Renters' lock rights in Victoria: changing locks, keys and who pays

The short answer

Yes, renters in Victoria can change or rekey the locks, but in most cases only with the rental provider's consent, and the provider must not unreasonably refuse. The renter pays and must give new keys to the rental provider and other renters. Renters protected by a family violence or personal safety intervention order can change external locks without permission.

That's the rule in one paragraph, taken from Consumer Affairs Victoria. Underneath it sit a few other rules renters and rental providers trip over: what locks a rental legally needs, who pays for spare keys, what counts as an urgent lock repair, and what security gear a renter can fit without asking at all.

Locksmiths get these questions at the door every week, usually from someone who has just moved in, lost a key, or had a housemate leave on bad terms. This page sets out the answers in order, with the official source for each, and finishes with a one-page checklist you can print or send to your property manager.

What locks must a Victorian rental property have?

Victoria's rental minimum standards set a floor for security. According to Consumer Affairs Victoria: Minimum standards for rental properties:

• External entry doors must have functioning deadlocks, defined as a deadlatch with at least one cylinder, or be fitted with locks that unlock with a key from the outside but without a key from the inside.
• External windows that open must have a functioning latch to secure them against entry from outside, and must be able to be left open or closed.

There are exceptions, including doors that physically can't take a deadlock, screen doors, some heritage-registered properties and secured building entrances. The standards apply to rental agreements that started on or after 29 March 2021, and to older agreements that rolled over to periodic (month-to-month) on or after that date.

In plain terms: if the front or back door only has a knob lock with a push button, or a window has no working latch, the property is probably below the standard. A locksmith can tell you on the spot whether the existing hardware qualifies, and quote to bring it up to standard. That quote goes to the rental provider, because meeting the minimum standards is their job, not the renter's.

Can a renter change the locks in Victoria?

Yes, with consent. Consumer Affairs Victoria: Locks and security sets out how it works:

• The renter must get the rental provider's consent before changing a lock.
• The rental provider must not unreasonably refuse, and a refusal without a good reason can be challenged at VCAT.
• The renter organises and pays for the change.
• New keys go to the rental provider and any other renters as soon as possible.

In practice, rekeying is usually what renters want rather than new hardware. The locksmith resets the cylinder already on the door so old keys stop working, which is cheaper, quick, and leaves the rental provider's hardware in place. In Geelong, rekeying typically runs about $30 to $70 per cylinder plus a call-out. The rekey and lock change page explains what's involved.

How to ask for consent

Put it in writing, even if you also ring. A short email to the property manager works:

• Which locks you want changed or rekeyed and why (lost keys, a housemate moved out, keys never returned by the previous renter).
• That you'll arrange and pay for it, and that you'll provide a key to the agency the same day.
• When you'd like it done.

Most agencies say yes quickly, and some will book their own locksmith. Keep the email and the locksmith's invoice. If your keys went missing with your address, see what to do in the lost house keys guide, because urgency changes the conversation.

Can renters change the locks without permission?

Only in one situation. Consumer Affairs Victoria says renters with a family violence intervention order, a family violence safety notice or a personal safety intervention order don't need the rental provider's or agent's permission to change the external locks. The renter must then give the rental provider a copy of the order and new keys, and the excluded person must not be given a key.

If that's you, a locksmith can usually rekey every external door in one visit. Tell them it's a safety situation when you call. Confidential support is available from 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, 24 hours a day. If you're in immediate danger, call 000.

Outside that exception, changing locks without consent risks a dispute with the rental provider, and potentially a claim for the cost of putting the original locks back. Asking first is almost always faster than arguing later.

What security changes can renters make without asking?

Victoria's modification rules let renters make some changes without consent and others with consent that can't be unreasonably refused. According to Consumer Affairs Victoria: Renters making changes to the property:

At the end of the tenancy, renters must restore the property to how it was before the change (allowing for fair wear and tear) or pay the reasonable cost of restoring it, unless the rental provider agrees otherwise, it's written into the agreement, or a modification bond was paid. For a rekeyed lock, that usually just means handing over every key.

Who pays for locks, keys and lock repairs?

This is where most disputes start. Here's how the costs usually fall under Consumer Affairs Victoria's rules.

If the cost is genuinely in dispute, Consumer Affairs Victoria and tenancy advice services can help before anything goes to VCAT.

Is a broken lock an urgent repair?

Often, yes. Consumer Affairs Victoria: Repairs in rental properties lists any fault or damage that makes the property unsafe or insecure as an urgent repair, and rental providers must make sure urgent repairs are done immediately. A front door that won't lock, a jammed deadlock or a smashed window latch all fit that description.

If the renter has told the rental provider and hasn't had a prompt response, the renter can arrange the urgent repair themselves as long as it costs no more than $2,500. The rental provider must then reimburse the renter within 7 days of receiving written notice. Non-urgent repairs have a longer timeframe of 14 days from the request.

From a locksmith's side, a few habits make this go smoothly:

• Try the agency's after-hours number first and send an email or text so there's a record.
• Take photos of the broken lock before anything is touched.
• Ask the locksmith for an invoice that describes the fault and the fix, not just "lock repair".
• Send the invoice to the agency in writing the same day.

A renter who is simply locked out because the keys are inside isn't dealing with an urgent repair. That's a lockout, and the renter pays for it.

Can the rental provider keep a key or change the locks?

Yes, the rental provider can keep copies of all keys, according to Consumer Affairs Victoria. Holding a key doesn't let them come and go as they please, though. Entry is limited to specific reasons with notice, and Consumer Affairs Victoria publishes the entry rules.

When a renter changes or rekeys a lock with consent, the provider is entitled to a new key. When the provider wants to change locks between tenancies, which is good practice, they arrange and pay for it themselves. Rekeying between renters is one of the most common jobs Geelong locksmiths do for property managers, because nobody can be sure how many copies of the old key are still floating around.

What should Geelong renters know before calling a locksmith?

A few local patterns come up again and again. Share houses and older rentals around Geelong West often have original timber doors with tired locks, and housemates come and go, so rekeying after someone moves out is a common request. Student rentals near Deakin's campus in Waurn Ponds turn over every year, which is exactly when keys go missing or don't get returned.

Whatever the suburb, tell the locksmith you're renting when you call. A careful locksmith will ask for proof you live there before working on the locks, and will make sure the invoice shows what was done so it can go to the agency. Ask for enough keys for every renter plus one for the rental provider.

This site is a free referral service: your request goes to an independent local locksmith, who confirms the price and timing with you directly.

Printable renters' lock checklist

Free to print, share with housemates or send to your property manager. Use your browser's print option and the page prints without the menus and forms. Agencies, tenant groups and student housing services are welcome to share it; a link back to this page is appreciated.

When you move in

• Each renter on the agreement has a free set of keys, including any swipe cards or remotes needed to get in.
• Every external entry door has a working deadlock (a deadlatch with at least one cylinder) or a lock that opens with a key from outside and without one from inside.
• Every external window that opens has a working latch.
• Note anything that doesn't work on the condition report and email the agency.

If you want to change or rekey a lock

• Ask the rental provider in writing first and keep the reply.
• Book the locksmith, pay the invoice and keep it.
• Give a new key to the rental provider and every other renter straight away.
• Exception: with a family violence or personal safety intervention order, you can change external locks without permission. Give the provider a copy of the order and a key.

If a lock breaks

• Tell the agency in writing straight away. A lock that leaves the home insecure is an urgent repair.
• Photograph the damage.
• No prompt response? You can arrange the repair up to $2,500 and claim it back within 7 days of written notice.

When you move out

• Return every key, remote and swipe card.
• Remove or restore any modifications, unless the provider agreed in writing that they can stay.

Sources

All rules on this page are from Consumer Affairs Victoria: Consumer Affairs Victoria: Locks and security; Consumer Affairs Victoria: Minimum standards for rental properties; Consumer Affairs Victoria: Renters making changes to the property; and Consumer Affairs Victoria: Repairs in rental properties. Disputes can go to VCAT. Rekeying prices are indicative Geelong ranges from this site's price guide. This page is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, contact Consumer Affairs Victoria or a tenancy advice service.

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