The state government has introduced new safety and heating rules for rentals and rooming houses.
Unsecured blind or curtain cords claim the lives of between one and two Australian children every year, which is why the government will make it mandatory to secure blinds cords with either a cord guide or cleat installed against a wall or structure.
This will apply to all rental properties, with no exemptions, from 1 December 2025.
Victorians can order a free curtain and blind cord safety kit from Consumer Affairs Victoria.
The current Commonwealth Safety Standard mandates that all blinds or curtains installed from 2015 have cord safety anchors. This standard does not apply to blinds installed before 2015.
The reform will ensure all Victorian rental properties meet this critical safety standard, no matter when the curtains or blinds were installed in the property.
The government is also introducing a new standard requiring safe heating for residents in rooming houses.
Under the standard, rooming house operators must install an electric fixed heater in residents’ rooms. By 2030, all heaters in residents’ rooms must be fixed and electric, with a two star energy efficiency rating.
Work is ongoing on minimum energy efficiency standards for rentals with almost 2,500 survey responses and submissions made throughout the consultation process.
“These new mandatory safety standards will make a big difference to the safety of rental properties – this will save lives,” Minister for Consumer Affairs Gabrielle Williams said.
“Everyone deserves to live in comfortable and safe housing – our new minimum standards will improve safety for rooming house residents.”
