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Victoria's 2027 rental draughtproofing rule: a glazier's checklist

From 1 July 2027, Victorian rentals must have draughtproofed doors, windows and vents. What the rule asks for, the gas check first, and what each window needs.

By Glassy Slide teamPublished 4 min read

Old timber sash windows with peeling paint and gaps around the sashes, the kind of window the draughtproofing rule covers

From 1 July 2027, Victorian rental homes have to be draughtproofed. Most of what's written about it comes from estate agents and compliance firms, and it explains the law well. This guide adds the part a glazier sees every day: what a proper seal looks like on the windows and doors Melbourne rentals actually have.

This is general information, not legal advice. The rules are in the Residential Tenancies Amendment (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards) Regulations 2025 and explained by Consumer Affairs Victoria.

What the rule asks for

The draughtproofing standard covers three things:

  • External doors
  • External windows
  • Unsealed wall vents

Gaps are sealed or weather-stripped around the full edge, without stopping the door or window from working normally. The rule applies when a new rental agreement starts on or after 1 July 2027, or when an existing agreement rolls over to month-to-month. The other energy efficiency standards, such as heating, phase in from 1 March 2027.

One reading worth checking with your agent or Consumer Affairs Victoria: a fixed-term lease signed before July 2027 isn't caught until it is renewed or rolls over. That is our inference from how the trigger is worded, not official guidance.

Gas check first, then seals

If the home has gas appliances, a licensed gasfitter must do a gas safety check before any draughtproofing. The check must be less than six months old when the sealing is finished. If it finds unflued or open-flued gas appliances, the draughtproofing must not go ahead: sealing a home with those heaters can trap fumes inside. So book the gasfitter first, and book the sealing once the check is clear.

What each window and door needs

"Seal around the full edge" means different parts on different windows. Here is what we look at:

Window or doorWhere the draughts get inWhat usually fixes it
Aluminium sliding doorThe interlock where the panels meet, and the top and bottom tracksNew pile (brush) seals and interlock seals; adjust or replace rollers so the panel sits square
Aluminium sliding windowSame as the door, on a smaller scaleNew pile seals; check the latch pulls the sash tight
Timber double-hung (sash) windowThe meeting rails in the middle, the parting beads and the gaps at the sidesSeals fitted to the beads and meeting rail, so the sashes still slide; sometimes new beads
Casement or awning windowThe edges where the sash closes on the frameCompression seal around the frame; check the hinges and the catch
Hinged external doorThe sides, the head and the gap under the doorWeather strip on the frame and a door seal or bottom seal

A seal that stops a window opening or locking doesn't meet the rule, so the fit matters as much as the seal. Worn rollers are a common cause: a sliding door that sits low on tired rollers can't seal however much brush is added. Our guide to a sliding door that's hard to open explains that repair.

Old sash windows need a lighter touch

Timber sash windows in Melbourne's older rentals are the hardest to get right. Seal them too tight and they stick. Paint, swollen timber or broken sash cords often need fixing before any seal will work. If the windows are in poor shape, our guide on repairing or replacing sash windows shows what's involved.

Discounts and exemptions

Consumer Affairs Victoria says the upgrades can be eligible for Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) discounts through accredited providers. Note that VEU weather sealing has excluded homes with open-flued or flueless gas heaters since 31 May 2023, which is the same group the gas check is looking for.

There are exemptions in the regulations. Guides mention heritage rules and owners corporation rules among the grounds. Check the regulations or ask Consumer Affairs Victoria before relying on one.

A checklist for landlords and property managers

  1. List every external door, window and wall vent at the property.
  2. Book the gas safety check if there are gas appliances, and keep the report.
  3. Fix what's broken first: rollers, catches, sash cords, swollen or rotten timber.
  4. Seal each opening with the right seal for its type, and check it still opens, closes and locks.
  5. Keep the records: invoices and photos, dated, for the rental file.

Planning ahead is the easy part. With many agreements rolling over around the same time, trades will be busy in the first half of 2027.

Where we come in

We repair and seal aluminium sliding doors and windows, and repair timber sash windows, across our Melbourne service areas. We measure on site and quote in writing, per property or for a portfolio. See our window and door repairs or ask for a draught sealing quote.

Questions

When does the rental draughtproofing rule start in Victoria?

On 1 July 2027. It applies when a new rental agreement starts on or after that date, or when an existing agreement rolls over to month-to-month. Other minimum energy efficiency standards start earlier, from 1 March 2027.

What has to be draughtproofed?

External doors, external windows and unsealed wall vents. Gaps around doors and windows are sealed around the full edge, without stopping them from opening, closing and locking normally.

Do I need a gas safety check first?

If the home has gas appliances, yes. A licensed gasfitter must carry out a gas safety check before the draughtproofing, and it must be less than six months old when the work is finished. If it finds unflued or open-flued gas appliances, the draughtproofing must not go ahead until they are dealt with.

Does the rule require double glazing?

No. It asks for draughtproofing, not new glass. Double glazing is a separate upgrade an owner may choose.

Are heritage or strata properties exempt?

There are exemptions, and guides mention heritage and owners corporation rules among them. Check the regulations or ask Consumer Affairs Victoria about your property before relying on one.

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#draught seals#rental minimum standards#property managers#sliding doors

Glassy Slide team

We supply and install double-glazed aluminium windows and doors, alfresco enclosures and glass partitions, and repair timber windows across Melbourne from our base in Bundoora. 5.0 ★ on Google.

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