Landlords and property managers in Victoria will face fines of up to $12,000 if renters are charged fees from third-party apps.

Landlords and agents in the state are now prohibited from using third-party apps which add extra fees onto renters after new laws were passed in parliament. 

The new laws, which offer an array of protections for renters, will kick in on March 31.

They are expected to set a new standard for all landlords and real estate agents and will force them to adopt a standard form for all rental applications.

More features of the law include mandates on what information can be asked of prospective tenants and new guidelines on what excessive rent increases mean.

The ban on third-party fees for applications and rent payments is set to reshape how landlords go about finding prospective tenants. 

A new definition of excessive rent increases will also set out how much notice a landlord must give tenants before raising the price of a property. 

Businesses breaching the new laws will face fines of $12,000 while individuals doing the same will be fined $2,400. 

New laws in Victoria will fine landlords and real estate agents for using third party apps

The new laws are part of a greater overhaul of renter rights laws across Victoria

Victoria’s Consumer Affairs Minister, Nick Staikos, said the new laws will help renters more than ever 

Victoria’s Consumer Affairs Minister Nick Staikos said the change will make it easier for renters to find homes. 

‘More and more Victorians are renting and only Labor is looking out for them – with new laws to protect their rights,’ Staikos said.

‘These new laws will protect Victorians from unfair and excessive charges during the current cost of living crisis.’

Under prior state rules, landlords were obliged to provide at least one fee-free payment method for their tenants. 

Other laws which were introduced in November mandated that landlords had to provide their tenants at least a 90-day notice period before raising rent. 

Rental bidding, where tenants compete by offering higher payments, has also been banned. 

To further help renters no-fault evictions have also been banned and minimum standards for rentals were imposed late in 2025.

Tenants Victoria CEO Jennifer Beveridge said this slew of recent changes is the most comprehensive the state has ever had. 

‘This marks a major shift for Victoria’s almost two million renters. These reforms recognise that renters deserve security and stability in their homes,’ she said.