely protects you as a landlord: fast arrival, an accurate diagnosis of the actual fault, and a permanent fix means an urgent repair is closed properly the first time, rather than patched and reopened. Around The Clock Plumbing answers calls 24/7 with a real person, which helps landlords — including interstate owners — meet that "without delay" obligation. The standard of service we commit to is set out in our customer care charter.

Does Victoria require routine gas and electrical safety checks on rentals?

This is widely misunderstood. Unlike some other states, Victoria does not currently mandate a fixed, routine gas and electrical safety-check schedule for standard residential rentals. What the law does require is that the property and the appliances you provide are safe and in good working order — so a faulty gas heater is squarely your responsibility. Practically, the smart move is to have the gas heater safety-checked before winter, because a cracked heat exchanger can leak carbon monoxide, which is odourless and dangerous. Any gas work must be carried out by a licensed gasfitter; we hold a Type A gas licence under BPC #50694 (you can read what a Victorian Type A gas licence means and how to verify it). For exactly what is legally required versus recommended, check Consumer Affairs Victoria.

Who pays for plumbing repairs — landlord or tenant?

As a general rule, the landlord pays to keep the property in good repair and compliant — that covers ageing pipes, a failed hot water unit, worn fittings, and most wear-and-tear faults. A tenant generally pays only where they caused the damage, for example a drain blocked by flushing wipes or foreign objects. The grey area is usually "fair wear and tear versus misuse," which is exactly why a clear diagnosis matters: a CCTV drain inspection that shows tree roots in an old clay pipe tells a very different story to one that shows a nappy. We quote a fixed price before any work starts, so you can approve the cost up front — our transparent approach to pricing is explained here in our pricing guide.

What documentation protects you in an insurance claim or VCAT dispute?

Good records turn a "he-said-she-said" into a closed file. When licensed plumbing or gas work is done, a Certificate of Compliance is issued — keep it, along with a written report of what was found and done, and dated invoices. If an insurer or a VCAT matter ever questions whether the property was maintained, that paper trail is what protects you. We provide this documentation as standard, including VCAT-grade reports, and we work with strata and body-corporate managers such as MBCM Strata, Ace Body Corp and Civium. The paperwork side — what each certificate and report is for — is covered in detail in our guide to compliance certificates, VCAT reports and strata documentation. You can also confirm our full credentials in our licences and accreditations summary; we also carry $20M public liability cover.

Frequently asked questions

What plumbing does a Victorian rental have to have?

At minimum, a bathroom with a washbasin and a shower or bath, a connection to a reasonable supply of hot and cold water, a three-star water-efficient shower head, and a toilet in good working order in a separate room, plus adequate ventilation. Check Consumer Affairs Victoria for the current full list.

What counts as an urgent plumbing repair in a rental?

Urgent repairs include a burst water service, a blocked or broken toilet, a serious roof leak, a gas leak, flooding, and a failure of the hot water, water or gas supply. A landlord must arrange these without delay.

Does Victoria require annual gas safety checks on rental properties?

Victoria does not currently mandate a fixed, routine gas safety-check schedule for standard residential rentals the way some states do, but landlords must keep gas appliances safe and in good working order. Servicing the gas heater before winter is strongly advised. Confirm the current rules with Consumer Affairs Victoria.

Who pays for a blocked drain in a rental — landlord or tenant?

Generally the landlord pays to keep the property in good repair, including ageing pipes and worn fittings. A tenant usually pays only where they caused the damage, such as a blockage from flushing wipes or foreign objects.

What records should a landlord keep for plumbing work?

Keep the Certificate of Compliance issued for licensed plumbing or gas work, a written report of what was done, and dated invoices. This documentation supports an insurance claim or a VCAT matter if one ever arises.

Written/reviewed by Christopher Unwin — founder, Around The Clock Plumbing Pty Ltd, Oakleigh South. BPC Licence #50694, Type A gas, 22 years experience. National Council member, Master Plumbers Association.

Updated May 2026