Rental renovation planning before Victoria’s 2027 standards

Upcoming changes: phased from March 2027

Energy Victoria says the new rental standards start from March 2027, with different triggers for insulation, showerheads, heating, cooling and hot water. Draughtproofing has a July 2027 commencement. A tenancy change and an appliance failure can trigger different obligations; the guidance does not require every property to replace everything on a single day.

What this means for your project

Upgrading a rental does not automatically require demolition. Begin with a qualified assessment and a defined improvement plan. If selective removal is needed, prepare a room-level brief distinguishing finishes, structural elements and services to retain. We recommend deciding the upgrade scope before obtaining strip-out prices; this reduces the risk of comparing a simple fixture removal with a much wider renovation package. Tenancy arrangements and compliance should be handled with the relevant property and trade advisers.

Questions before you commit

• Which standard and trigger apply to this property?
• Can the upgrade proceed without removing retained structural elements?
• Who manages occupied-property access, specialist disconnections and reinstatement?

Bring these questions to your appointed project team. Exccell can discuss the demolition boundary and inspection scope; the responsible professionals must confirm the design, approvals and specialist work for your address.