The rental dates a Preston landlord needs
Now
Every rental needs a fixed heater in good working order in the main living area. For agreements made since 29 March 2023, it must be an energy efficient one.
From 13 October 2026
Gas and electrical safety checks every two years apply to every Victorian rental, not just newer agreements.
From 1 March 2027
If the main living area heater permanently fails, its replacement must be efficient electric. A new agreement, or one going month-to-month, needs an efficient fixed cooler in the main living area too.
From 1 July 2030
Every rental must have fixed cooling, whenever the lease started.
Preston's homes
Settled early
Victorian Places says Preston's residential subdivisions began in the 1880s along Plenty Road and High Street, growth picked up in the 1920s, and by 1930 most suburban streets east and west were fully settled.
Postwar Commission housing
Between 1947 and 1966 the Housing Commission built about 2600 dwellings in east Preston and Reservoir. By 1966, 11% of the old Preston municipality lived in them.
Smaller homes
At the 2021 Census, 55.7% of homes were separate houses, 24.9% semi-detached or townhouses and 18.3% flats. 35.6% had two bedrooms and 38.9% three.
Heritage streets
Darebin's heritage exemptions plan lists Preston precincts at Carlisle Street, Garnet Street, Larne Grove and Roxburgh Street, Livingstone Parade and Milton Crescent. In them, services can go in without a permit if they're kept off the front wall and out of the front yard, stay below the roof's highest point, and avoid any roof face that looks onto a street.
What suits a Preston rental or home
In a two or three-bedroom house or a flat, one efficient reverse cycle split in the main living area can meet both the 2027 heating and cooling standards, provided it has at least a 2 star heating rating and 3 star cooling rating for the area. That's usually the simplest way for a landlord to cover both.
A working gas heater can stay. Book its two-yearly safety check with a gasfitter endorsed for Type A appliance servicing, and give the renter a copy of the record if they ask in writing.
What we'd do
What we'd do in Preston
Landlords: don't wait for the old heater to die in July. Put in one efficient reverse cycle split in the living area now, and both 2027 standards are covered. Owners in heritage streets: pick a side or rear spot for the outdoor unit and confirm with Darebin first.
Sending a Preston job
Tell us the job and your postcode. Licence-checked installers near Preston who do that kind of work can see it, and only the one who takes it gets your details. If nobody near Preston has taken it after 48 hours, installers elsewhere in Victoria may see it as well.
