Can I put up shelves or make changes?
39 quoted answers, each with its source
The short answer
Since March 2021, Victorian renters can make certain changes without the rental provider’s consent if the property can be returned to its original state when they leave; Tenants Victoria states this is limited to changes that do not penetrate or permanently modify surfaces, fixtures or the structure. Without consent, renters may install non-permanent window film for insulation, reduced heat transfer or privacy, curtains while keeping the original curtains, a water-efficient shower head if the original is kept and the property is not heritage listed, picture hooks if the property is not heritage listed and exposed brick or concrete is not penetrated, and a removable, non-hard-wired security device that can be removed easily and does not affect neighbours’ privacy. Other changes need written consent, and providers cannot refuse without a good reason for painting, draughtproofing in a property without open flued gas heating, or disability-related modifications, and cannot unreasonably refuse reasonable security measures, modifications to increase thermal comfort or reduce energy and water costs, or a herb or vegetable garden; a VCAT application about unreasonably refused consent must be heard within 5 business days under section 64. A provider may require a modification bond to cover undoing changes, but not if the extra bond would be less than $500, and permission does not require the provider to pay; as of 2026-08-02, Consumer Affairs Victoria states that for a Victorian rental property with gas appliances a gas safety check must be less than six months old when draughtproofing work is completed.
Every part of this comes from the quotes below. How we write these.
What the rules actually say26
Quoted straight from Consumer Affairs Victoria, the Residential Tenancies Act or a tribunal.
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.
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.
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.
- New changes to the rental laws - Consumer Affairs Victoria consumer.vic.gov.au
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.
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
- Renters making changes to the property - Consumer Affairs Victoria consumer.vic.gov.au
Consumer Affairs Victoria states that a Victorian renter…
- can install curtains without permission.
- must not throw out the original curtains.
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)
- Renters making changes to the property - Consumer Affairs Victoria consumer.vic.gov.au
Consumer Affairs Victoria states that it might be reasonable for a Victorian rental provider to refuse changes that would significantly change the property.
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
- Renters making changes to the property - Consumer Affairs Victoria consumer.vic.gov.au
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.
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.
- Renters making changes to the property - Consumer Affairs Victoria consumer.vic.gov.au
Consumer Affairs Victoria states that a Victorian rental provider cannot ask for extra bond where the extra bond would be less than $500.
2 quotes from 1 source
However, they cannot ask for extra bond if:
the extra bond would be less than $500
- Renters making changes to the property - Consumer Affairs Victoria consumer.vic.gov.au
Consumer Affairs Victoria advises that a Victorian renter whose requested changes are refused should first ask why the request was refused.
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.
- Renters making changes to the property - Consumer Affairs Victoria consumer.vic.gov.au
Consumer Affairs Victoria states that a short-term rental agreement in Victoria lasts for five years or less.
1 quote from 1 source
A short-term rental agreement lasts for five years or less.
- Renters making changes to the property - Consumer Affairs Victoria consumer.vic.gov.au
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.
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.
- Renters making changes to the property - Consumer Affairs Victoria consumer.vic.gov.au
Consumer Affairs Victoria states that Victorian rental providers cannot refuse disability-related modifications without good reason.
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.
- Renters making changes to the property - Consumer Affairs Victoria consumer.vic.gov.au
Consumer Affairs Victoria identifies section 64 as the provision on modifications to rented premises.
1 quote from 1 source
Section 64 – Modifications to rented premises.
- Renters making changes to the property - Consumer Affairs Victoria consumer.vic.gov.au
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.
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.
- Renters making changes to the property - Consumer Affairs Victoria consumer.vic.gov.au
Consumer Affairs Victoria states that a Victorian rental provider cannot refuse permission without a good reason for painting of the premises.
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
- Renters making changes to the property - Consumer Affairs Victoria consumer.vic.gov.au
A Victorian rental provider cannot refuse permission without a good reason for draughtproofing modifications in a property without open flued gas heating.
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:
- Renters making changes to the property - Consumer Affairs Victoria consumer.vic.gov.au
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.
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.
- Modifications - Tenants Victoria tenantsvic.org.au
Tenants Victoria states that a VCAT application about a rental provider unreasonably refusing consent for a modification must be heard within 5 business days.
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].
- Modifications - Tenants Victoria tenantsvic.org.au
Tenants Victoria states that a Victorian rental provider cannot unreasonably refuse consent for modifications that are reasonable security measures.
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
- Modifications - Tenants Victoria tenantsvic.org.au
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.
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
- Modifications - Tenants Victoria tenantsvic.org.au
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.
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
- Modifications - Tenants Victoria tenantsvic.org.au
Tenants Victoria states that a Victorian rental provider cannot unreasonably refuse consent for a herb or vegetable garden.
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]
- Modifications - Tenants Victoria tenantsvic.org.au
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.
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.
- Modifications - Tenants Victoria tenantsvic.org.au
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.
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:
- Modifications - Tenants Victoria tenantsvic.org.au
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.
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.
- New changes to the rental laws - Consumer Affairs Victoria consumer.vic.gov.au
Often said, but we could not find it in the rules10
Lots of people say this. We went looking for an official source that backs it up and could not find one, so treat it as something people repeat rather than something settled.
- Some modifications can be made by renters without the rental provider's consent.
- Other modifications require approval that cannot be unreasonably refused.
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.
- Modifications - Tenants Victoria tenantsvic.org.au
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.