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Modifications

39 established claims - 6 refused by the grounding gate

Documented position26

What the body that runs or defines the thing says in its own documentation.

Tenants Victoria states that the modifications a Victorian renter is allowed to make are limited to those that do not penetrate or permanently modify any of the surfaces or fixtures at the property, or its structure.

other
1 quote from 1 source
are limited to those that do not penetrate or permanently modify any of the surfaces or fixtures at the property, or the structure of the property. There are additional limitations if the property has heritage protections.

Tenants Victoria states that a VCAT application about a rental provider unreasonably refusing consent for a modification must be heard within 5 business days.

other
1 quote from 1 source
If the rental provider unreasonably refuses to give their consent for a modification, you can apply to VCAT for an order that the consent of the rental provider is not required. The application must be heard by VCAT within 5 business days [section 64].

Tenants Victoria states that a Victorian rental provider cannot unreasonably refuse consent for modifications that are reasonable security measures.

other
2 quotes from 1 source
For any other modifications you will need to get the rental provider’s consent. However, they cannot unreasonably refuse to give their consent for any modifications that:
Are reasonable security measures

Tenants Victoria states that a Victorian renter does not need consent to install a water-efficient shower head if they keep the original shower head and the property is not heritage listed.

other
2 quotes from 1 source
And for properties that are not heritage listed, you do not need consent for installing:
Water-efficient shower head, if you keep the original

Tenants Victoria states that a Victorian rental provider cannot unreasonably refuse consent for modifications needed to…

  • increase thermal comfort.
  • reduce energy and water usage costs.
other
2 quotes from 1 source
For any other modifications you will need to get the rental provider’s consent. However, they cannot unreasonably refuse to give their consent for any modifications that:
Are needed to increase thermal comfort or reduce energy and water usage costs

Tenants Victoria states that a Victorian rental provider cannot unreasonably refuse consent for a herb or vegetable garden.

other
2 quotes from 1 source
Rental providers also cannot unreasonably refuse to give their consent for any of the following modifications:
Herb or vegetable garden [section 64, regulation 28]

Tenants Victoria recommends that…

  • a renter get a clear written agreement with the Victorian rental provider before making modifications.
  • the clear written agreement with the Victorian rental provider state that the renter will not have to remove the modifications or pay to have them removed on moving out.
medium confidenceother
1 quote from 1 source
Before making any modifications, we recommend you try to get a clear, written agreement with the rental provider that on moving out you do not have to remove any modifications, or pay to have them removed.

Consumer Affairs Victoria states that a gas safety check for a Victorian rental property with gas appliances must be less than six months old when the draughtproofing work is completed.

medium confidenceother
1 quote from 1 source
If the property has gas appliances, a licensed plumber must carry out a gas safety check before any draughtproofing work begins. The check must be less than six months old at the time the draughtproofing work is completed.

Consumer Affairs Victoria lists as an upcoming change that a check of a Victorian rental property must…

  • be done by a licensed or registered gasfitter.
  • identify gas ventilation safety needs.
medium confidenceother
2 quotes from 1 source
Upcoming changes
A check of the rental property must be done by a licensed or registered gasfitter to identify gas ventilation safety needs within 6 months before any draughtproofing work can be undertaken.

Consumer Affairs Victoria states that a Victorian renter can install non-permanent window film for insulation, reduced heat transfer or privacy without the rental provider's permission.

other
2 quotes from 1 source
A renter can install any of the following items without permission:
non-permanent window film for insulation, reduced heat transfer or privacy

Consumer Affairs Victoria states that a Victorian renter…

  • can install curtains without permission.
  • must not throw out the original curtains.
other
2 quotes from 1 source
A renter can install any of the following items without permission:
curtains (but the renter must not throw out the original curtains)

Consumer Affairs Victoria states that it might be reasonable for a Victorian rental provider to refuse changes that would significantly change the property.

other
2 quotes from 1 source
Examples of where it might be reasonable for the rental provider to refuse to allow the renter to make changes include:
the changes would significantly change the property

Consumer Affairs Victoria states that a Victorian rental provider may require an extra bond, called a modification bond, to cover the cost of undoing changes at the end of the rental agreement.

other
1 quote from 1 source
The rental provider may require the renter to pay an extra bond to cover the cost of undoing changes at the end of the rental agreement. This is called a modification bond.

Consumer Affairs Victoria states that a Victorian rental provider cannot ask for extra bond where the extra bond would be less than $500.

other
2 quotes from 1 source
However, they cannot ask for extra bond if:
the extra bond would be less than $500

Consumer Affairs Victoria advises that a Victorian renter whose requested changes are refused should first ask why the request was refused.

other
1 quote from 1 source
If the rental provider refuses to allow the requested changes, the renter should first ask why the request was refused, as there may be a good reason.

Consumer Affairs Victoria states that a Victorian rental provider does not have to pay for changes even if the Victorian rental provider gives permission for those changes.

other
1 quote from 1 source
Even if a rental provider gives permission for changes to be made, they do not have to pay for them.

Consumer Affairs Victoria states that Victorian rental providers cannot refuse disability-related modifications without good reason.

other
1 quote from 1 source
Renters must have the written agreement of the rental provider (and the owners corporation if there is one) before they make any modifications. Rental providers can not refuse disability-related modifications without good reason.

Consumer Affairs Victoria states that it may be reasonable for a Victorian rental provider to refuse changes where the property is about to be sold or vacated and the renter has been given a valid notice to vacate.

other
2 quotes from 1 source
Examples of where it might be reasonable for the rental provider to refuse to allow the renter to make changes include:
the property is about to be sold or vacated and the renter has been given a valid notice to vacate.

Consumer Affairs Victoria states that a Victorian rental provider cannot refuse permission without a good reason for painting of the premises.

other
2 quotes from 1 source
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:
painting of the premises

A Victorian rental provider cannot refuse permission without a good reason for draughtproofing modifications in a property without open flued gas heating.

other
2 quotes from 1 source
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:
draughtproofing in a property without open flued gas heating. This includes installing:

Practical effect2

What is observed to happen in practice, as distinct from what is documented.

  • Tenants Victoria publishes a template letter.
  • The template letter published by Tenants Victoria is for Victorian renters to request consent for modifications from their rental provider.
medium confidenceother
1 quote from 1 source
If you want to ask for consent from your rental provider for modifications to your property, you can use the Tenants Victoria template:

Changed on1

A dated change. This is where advice quietly stops being true.

Consumer Affairs Victoria lists as an upcoming change that a check of a Victorian rental property must be done within 6 months before any draughtproofing work can be undertaken.

medium confidenceother
2 quotes from 1 source
Upcoming changes
A check of the rental property must be done by a licensed or registered gasfitter to identify gas ventilation safety needs within 6 months before any draughtproofing work can be undertaken.

Repeated, with no primary source in reach10

Widely repeated in the field. Within the documents this sweep read, it traces only to other repetitions - which is a fact about our reading as well as about the idea, until each one has been searched for on its own.

  • Some modifications can be made by renters without the rental provider's consent.
  • Other modifications require approval that cannot be unreasonably refused.
medium confidenceother
1 quote from 1 source
You can make some changes or modifications to your rental property. Some you can make without the consent of the rental provider (landlord), while others need their approval – but this cannot be unreasonably refused.

RACV asserts that modifications to a rental property can be made…

  • by Victorian renters without permission from March 2021.
  • without permission on the condition that the property can be returned to its original state when the renters leave.
medium confidenceother
1 quote from 1 source
in March 2021 outlined that renters can now make certain changes to the rental property without permission – as long as the property can be returned to its original state when they leave. That means that any home decor updates must either be reversed before the renter vacates the property, or the renter must pay the landlord the cost of doing so.

RACV asserts that the law allows renters to install picture hooks provided it is not a heritage-listed property and they do not penetrate exposed brick or concrete walls.

medium confidenceother
1 quote from 1 source
The law allows renters to install picture hooks, provided it's not a heritage-listed property and does not penetrate exposed brick or concrete walls.

RACV asserts that a Victorian renter can install a security device without the landlord's permission as long as it is not hard wired, can be removed easily and does not affect neighbours' privacy.

medium confidenceother
1 quote from 1 source
without the landlord’s permission, as long as the device is not hard wired, can be removed easily and doesn’t affect neighbours’ privacy. You’ll need prior permission if the security device needs to be fitted by a
  • RACV asserts that the landlord cannot unreasonably refuse disability-related modifications.
  • RACV asserts that disability-related modifications, such as grab rails and hand rails, must be determined necessary by an occupational therapist or other practitioner.
medium confidenceother
1 quote from 1 source
The landlord can’t unreasonably refuse if you want to install disability-related modifications, such as grab rails and hand rails determined necessary by an occupational therapist or other practitioner.
  • The modifications' further requirement takes effect on 1 July 2027.
  • The modifications make draughtproofing mandatory at the start of any new lease or month-to-month conversion in Victoria.
medium confidenceother
1 quote from 1 source
A further requirement takes effect on 1 July 2027, when draughtproofing becomes mandatory at the start of any new lease or month-to-month conversion. Rental providers will need to have sealed external doors, windows and unsealed wall vents to prevent unnecessary heat loss or gain.

Refused6

Claims the research produced that the grounding gate would not accept, with its reason. They are here because a site that only shows what passed gives you no way to judge whether the gate does anything.

Show what was refused

Tenants Victoria states that a Victorian renter does not need consent to install security lights, alarm systems or security cameras that can easily be removed.

Refused: The Tenants Victoria quote lists the items but does not state that consent is not required.

Unsupported: does not need consent

What it rested on
Security lights, alarm systems or security cameras that can easily be removed, are not hard-wired and do not impact on the privacy of neighbours [section 64, regulation 26]
a security system if an invoice with the name of the installer is provided to the rental provider at time the consent is requested. The system must be installed by a suitably qualified person and must not impact on the privacy of neighbours

Consumer Affairs Victoria lists a security system as a change requiring permission that cannot be refused without a good reason.

Refused: The CAV quote shows consent is requested for a security system but does not state it cannot be refused without a good reason.

Unsupported: cannot be refused without a good reason

What it rested on
Security lights, alarm systems or security cameras that can easily be removed, are not hard-wired and do not impact on the privacy of neighbours [section 64, regulation 26]
a security system if an invoice with the name of the installer is provided to the rental provider at time the consent is requested. The system must be installed by a suitably qualified person and must not impact on the privacy of neighbours

Tenants Victoria states that a Victorian renter who makes modifications is responsible on moving out for restoring the property to its previous condition allowing for fair wear and tear.

Refused: The quotes impose a duty to restore prior condition save for fair wear and tear, but do not specify that this duty arises on moving out.

Unsupported: on moving out

What it rested on
Be responsible for restoring your rental property to the condition it was in before the modification was made, save for fair wear and tear, or
If you do not undertake this work yourself, need to pay the rental provider an amount equal to the reasonable cost of having the property restored to that condition

Tenants Victoria states that a Victorian renter who makes modifications is responsible on moving out for paying the reasonable cost of restoring the property to its previous condition allowing for fair wear and tear.

Refused: The quotes establish a duty to restore or pay reasonable costs if the renter does not do the work, but they do not specify that this happens on moving out.

Unsupported: on moving out

What it rested on
Be responsible for restoring your rental property to the condition it was in before the modification was made, save for fair wear and tear, or
If you do not undertake this work yourself, need to pay the rental provider an amount equal to the reasonable cost of having the property restored to that condition

Consumer Affairs Victoria states that a licensed plumber must carry out a gas safety check before any draughtproofing work begins on a Victorian rental property that has gas appliances.

Refused: The quote says 'the property' but does not specify a Victorian rental property.

Unsupported: Victorian rental property

What it rested on
If the property has gas appliances, a licensed plumber must carry out a gas safety check before any draughtproofing work begins. The check must be less than six months old at the time the draughtproofing work is completed.

Consumer Affairs Victoria states that in Victorian rooming houses and caravan and residential parks, the operator's consent is required for any modification to the property.

Refused: The quote says 'these types of accommodation' but does not specify that it refers to Victorian rooming houses and caravan and residential parks.

Unsupported: in Victorian rooming houses and caravan and residential parks

What it rested on
For residents in these types of accommodation, the operator’s consent is required for any modification to the property.