Locks
All external entry doors, other than screen doors, that are not able to be secured with a functioning deadlock must be fitted with a lock that is operated by a key from the outside.
Exceptions are:
- Heritage listed properties where the request for permission to change locks has been refused
- Public lobby doors which open onto common property
Bins
A rubbish bin and a recycling bin must be supplied which are:
- Provided by the local council, or
- Vermin proof and compatible with local council collection
Toilets
Your home must have a toilet and it must be:
- In good working order and connected to an appropriate sewerage/wastewater treatment system
- In a room or separate enclosed structure that is intended to be used as a toilet area, whether separately or as part of the bathroom or laundry
Bathrooms
Your home must have a bathroom and it must:
- Be connected to a reasonable supply of cold and hot water
- Have a washbasin
- Have a shower or a bath
If there is a shower, the shower head must have a 3-star water efficiency rating unless one:
- Cannot be installed, or
- Would not work effectively due to the age, nature, or structure of the plumbing
If a 3-star rated shower head cannot be installed, one with a lower star-rating can be installed.
Kitchens
Your home must have a dedicated area for cooking and food preparation that has:
- A sink in good working order that is connected to a reasonable supply of hot and cold water
- A cooktop in good working order with 2 or more burners
If there is an oven, it must be in good working order.
Heritage exception
There is an exception for heritage listed properties where the request for a permit to make the required changes has been refused.
Laundry
If laundry facilities are present, they must be connected to a reasonable supply of hot and cold water.
Structural soundness
Your home must be both structurally sound and weatherproof.
Mould and dampness
Each room in your home must be free from mould and damp caused by, or related to, the building structure.
Electrical safety – standard starts in 2023
This minimum standard starts from 29 March 2023.
From that date, any property must have all power outlets and lighting circuits connected to a circuit breaker and a residual current device that complies with Australian standards.
Window coverings
This minimum standard started from 29 March 2022.
From that date, any property must have curtains or blinds fitted to each window in any room that is likely to be used as a bedroom or living area.
The curtain or blind must:
- Be able to be opened and closed
- Reasonably block light
- Provide reasonable privacy
Windows
All external windows capable of opening must:
- Be able to be set in a closed or open position
- Have functioning latches to secure them against external entry
Lighting
Interior rooms, corridors and hallways are to have access to sufficient light, whether natural or artificial, appropriate to the function or use of those rooms.
All habitable rooms must have access to sufficient natural light during daylight hours and sufficient artificial light during non-daylight hours.
Heritage exception
There is an exception for heritage listed properties where the request for a permit to make the required changes has been refused.
Ventilation
All habitable rooms, bathrooms, shower rooms, toilets, and laundries must have ventilation which meets the Building Code of Australia ventilation standards.
Heating
Minimum standard from 29 March 2021
The main living room of your home must have a fixed heater that is in good working order – that is, not a portable heater. An existing fixed heater is not required to be energy efficient.
If there was no fixed heater in the main living room and one needs to be installed to meet this standard, it must be energy efficient. However, for class 2 buildings, such as an apartment building, the heater does not need to be energy efficient if it would be unreasonable to install such a fixed heater.
Minimum standard from 29 March 2023
From 29 March 2023 any property must have a fixed heater that is energy efficient in good working order installed in the main living area of the home. However, for class 2 buildings, such as an apartment building, the heater does not need to be energy efficient if it would be unreasonable to install such a fixed heater.
Energy efficient heaters
An energy efficient heater is:
- A non-ducted air conditioner or heat pump with at least a 2-star energy rating
- A gas space heater with at least a 2-star energy rating
- Ducted/hydronic heating with an outlet in the main living area
- A domestic solid-fuel burning appliance